Post by Heather on Apr 28, 2015 13:02:53 GMT -5
Name: Ellie
HF Forum Username: ellie
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: Born 4/30/1990
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I found a couple of video's supporting natural diets on Youtube. As I became more invested in my own diet, I grew more curious about my ferret's diet. I finally asked my vet what they thought, and they said simply, "Would you rather eat cereal your whole life, or a steak? The natural diet is better."
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to.
I am unsure what kind of diet I want to put my ferrets on. I don't want to feed them living animals, but whole prey is fine.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I'm interested because I want my ferrets to be healthy, and happy. I also have an aging ferret, who's had trouble eating kibble. I'm hoping a raw diet will be easier for her to eat. And I want to be a better ferrent. I wish I had done this long ago.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
YES! Now is the best time.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
I have three ferrets.
Gnarhwal: age 5-6 yrs, male, no health problems. My biggest ferret.
Slinky: age 5-8 yrs, female, some minor digestion issues, (She's been losing weight, vet wasn't concerned) The Smallest ferret.
Pali: age 4 last December, male, no health problems, good weight.
I have had Slinky and Gnarwhal for 4 years, their previous owner didn't know their approximate age.
I adopted Pali February this year.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
I fed them MARSHALS. it was the only ferret food in my small town of Gunnison, so I trusted it. Pali's previous owner also fed him Marshals.
Last week I switched to another kibble since I learned more about the Marshals company. It seemed ZUPREEM PREMIUM FERRET DIET had better ingredients compared to others in the store. The ferrets like it so far, so I'll use that as their kibble till they've switched to a natural diet.
I give them Ferret Tone and have used Kitten Hairball Ttreatment/Marshal's Ferret Lax for clicker training and nail trimming. But have recently learned of the high sugar content and would like to switch to other kinds of treats.
Slinky on occasion, if she's losing weight, gets turkey baby food, or canned chicken cat food (I try to find the kind that has only chicken, which is absurdly hard to do.) Only small amounts. Often, I blend her kibble up and mix it with water so it's easier to eat.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Slinky has the most diverse taste, she likes all kinds of treats and foods. so I think she will transition easier. She struggles with the crunchy kibble. She's had diarrhea many times, we've given her antibiotics many times, but it always comes back after a few months in bouts. I go to the recommended ferret vet in Colorado, and they think she has sensitive bowels. They recommend blending her food, but otherwise she seems perfectly healthy. According to her teeth, Slinky is surprisingly old. She's doing really well. Happy and bouncing around. But with her age, she might need a different diet than the boys.
Gnarwhal turns his nose up to everything, even treats. I'm afraid he will be harder to teach. I don't know yet about Pali.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor ( Bella ), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
HF Forum Username: ellie
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: Born 4/30/1990
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I found a couple of video's supporting natural diets on Youtube. As I became more invested in my own diet, I grew more curious about my ferret's diet. I finally asked my vet what they thought, and they said simply, "Would you rather eat cereal your whole life, or a steak? The natural diet is better."
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to.
I am unsure what kind of diet I want to put my ferrets on. I don't want to feed them living animals, but whole prey is fine.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I'm interested because I want my ferrets to be healthy, and happy. I also have an aging ferret, who's had trouble eating kibble. I'm hoping a raw diet will be easier for her to eat. And I want to be a better ferrent. I wish I had done this long ago.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
YES! Now is the best time.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
I have three ferrets.
Gnarhwal: age 5-6 yrs, male, no health problems. My biggest ferret.
Slinky: age 5-8 yrs, female, some minor digestion issues, (She's been losing weight, vet wasn't concerned) The Smallest ferret.
Pali: age 4 last December, male, no health problems, good weight.
I have had Slinky and Gnarwhal for 4 years, their previous owner didn't know their approximate age.
I adopted Pali February this year.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
I fed them MARSHALS. it was the only ferret food in my small town of Gunnison, so I trusted it. Pali's previous owner also fed him Marshals.
Last week I switched to another kibble since I learned more about the Marshals company. It seemed ZUPREEM PREMIUM FERRET DIET had better ingredients compared to others in the store. The ferrets like it so far, so I'll use that as their kibble till they've switched to a natural diet.
I give them Ferret Tone and have used Kitten Hairball Ttreatment/Marshal's Ferret Lax for clicker training and nail trimming. But have recently learned of the high sugar content and would like to switch to other kinds of treats.
Slinky on occasion, if she's losing weight, gets turkey baby food, or canned chicken cat food (I try to find the kind that has only chicken, which is absurdly hard to do.) Only small amounts. Often, I blend her kibble up and mix it with water so it's easier to eat.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Slinky has the most diverse taste, she likes all kinds of treats and foods. so I think she will transition easier. She struggles with the crunchy kibble. She's had diarrhea many times, we've given her antibiotics many times, but it always comes back after a few months in bouts. I go to the recommended ferret vet in Colorado, and they think she has sensitive bowels. They recommend blending her food, but otherwise she seems perfectly healthy. According to her teeth, Slinky is surprisingly old. She's doing really well. Happy and bouncing around. But with her age, she might need a different diet than the boys.
Gnarwhal turns his nose up to everything, even treats. I'm afraid he will be harder to teach. I don't know yet about Pali.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Everyday.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor ( Bella ), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao