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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2015 23:19:26 GMT -5
So i saw on here yesterday (while doing research) a lot of posts about olive oil and other such oils and how a lot of ferrents use them as a supplement to a raw diet. I looked and looked but couldnt figure out why. Is it the omega 3s and 6s? And also which ones are safe/how much should i give them if i do? (a crash course would be great as the concept has totally eluded me). Also are there any negatives to giving oils as supplements?
Thanks!
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Post by FireAngel on Jul 9, 2015 23:24:37 GMT -5
A lot of ferrents use the oils instead of ferretone. The ferretone has a cancer causing agent in it and therefore if you can get your beasties to enjoy the oils you can use that instead of ferretone.
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Post by katt on Jul 10, 2015 1:18:08 GMT -5
Fish and salmon oils are full of good omega fatty acids that are really beneficial to skin and coats.
Extra virgin olive oil has antioxidants and has been shown to have possible protective qualities against ulcers. While it is a plant-based product and has not been studied directly in ferrets, the ulcer protective factor means it's a good option for ferrets with IBD or who are ulcer prone. Even if a ferret doesn't have tummy problems, EVOO is still better than Ferretone
Coconut oil is a can of worms IMO. There is a thread floating around you could read. Basically we know very little about it for humans and have NO idea whether the supposed antioxidant properties really apply to carnivores. Additionally, some studies indicated possible detrimental effects when used for cats. I know lots of people rave about the stuff, but personally I fail to see why you would want to feed a carnivore a plant-based product that has no solid evidence of a clear/specific benefit. Then add to that the studies that indicated it be harmful...not worth it IMO. Even if those studies are later disproven why take the risk? Like I said - plant based, no known specific benefit, obligate carnivore....
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Post by raynebc on Jul 10, 2015 3:31:55 GMT -5
Salmon oil smells strongly, but after my ferrets got over that and after they'd had a couple samples they loved it. My boy ferret will forget he likes it if it's been a while since last time but as soon as it touches his tongue it all comes back to him.
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Post by lyles on Jul 10, 2015 3:50:24 GMT -5
What about hemp oil? CBD is also gaining popularity as a cancer fighter.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2015 3:47:06 GMT -5
I used extra virgin olive oil to supplement their diets (I use salmon oil now) and when I had to do nail trimming I would put a drop of it on their tummies so they would concentrate on licking that off and I can calmy trim their nails with no drama
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2015 5:41:29 GMT -5
I used extra virgin olive oil to supplement their diets (I use salmon oil now) and when I had to do nail trimming I would put a drop of it on their tummies so they would concentrate on licking that off and I can calmy trim their nails with no drama How much do you recommend i give them? And how often?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2015 5:52:29 GMT -5
Since olive oil is vegetable based I don't know how much is recommended, I only gave them a few drops every 3 days or so. Salmon oil you can add some drops to their food every day or as a treat it is ok to use in a daily basis.
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Post by bitbyter on Jul 11, 2015 9:22:18 GMT -5
I think of it this way. Obligate carnivore = animal based diet. Also, olive oil is one of the most corrupt food markets in the world. Most olive oil is adulterated with other oils so you have no idea if you are getting the real stuff regardless of what the label says.
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Post by FireAngel on Jul 11, 2015 9:35:48 GMT -5
Here is something that @poncesmom put together About oils, it may help answer a lot of things for you. 0.5mls a day is plenty, I don't think I would give anymore then that. 1/2tsb every three days is all they really need.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2015 9:51:50 GMT -5
So i saw on here yesterday (while doing research) a lot of posts about olive oil and other such oils and how a lot of ferrents use them as a supplement to a raw diet. I looked and looked but couldnt figure out why. Is it the omega 3s and 6s? And also which ones are safe/how much should i give them if i do? (a crash course would be great as the concept has totally eluded me). Also are there any negatives to giving oils as supplements? Thanks! Mine have never liked extra virgin olive oil. They were okay with olive oil as long as it wasn't EVOO. I bought a fish oil and they didn't like that. So, I bought another brand, Wild Grizzly salmon oil and slowly introduced them to that. I've read that the reason that humans evolved into thinking sentient beings is because we learned to eat fish. The Omega's are brain food. Where as the apes and chimps did not take that next step. Now, I don't know if this is fact but I've seen it in several studies as a theory of evolution. True or not, it's interesting. The Omega Fatty acid thread that FireAngel linked has some very good info for you. The negatives would be loose poops. Consistently loose poops can lead to a prolapse of the anus. Since Omega fatty acids are found in meats and plants, I avoid the plant based Omega's. Just my preference. I know some Ferrents like coconut oil and evoo. I prefer the fish oils and eggs for Omega fatty acids. I love all these questions that you asking. Anyone who does alot of research, makes me so happy. (dance)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2015 22:29:12 GMT -5
Thanks for all the great info everyone! I planned on giving raw eggs in my diet anyways so i think I'll just try salmon oil first since it seems most people switch eventually to that and because I don't want to take a chance on olive oil. Thanks everyone!
@poncesmom I feel like I'm driving everyone crazy with all my questions because I'm still so new to HFF. :/ But I'm glad someone thinks it's a good thing!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2015 2:14:32 GMT -5
Thanks for all the great info everyone! I planned on giving raw eggs in my diet anyways so i think I'll just try salmon oil first since it seems most people switch eventually to that and because I don't want to take a chance on olive oil. Thanks everyone! @poncesmom I feel like I'm driving everyone crazy with all my questions because I'm still so new to HFF. :/ But I'm glad someone thinks it's a good thing! Don't you worry about that a bit. Asking questions makes us happy. It shows that you are caring and interested in doing the best for your little guys. I must have asked a million questions when I joined and I had been a ferrent for seven years. Plus this was my first forum and couldn't navigate around well, so I repeated myself.
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Post by FireAngel on Jul 12, 2015 9:08:36 GMT -5
Ask, ask ,ask! We are happy to help you!
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Post by msav on Jul 12, 2015 9:54:02 GMT -5
I started mine out on grizzly salmon oil, they took to it right away. I then got the Iceland Pure Unscented. They did not take to it right away, in fact a couple of mine wont take it at all.
I don't know why they call it unscented. Smells like salmon to me.
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