|
|
Post by melcab on May 18, 2011 20:38:58 GMT -5
I'm new. I don't even have any ferrets yet (that's another story lol). I am doing as much research as possible beforehand. For now, my questions are:
Which is better, freeze dried or frozen?
Also why are the protein and fat percentages of frozen so much lower than the freeze dried? Don't they need around 40% protein, etc?
--Mel
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on May 18, 2011 21:30:18 GMT -5
The difference in the protein levels are all because of the moisture. The dried has a higher concentration because it's dry. Rehydrate it, and it's the same.
Diet in order of the ideal:
Whole prey
Raw meaty bones/whole prey
Home grind/Raw meaty bones
Home grind
Commercial frozen raw, freeze dried rehydrated/home grind
Commercial raw, FD rehydrat.
quality kibble/raw
quality kibble
In other words, freeze dried raw rehydrated is not really any different than commercial frozen raw nutrition wise. As long as you get a good one meant for obligate carnivores. You still want to avoid vegetable and fruit in it as much as you can.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 1:09:06 GMT -5
And freeze dried is ALWAYS good to have on hand, in case you need a sitter or something to feed at the vet.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 20, 2011 23:31:09 GMT -5
Freeze dried is my preference because shipping cost for frozen food is waaaay too much. Also freeze dried helps clean their teeth better then frozen.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on May 21, 2011 10:11:01 GMT -5
Except that freeze dried should be fed rehydrated. It is certainly far better than kibble, but the dehydration risks are exactly the same when always served dry.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 21, 2011 13:11:04 GMT -5
Is that due to the fact that a ferret lacks the urge to drink enough to fully hydrate them?
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on May 21, 2011 14:40:42 GMT -5
Yes, it is. They do drink, but it's never quite enough to fully hydrate them. Which is why vomiting in a kibble fed ferret is so much more serious than in a raw fed one.
A good example is Boris. He's had diarrhea almost consistently for over a month now, yet the vet still doesn't find him to be dehydrated. That's due to the moisture in the raw.
|
|
