Post by Heather on Nov 11, 2015 0:59:00 GMT -5
Sep 6, 2015 at 1:40pm Scarlett & Jami said:
Name: Scarlett & Jami Denman
Forum Username: Scarlett
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: yes we both are
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
From our vet, Dr. Susan Dryer in Vermont and reading a Ferrets for Dummies.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
We want to do raw, chicken, beef, pork, fresh sardines, smelt, heart, liver, kidneys – we have bought already and are prepping today. We tried to search and purchase pinkies but the shipping was really high. We will purchase from a grocery or butcher locally. We have now purchased and sliced, chopped, slivered, ground up from 2oz to 4 oz packages of chicken, pork, heart, liver, kidney, beef, turkey necks, bone in and boneless. All are in packages in the freezer. Gomez is hand fed and eating ground steak and some chicken this week.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet? We feel it is the best diet, most natural for our babies.
After reading for weeks on Holistic Ferrets on facebook we are even more convinced.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. 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. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the neccessary time commitment?
Yes, we both are invested in this for a healthy long life of our fur babies.
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?
UPDATE- We have Gomez Denman, he is a approx. 2 years old male. To our knowledge Gomez does not have any health issues. We drove to Cleveland last week to get him, the young girl who had him did not have time to let him out much, she rescued him 4 months ago from what she said was a bad situation. The lady who had him just did not want him anymore and was going to leave him, he had been in a cat carrier in a basement or garage in Ohio. . Jami and I feel we might be his 4th home - one thing is for certain this will be his forever home. The reason we feel like we are is he is great on a leash, very potty trained, super sweet, nail trimming is easy, eats well, playful, not at all a nipper, very quite not very vocal. He loves loves to get outside and play and roam, run so we feel someone took a lot of time and love early in his life.
Jami and I have had him since last Saturday 9/26, we drove back home to NH and on Sunday he weighted 1067 grams/2.5 lbs, he is bottom heavy and everyone has said on the FB Holistic Forum could be from not much time out of the cage. He has a large 2 story condo here and a second 1 story upstairs for nighttime with us.
We had one for 3 months but our Bella Marie passed away at 6 months, the vet did everything she could for 4 days, not sure but the vet thinks she had an ulcer. We did not know as much about raw then and were feeding her Marshalls premium food…..now we know so much more. Our hearts are still broken as she was an awesome girl. We are waiting to get a hob and jill in the next month who are still kits.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Gomez is on Kaytee Fortified Diet, super premium, with chicken Ferret food, dry - right now but we have been giving him raw chicken thigh and ground steak which he likes but still not eating much so he is on his Kaytee. We plan to make soupy today, have 8 oz chicken thigh thawing now.
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?
Jami, my wife and I live in the US in New Hampshire, both work in healthcare, I was pre-med till residency and changed my major to administration, Jami is in finance area of the hospital. We are both very much animal lovers, I am the one who when a stray or injured in on the road I stop to help them or take to a shelter for resuce. We have a 8 year old tuxedo cat, Oreo and had a dog, Zac but he crossed the rainbow bridge on Sept 4, I miss him terribly. We have Gomez now, yippie
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer? Each day
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible). Will do when we get them
11. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
done and yes
We have made some changes to the mentoring program to better help you, your ferrets, and your mentor! Here they are:
Please read below, and then these links:
holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4340
holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4343
holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4344
holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4341
holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4342
THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO YOUR FERRET EATING A RAW DIET IS YOU! YOU MUST BE ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED THIS IS THE BEST THING FOR THEM, AND BE WILLING TO DO WHAT IS NEEDED, FOR AS LONG AS IT IS NEEDED
Before being accepted for a mentor, you must have a few things already on hand.
1. a scale for weighing your ferret- preferably in grams. Yes, we have a digital scale that will weigh in grams to pounds.
2. All the makings for a puree soup, unless your ferret is already past the soup stage. This includes chicken(or other meat), liver, heart, and eggshell powder. This you get by rinsing out eggshells, drying them, and then pulverizing them with either a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder(clean, of course ;D )
We have all the meat and have local eggs and will be making eggshell powder, not sure how long the powder can keep but will ask you all.
3. Initial picture of ferret before starting switch. Ok will do, I am sure they will come from being on the mush or soap.
Soup for switch:
8oz chicken(or other meat)
1oz liver (about One half chicken liver)
1oz heart (about 2 chicken hearts)
1/2 to 3/4 tsp bone meal or powdered egg shell
If these things are not already on hand, your request will be moved back into the application thread, and the next person accepted instead.
The following form is to be filled out weekly so we can keep better tabs on not only how the switch is going, but on the health of your ferret. As well as any potential risks that may arise if they are not eating enough at certain sections of their switch.
Please copy/paste this very short questionnaire into your switching thread every Sunday/Monday.
1. Ferret's name:
2. Ferret's weight:
3. Ferret has eaten "X" amount on average per meal.
4. Stools on various proteins.
5. Activity levels:
6. Weekly menu:
Example would be:
Vincent, 3lbs 2oz(1417g), small chicken wing chopped into 2" pieces, bone and all. Stools good colour and consistency. Played as per normal.
Willow, 1lb 4oz(567g), 2 tbsp commercial raw turkey, hand fed. Stools good colour and consistency. Very hyper when up, playing for 2-3 hours at a time.
Mr. Frodo, 4lb 4oz(1928g), 1/4c pork slivers mixed with soup. Stools slightly loose, somewhat seedy, and pale in colour. Somewhat more tired, plays for 30 minutes, then finds somewhere to sleep. Flat ferreting more often.
Weekly menu was:
Monday: chicken legs
Tuesday: Commercial raw
Wednesday: Soup with pork slivers
Etc. Just write what you actually fed them.
Also, to help us make sure your ferret is doing well during his switch, a picture from above showing his body shape clearly would be appreciated bi-weekly, but is not essential.
You are required to post every second day during the "soup" stage of the transition. From the "sliver" stage, through to large chunks, you will be required to post a minimum of every 3 days. Once you hit the large chunks, once a week will be acceptable.
If you wish to post into your thread more often, that will be MORE than welcome The above are simply the minimum requirements so we can help with sticky spots, and not have to "catch up" to where you are presently at. Failure to post as required will result in your switch coming to a standstill and will result in two warnings before being dropped from the mentoring program.
If something comes up, and you need to be away, please contact your mentor letting her know how long you will be absent.
FAILURE TO SUPPLY THE ABOVE QUESTIONNAIRE WILL RESULT IN TWO WARNINGS, ONE ISSUED IN THE SWITCHING THREAD, THEN NEXT VIA PM- THEN BEING DROPPED FROM THE MENTORING PROGRAM. BEING DROPPED FROM THE MENTORING THREAD WILL BE AT MY DISCRETION
You may request readmittance to the mentoring program if you agree to abide by the above rules. But you must wait for the next available mentor.
PLEASE NOTE that by applying for a mentor and using the forum you are agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions as set in this thread: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/1585/rules-regulations-terms-read-sign
Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/61/sign-mentoring-program#ixzz3kynqSnb8
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor (Gfountain), 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
Name: Scarlett & Jami Denman
Forum Username: Scarlett
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: yes we both are
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
From our vet, Dr. Susan Dryer in Vermont and reading a Ferrets for Dummies.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
We want to do raw, chicken, beef, pork, fresh sardines, smelt, heart, liver, kidneys – we have bought already and are prepping today. We tried to search and purchase pinkies but the shipping was really high. We will purchase from a grocery or butcher locally. We have now purchased and sliced, chopped, slivered, ground up from 2oz to 4 oz packages of chicken, pork, heart, liver, kidney, beef, turkey necks, bone in and boneless. All are in packages in the freezer. Gomez is hand fed and eating ground steak and some chicken this week.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet? We feel it is the best diet, most natural for our babies.
After reading for weeks on Holistic Ferrets on facebook we are even more convinced.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. 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. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the neccessary time commitment?
Yes, we both are invested in this for a healthy long life of our fur babies.
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?
UPDATE- We have Gomez Denman, he is a approx. 2 years old male. To our knowledge Gomez does not have any health issues. We drove to Cleveland last week to get him, the young girl who had him did not have time to let him out much, she rescued him 4 months ago from what she said was a bad situation. The lady who had him just did not want him anymore and was going to leave him, he had been in a cat carrier in a basement or garage in Ohio. . Jami and I feel we might be his 4th home - one thing is for certain this will be his forever home. The reason we feel like we are is he is great on a leash, very potty trained, super sweet, nail trimming is easy, eats well, playful, not at all a nipper, very quite not very vocal. He loves loves to get outside and play and roam, run so we feel someone took a lot of time and love early in his life.
Jami and I have had him since last Saturday 9/26, we drove back home to NH and on Sunday he weighted 1067 grams/2.5 lbs, he is bottom heavy and everyone has said on the FB Holistic Forum could be from not much time out of the cage. He has a large 2 story condo here and a second 1 story upstairs for nighttime with us.
We had one for 3 months but our Bella Marie passed away at 6 months, the vet did everything she could for 4 days, not sure but the vet thinks she had an ulcer. We did not know as much about raw then and were feeding her Marshalls premium food…..now we know so much more. Our hearts are still broken as she was an awesome girl. We are waiting to get a hob and jill in the next month who are still kits.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Gomez is on Kaytee Fortified Diet, super premium, with chicken Ferret food, dry - right now but we have been giving him raw chicken thigh and ground steak which he likes but still not eating much so he is on his Kaytee. We plan to make soupy today, have 8 oz chicken thigh thawing now.
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?
Jami, my wife and I live in the US in New Hampshire, both work in healthcare, I was pre-med till residency and changed my major to administration, Jami is in finance area of the hospital. We are both very much animal lovers, I am the one who when a stray or injured in on the road I stop to help them or take to a shelter for resuce. We have a 8 year old tuxedo cat, Oreo and had a dog, Zac but he crossed the rainbow bridge on Sept 4, I miss him terribly. We have Gomez now, yippie
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer? Each day
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible). Will do when we get them
11. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
done and yes
We have made some changes to the mentoring program to better help you, your ferrets, and your mentor! Here they are:
Please read below, and then these links:
holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4340
holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4343
holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4344
holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4341
holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=4342
THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO YOUR FERRET EATING A RAW DIET IS YOU! YOU MUST BE ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED THIS IS THE BEST THING FOR THEM, AND BE WILLING TO DO WHAT IS NEEDED, FOR AS LONG AS IT IS NEEDED
Before being accepted for a mentor, you must have a few things already on hand.
1. a scale for weighing your ferret- preferably in grams. Yes, we have a digital scale that will weigh in grams to pounds.
2. All the makings for a puree soup, unless your ferret is already past the soup stage. This includes chicken(or other meat), liver, heart, and eggshell powder. This you get by rinsing out eggshells, drying them, and then pulverizing them with either a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder(clean, of course ;D )
We have all the meat and have local eggs and will be making eggshell powder, not sure how long the powder can keep but will ask you all.
3. Initial picture of ferret before starting switch. Ok will do, I am sure they will come from being on the mush or soap.
Soup for switch:
8oz chicken(or other meat)
1oz liver (about One half chicken liver)
1oz heart (about 2 chicken hearts)
1/2 to 3/4 tsp bone meal or powdered egg shell
If these things are not already on hand, your request will be moved back into the application thread, and the next person accepted instead.
The following form is to be filled out weekly so we can keep better tabs on not only how the switch is going, but on the health of your ferret. As well as any potential risks that may arise if they are not eating enough at certain sections of their switch.
Please copy/paste this very short questionnaire into your switching thread every Sunday/Monday.
1. Ferret's name:
2. Ferret's weight:
3. Ferret has eaten "X" amount on average per meal.
4. Stools on various proteins.
5. Activity levels:
6. Weekly menu:
Example would be:
Vincent, 3lbs 2oz(1417g), small chicken wing chopped into 2" pieces, bone and all. Stools good colour and consistency. Played as per normal.
Willow, 1lb 4oz(567g), 2 tbsp commercial raw turkey, hand fed. Stools good colour and consistency. Very hyper when up, playing for 2-3 hours at a time.
Mr. Frodo, 4lb 4oz(1928g), 1/4c pork slivers mixed with soup. Stools slightly loose, somewhat seedy, and pale in colour. Somewhat more tired, plays for 30 minutes, then finds somewhere to sleep. Flat ferreting more often.
Weekly menu was:
Monday: chicken legs
Tuesday: Commercial raw
Wednesday: Soup with pork slivers
Etc. Just write what you actually fed them.
Also, to help us make sure your ferret is doing well during his switch, a picture from above showing his body shape clearly would be appreciated bi-weekly, but is not essential.
You are required to post every second day during the "soup" stage of the transition. From the "sliver" stage, through to large chunks, you will be required to post a minimum of every 3 days. Once you hit the large chunks, once a week will be acceptable.
If you wish to post into your thread more often, that will be MORE than welcome The above are simply the minimum requirements so we can help with sticky spots, and not have to "catch up" to where you are presently at. Failure to post as required will result in your switch coming to a standstill and will result in two warnings before being dropped from the mentoring program.
If something comes up, and you need to be away, please contact your mentor letting her know how long you will be absent.
FAILURE TO SUPPLY THE ABOVE QUESTIONNAIRE WILL RESULT IN TWO WARNINGS, ONE ISSUED IN THE SWITCHING THREAD, THEN NEXT VIA PM- THEN BEING DROPPED FROM THE MENTORING PROGRAM. BEING DROPPED FROM THE MENTORING THREAD WILL BE AT MY DISCRETION
You may request readmittance to the mentoring program if you agree to abide by the above rules. But you must wait for the next available mentor.
PLEASE NOTE that by applying for a mentor and using the forum you are agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions as set in this thread: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/1585/rules-regulations-terms-read-sign
Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/61/sign-mentoring-program#ixzz3kynqSnb8
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor (Gfountain), 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