So for this past month, my 3 have been eating between a raw pudding and grind, with the occasional chunks once in a while. They have been really good at eating, they eat about 1.7-2oz 2x a day each. For the last two days im lucky if i can get them to eat 2oz between the 3 of them. Im at a loss, feeling my hard work over the last month has just been tossed aside. I can tell they are hungry, they are unsettled. I dont know what to do besides go back to square one again and hand feed them 2x a day. They just seem to sniff the food in their dishes and walk a way. Trying to implement a scheduled feeding time as well, they are just so used to 'grazing' with their kibble when ever. I feel anxious about it, that they arent eating and arent satisfied. What should I do?
Hi @angeliklark !
When you first transition, ferrets will sometimes eat a lot more, but as they adjust, they cut back a considerate amount. Do you have girls, boys or both? Girls can eat pretty little. My little girl, Haru, Eats around 1 oz a day at the moment. When she started transitioning, she was eating up to 3oz per meal. I've heard of some who have had females eat under 1oz, usually its during summer or depending on the ferret.
Tell me more about this. How do they appear unsettled exactly?
This is normal in my books.
My ferrets "Graze". I have three ferrets, one girl, two boys and all of them eat at different times. I feed, same time every morning and every night and they will all come up, sniff and go back to bed, or do something else. I have times where 1 ferret may eat at the time of feeding, or 2 if I'm lucky, or none at all. However, when I'm gone, they may eat when they feel like it. When you feed, is it done in a cage? Or outside during play time? Sometimes during playtime, ferrets will get so excited that they have no interest for the food, and prefer to run off and play- but will come back when they feel like eating, snacking or stashing. lol.
Some ferrets prefer to eat in their own time, or with privacy. Ferrets usually come out at dusk or dawn, in the wild these are perfect times for them to hunt, bring back their food and eat. I sometimes find my boys up at those times when they decide they are hungry enough to eat.
When seasons come into play, you will notice a decrease and or increase in how much they eat.
Usually summer, they will eat less and winter, they will eat more. If their seasons are reversed, you will see the eating decrease in winter, increase in summer etc etc.
Step 1.
Don't stress! Step 2.
Don't stress~~~You've done an incredible job getting them on raw so far!
Rome wasn't built in a day.
The entire process isn't only for the ferrets, it is also for us. Along the way we can get a good idea on each ferret, appetite wise (how much they consume as an individual, their seasonal appetites and so on), their likes and dislikes in different proteins and so on.
If you notice they are eating less than the amount you feed per day, then simply adjust according to their needs. If they eat more, feed more.
Ferrets can easily pick up on our feelings, and emotions. If you're stressed, that may also unsettle your ferrets, especially if you've bonded already. When I was transitioning, I had a tough time with my girl, Haru, I was anxious- this is completely normal- however she picked up on how I was feeling and became more difficult to talk into trying new foods.
Things to keep in mind.
1. Ferrets are smart: they can pick up on emotion, and use it against their owners. (My boy Yuuki as a kit would chuck a tantrum until my new ferrent mind caved in to let him out- he's older now, still tries it on me sometimes but gets no where lol)
2. Some ferrets prefer to eat certain amounts, or at certain times.
3. Seasons have a role in appetite.
4. Ferrets get bored of certain foods/proteins after frequent feedings.
5. There are days where they simply don't feel like eating very much, this does not mean they are sick or not well.
6. Ferrets may eat more at the start of a transition, and then cut down as their body adjusts.
7. Females are known for eating what we may consider very little, but to them is just the right amount of food for their bodies.
It is also not uncommon for ferrets who are in the process of transitioning, to simply become bored or snub their food at any stage. Sometimes ferrets will become bored of the same protein, same taste if it is used too often. Trying a new protein will help keep things interesting.
For example, if you're using chicken too often, try using beef.
You don't necessarily have to go back to step 1, or restart from the beginning. Try doing some hand feeding here and there, and then leave the rest in with them. I read you use quite a variety. How is your menu looking? If you write one up, I can help you with it.
