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Post by craze176 on May 28, 2011 21:42:47 GMT -5
So I'm on a few raw feeding groups on the internet even though I only own ferrets. I've recently noticed a difference in one that has mostly dogs, but their general guidelines for prey model is different than here..
Their idea of balance over time is stretched between weeks, months even! ie lots of people will feed their dog beef for a month, switch to chicken for 3 months, switch to lamb for a few weeks, etc. This is with all meat/organ/bone absolutely no veggies, carbs, or supplements.
I thought 'hm. Maybe it's a feeding thing with dogs only.' yet I remembered I also saw the "3 proteins per week" thing with dogs too! So which is it? Obviously these dogs are doing great on long stretches of each protein..that's the reason I'm questioning this..
So my question is; is there a ferret-specific reason why we feed 3 proteins per week here?
I'm not really looking for "to cover all the bases", because their version works around that idea too. Something more ferret-y! lol
I won't stop feeding my guys quick rotations-I love giving them variety-I'm just really curious!
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Post by Sherry on May 28, 2011 21:54:30 GMT -5
Yes, there is. It's because their metabolism is so much faster than other animals. From the time it goes in their mouth til it comes out the other end is about 3-4 hours, max. Good example of the fast metabolism- when I was looking at getting my cats onto raw, the amounts in ounces were pretty much what my ferrets eat on a daily basis, in spite of the cats literally being 5-6 times the size and weight of the ferrets. The fuzz need that extra because they process everything so very quickly.
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Post by craze176 on May 28, 2011 23:08:22 GMT -5
Ah, thank you! I highly suspected it might be that! My girls eat a little more than 4% usually. Sometimes up to 6%
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2011 23:08:41 GMT -5
Also the more protein sources the better because each animal provides different nutrients.
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Post by Sherry on May 29, 2011 0:18:24 GMT -5
I've got one girl who eats 4-6 oz in a day. My other females eat anywhere between 1 oz to 3 oz daily. My boys, of course, closer to the 6 oz mark.
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Post by craze176 on May 29, 2011 1:14:07 GMT -5
Wow, 4-6 oz! Mine are 1.5 lbs each and eat 1-1.5 oz.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2011 1:24:40 GMT -5
I think it also helps liven up the menu. If I feed a protein too long, my fuzz will start refusing it. They get bored rather easily and by rotating, I find it makes meal time go smoother.
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Post by Heather on May 29, 2011 1:53:29 GMT -5
So I'm guessing this is too much ciao
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2011 2:09:33 GMT -5
HA ha! Bet the ferret didn't thin so!
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2011 4:21:29 GMT -5
Heather that is so adorable! Which fuzz is that? Very pretty fuzzy
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Post by Sherry on May 29, 2011 10:07:51 GMT -5
Boris USED to eat about 4 ounces a day before his IBD took over. He was my lightest male at just over 2lbs. Zeus is 2 1/2, and Vincent close to 3lbs summer weight.
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Post by Heather on May 29, 2011 20:02:56 GMT -5
Heather that is so adorable! Which fuzz is that? Very pretty fuzzy That is the notorious Minion I. Chomp ciao
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2011 22:26:41 GMT -5
Also wanted to point out that dogs are NOT obligate carnviores like ferrets or cats. They actually need their veggies too, so what those guys are doing sans veggies really isn't great for their dogs
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Post by craze176 on May 29, 2011 23:16:16 GMT -5
I disagree
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Post by Heather on May 29, 2011 23:33:34 GMT -5
I would like to agree with you craze176 but I can't. Oh, I've been there and practiced it for the longest time. After years of feeding raw to all numbers of "real" carnivores...veggies do matter. Not for the reason you're probably thinking either. I think you will find more than a few on board here agree. I've been there....nothing but meat for my dog, cat, ferret....guess what? if you're working from a prey model and you're using frankenprey then you're doing your furchildren a disservice. If you can afford to feed prey, then yes, don't bother to feed veggies but if you can't and you feed your carnivores by feeding a bit of this and a bit of that then unless you're feeding the skin, fur and a few other indigestible unmentionables you're short changing their nutrients and not allowing their systems to work optimally. They need that stuff if for nothing else but to cleanse their system and to feed the gut bacteria and to slow their very fast digestive track down just a bit so that they can properly absorb their meats and bones. Is your dog going to get sick if you don't feed veggies...no...but if he/she is sick you may just give him/her an advantage that you wouldn't be able to offer if you don't. Ask anyone on board here about their IBD fuzzes and find out what a bit of veggie matter means to them. Am I going to offer proof...no...there isn't any so it's JMO ;D ciao
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