Switching Kibble, help! As well as other questions.

[Deleted]

I am not sure if this is the right section, so I apologize first off.

I have 3 ferrets Razzy(3mo),Rupee(5mo) and Missy(3mo)

I am trying to switch off of Marshall Food to Instinct Raw Boost Duck and Turkey
So I started this food training journey about a month ago, very frustrating btw. I finally got to the point where Razzy and Missy would eat the new food for sure but only mixed with the old food. Rupee though I never seen her eat the new food. Then recently Rupee stopped eating all together, not even a week ago actually, so on her 2nd day of me not seeing her eat i took her to the ER, the doctors said she was fine, she just had alot of gas, I asked the doctor could it be the new food and she said maybe, So i stopped adding in the new food to see if she would eat, which she did, maybe its the med too im not sure, but now the others have stopped eating the new food as well. I use to only have 1 food bowl now i have 3, 1 old food, 1 new food and 1 mix. After all that hassle they all mainly eat from the old food except Rupee, she goes to the mix bowl and eats the old food. So I have no idea what to do, do I give up because I want them all to eat well. I also think that Rupee may have stopped eating is because she seems to stay away from the alpha is they are both near the food.

Also aside from food, Im wondering about treats ive tried so many things and no luck.

Razzy & Missy
Likes: Ferretvite, Goodbye Odor treats
Doesnt: Bandit Bacon Treats, Canned Tuna(in water), Honey, Peanut Butter, raw Eggs, Mushed Banana

Rupee
Likes: Ferretvite, Honey
Doesnt: Bandit Bacon treats, Canned Tuna, Mushed banana, Peanut Butter, raw eggs, Good bye odor treats

--Also is it normal that Rupee eats less the other other 2?

[abbeytheferret6]

Will let others help u with the switching of kibble.

Just want to say not to give ferretvite or honey ( good that they do not like bananas:)because it can contribute to insulinoma . I use to give ferretvite to my first ferrets. (Did no know any better) Ferrets should have no sugary treats. It will eventually mess up their pancreas as will a high carb kibble.

For eggs, you might want to get creative but be persistent. Someone had luck offering from a teaspoon. I warmed a whole egg in some hot water and then separated white from yolk and finger fed warm yolk as it is not so slimy and easier to daub into.


Maybe someone will also help u on treats since I feed raw meats, I just give them more of that

[Deleted]

Ill try that for the eggs, but now i am having the issue that one digs in the food bowls

[Deleted]

One of the things I've learned here is that just about anything sold in pet stores for ferrets is not good & will cause Insulinoma among other things. 😳 Yes, I know that sounds wrong but unfortunately, it's true. 😩 Can they live on kibble, yes, but it is by far, not the best overall diet for them. It leaves them in a constant state of dehydration & is filled with things ferrets aren't meant to digest. I've owned ferrets longer than I'd like to admit and fed them kibble until I found this site. (I was in the same situation as you bc they discontinued the food they ate and would not eat anything else! oh the stress that caused me) I've learned ferrets are obligate carnivores. They need a meat/organ only diet free of fruits, veggies, sugars and carbohydrates.

I use Olive oil, salmon oil or coconut oil as a treat but sparingly. Riot loves it. I also give her chicken gizzards as a treat as well. She also loves eggs which I warm for her. Chicken eggs you can feed one whole egg per week or just the yolk never the whites alone or a couple of quail eggs a week because they are smaller.

Your ferrets are quite young and switching might be very easy for you with guidance from a mentor. have you tried just throwing some meat in their cage yet? Warm it up a bit in warm water from the tap, not cook it. Throw it in you might be surprised. I've also learned during my switch ferrets are stubborn. Some dig their feet in and the battle of wills is on. Seriously😂. It's was like a standoff with me worrying they weren't eating enough. We've all pretty much been there. If it was so easy their wouldn't be a need for this forum, right? Never give up. I know you want what's best for them so keep trying. 💪🏻😉. You may lose a few battles but, if you are persistent, you'll win the war💕😉🙌🏻 and your ferrets will 💕 You for it.