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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2016 17:02:18 GMT -5
So I have tried everything in my power to try to get my ferret to eat meat. I really want to give him the best diet I can but unfortunately my boy likes his kibble and only his kibble. He won't eat eggs, or meat (cooked or raw) and I've tried all the tricks, (mixing it into food, putting it on his gums to make him taste it, so on) and I've come to the conclusion that it's the texture. He likes powdered duk soup with water added so it creates a paste, so I was wondering if there are any freeze dried raw diets that behave in a similar way that you guys know of. He likes kibble and anything with a paste or soup like texture but he hates chewy things. I'd love some help.
Oh by the way, it would be helpful if it was not too expensive since I'm 17 and I pay for all my ferret's supplies on my own.
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Post by LindaM on Dec 27, 2016 17:29:12 GMT -5
I haven't come across a freeze-dried treat that will really behave just like the store-bought "Duk Soup" which gets a pretty smooth texture. A lot of us get away with rehydrating freeze-dried, and the ferrets will usually eat that without too much trouble since they already know them similarly as treats in their freeze-dried form. But re-hydrating the meat will usually bring it back closer to how it was before, for example, re-hydrating freeze-dried chicken breast, will make it look like a chunkie of chicken breast. The grind type of freeze-dried might be closer to what you're looking for, but still not really that exact consistency of "Duk Soup", though you will likely have a better shot of getting your ferret to eat it.
Have you tried some commercial grind frozen raw first? My ferrets while on days iffy with some of their normal raw, don't mind eating some of the NV Instinct Frozen Rawbites (these are 95% meat product), or even on a sickly day to take some of the same brand's meat tins (also 95% raw) and mix it up with warm water to make a soupie. My ferrets like the NV Instinct Frozen Rawbites and their freeze-dried raw treats, and also Stella & Chewys freeze-dried and frozen.
Sadly, both of these products run a little more on the pricy side. NV Instinct is cheaper than Stella & Chewys and can usually be found in your local petstore and will usually have sampler sizes to try out ($1.99 for a little packet of freeze-dried treats, $3.99-$4.99 for a trial of the Frozen Rawbites, $4.99 for a trial of their kibble that's generally good for ferrets too, or at least some of the flavors, and usually have a $5 coupon for a bigger bag on the small bag). Stella & Chewys products I order online.
Have you tried adding a little dab of salmon oil on the food? Ferrets will usually lick the oil and end up eating some of the food and realize it won't kill them and is actually okay to eat, lol.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2017 19:18:10 GMT -5
I am going to try the freeze dried cat treats for my babies, as they too refused everything I've tried, even homemade soupies. I feel like this is going to be a challenge, but I am up for it! Also going to try salmon oil.I want the best for my babies!
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Lily
Junior Member
Posts: 172
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Post by Lily on Jan 7, 2017 20:44:02 GMT -5
I personally don't have any experience with freeze dried diets, but make sure they do not contain a high level of vegetables as many do. I know Wysong carries freeze dried diets, but they can be costly. What is your budget? Ramsey was also very difficult to transition as he's extremely picky. It resulted to me scruffing him and force feeding 2-3 times a day, and I basically out-stubborned him
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2017 14:37:11 GMT -5
Maybe you can mash up pieces of meat into a paste or a stew? That would make it softer and not so chewy.
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Post by Sherry on Jan 15, 2017 12:55:16 GMT -5
We have a mentoring program for difficult to switch ferrets. He can be switched, guaranteed.
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