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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 11:14:17 GMT -5
@tessvictoria, whatever is left in the dish at dinner is left overnight for Monster, and Brandi too! Monster is eating all grinds now though. No more soup for him! If there is nothing left in the dish I will place another ounce or so (I break the frozen 2oz "patty" in as close to half as I can). I am finding that it is usually untouched when I wake in the morning though. Brandi is still coming into my lap for meals. I have to admit I like it!! She will go to the dish at their place for meals (pictured in a previous post; in our dining room), but usually just sniffs at the both, maybe a lick or two, but usually walks away. I will work on Brandi eating at their dining station prior to leaving for my trip on 2/21 as I know my husband will not have the time to sit with her for feeding. He is quite partial to her and says it's because she came to our home from such neglected beginnings. He loves Monster too, but feels a stronger connection to her.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 12:58:39 GMT -5
YESSSS go monster! What a good boy And Brandi sounds like such a sweety. I miss doing the hand feeding, but I'm glad mine are boyond it now! They were always so messy while eating lol! You still have a while before your trip, don't feel too rushed, she will get there. Did monster take it it on his own right away or did you have to gently "lead" him to the plate? Sounds like Brandi is your husbands "heart ferret" we have have that one who is just a little more connected to us.
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Post by Sherry on Jan 30, 2017 13:14:14 GMT -5
You are doing well Try telling him Brandi might wind up with a bacterial overload from eating both at the same time. If soup is in there, she will eat that instead as long as she is eating on her own.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 14:06:44 GMT -5
Sherry is right, brandi does know it is food now, if she is hungry she will eat it.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 15:09:23 GMT -5
Oh my gosh, Monster ate lunch! another 2 ounces of grinds! First time he's acted hungry in the middle of the day. Kept going to the dining room so I put a dish down and he ate it all!!! Sherry, he is coming around, believe me. Unfortunately severe stubborness is part of his family's traits, frustrating me for the last 33 years! I am definitely working on him though. I show him studies, and share everything I learn, including the different rate of digestion between raw and kibble. I think he thinks if the kibble isn't there she will starve. I remind him they are "my" ferrets and I am doing the best for them. He has to admit the changes he sees since I've been transitioning them. I WILL win this argument! @tessvictoria, Monster took to raw right away and I've never had to guide him to the dish. I think, a few times, he's gotten a bit jealous of Brandi being in my lap for meals so has climbed on up too! He has no problem going to the dining room and eating on his own though. I do place a towel across my lap during Brandi's meals! YUK! Raw Soupie all over my pants if I don't! I am enjoying the bonding time though. I whisper to her "such a good girl", "yummy stuff", "I'm so proud of you", all the while she is eating. If I gave her the chance she probably would go to the dining room by herself, but selfishly I bring her into my lap for meals. I need to work on that.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 15:16:05 GMT -5
Hehe, perhaps bring her into the living room with you where their plate is and start with the lap feeding, but slowly lead her down to the plate as she eats until shes directly on top of the soupie with her head, she should tuck right in if shes hungry. I'm glad Monster ate lunch for you I always feed once in morning and once in evening, with just enough to carry them through to the next meal so they don't go without Argue the point Sherry made with your husband, she really is at risk for bacterial overload the longer she continues eating both. OR just do it anyways and tell him to shove it
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Post by LindaM on Jan 30, 2017 15:51:59 GMT -5
@hugs Having a blanket on the lap is a very smart idea.. too many times have I had little bloody and spit covered chunks of meat fall into my lap when I first tried getting Loki onto beef (still the least liked protein in the house, even though it gets eaten). Athena took to the meat like a dream when she started.. except she still tries to make her own jerkey under my bedside table.. but she's so impatient with it.. she'll drag meat from the previous evening in there and gobble it up the next morning right out of the cage if breakfast isn't already waiting for them. She no longer has a taste for cardboard feeding dens.. thus under my bedside table. Gonna try a plastic container soon and see if it's more up to her poshy standards.
It sounds like your two are doing really well. And there's nothing wrong with wanting your little one on your lap, though she may become very habit dependent on it in the long run. This being said.. they still all eat FDR treats sitting in my lap. ^^
And Sherry and Tess are right, the bacterial overload really is a danger. I've had to remove the kibble mix for the cat for some hours, simply because of the ferrets raw meal times, or Athena would try to eat a nice big raw meal, and have some kibble for dessert, and I wasn't going to have that. I just pulled out all the stops with my husband by asking him if he wants our ferrets sick and dying, when the answer was "no", I said "well then, don't argue". He now leaves it up to me to bring him new knowledge and tell him of things he needs to know and boy does he retain everything I tell him, lol (he will also share with others whenever the conversation of ferrets come up). He loves all three of our furkids dearly, so does his best to make sure they all have what they need, regardless of cost or time (especially when I mention risks and health concerns that could pop up).
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Post by Sherry on Jan 31, 2017 11:34:27 GMT -5
Tess is right- take her to the dining room and start getting her to eat on her own If not, you will wind up with a spoiled little girl who will refuse to eat her raw unless it is on mommy's lap! And that will include while you are gone
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2017 12:14:43 GMT -5
I do know you all are correct on the kibble and on the lap feeding. Kibble bowls (there were two) were picked up, kibble discarded, bowls washed & put into cupboard, yesterday morning! Hubby did not even notice the disappearance last night! I am going to work on the lap feeding, harder than I have been, especially since I will be away for 8-10 days. I will miss the individual bonding time I'm having with Brandi, but I do understand it is in her best interest that I stop. This morning when Brandi was up and ready for breakfast I was in the middle of something that I could not put aside. I made her soup, mixing in a bit of the pheasant grind, and set it at their station in the dining room. SHE ATE IT ALL BY HERSELF!!! She did not eat the whole 3ish ounces, but a fair amount of it. She even went back to it after playing for a bit. Proud Mama here!!! I was becoming worried about Monster as he did not get up at his usual time, so began calling his name to wake him, and looking in all the usual places. He finally came out of his favorite chair. Not too interested in breakfast though. A few bites here and there. Even tried feeding him from my lap; just took a huge mouth full, wanted down, and ran off with it to eat from under the sofa! Silly boy! Dish put in dining room and he's gone to it for a nibble or two, but has not finished his breakfast entirely yet. My goal is for a breakfast (6am ish) and dinner (6pm ish) feeding schedule, FDR treat mid-day in the "puzzle". We have 3 water bowls, freshened several times throughout the day as both are snorkelers, throughout the house - dining station in dining room, their room, and our bedroom. Is this a good goal? I think Monster is having some detox poos?? Photo attached. I've never seen him with such loose ones! And oh my gosh do they STINK! His poops have never stunk! Brandi's are becoming smaller now that she is eating more raw, but they are not looking like this either. Is this detox, or something I should be worrying about? Brandi has also just recently become obsessed with our feet, and especially my ankles! What the heck?!! She uses her teeth like she is de-fleaing (is this even a term?!) us. Feels super weird! Normal behavior?
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Post by Sherry on Jan 31, 2017 12:24:29 GMT -5
They, and you, are doing so well :boing: And as bad as it is- he is detoxing now. This will go on for anywhere from 2-6 weeks. And your baby girl is grooming you Fairly normal behaviour. As for the lap feeding still do it once a week or so for the bonding time. I do with mine.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2017 15:33:37 GMT -5
Awe now you know what we mean when we say funky poops! AND THAT IS SO GOOD! BRANDI ATE ON HER OWN! So now I think the hardest part for you is going to be letting her eat on her own. I wouldn't worry about Monster, some meals they just aren't hungry, or it isn't their "favorite" so they only eat a little. Also my girls will often run off with their food and eat in private too, I set up a little eating den for them but behind the couch is still the preferred location. I am so proud of you for all you've done so far, no more kibble AND Brandi ate on her own! This is huge and you should be excited (dance)
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Post by LindaM on Jan 31, 2017 16:01:32 GMT -5
If you're ever concerned about one not getting up when you call and are unsure of where they are currently at, you can always use a squeaky toy, squeak a few times, you'll be surprised sometimes how well that works, I've even seen it wake ferrets from DFS too, lol. Ferrets will come storming over for a squeaky toy and this can be very helpful in an emergency situation too if you need to round up the ferrets fast.
And I agree with Sherry about the grooming.. she'd probably groom you somewhere else if she could easily reach it. As it stands, our feet are the most accessible to the furkids. Thus, they will show both love and impatience (occasionally vengeance as well), to them in attempts for our attention.
As for the poops, yep detox stools.. and yes, they are NASTY. When I switched mine, it was the first ever time their poop smell could outmatch my cat's, we thought we'd die.
You are doing really, really great with both of them, you should feel very proud, and proud of little Brandi! As for the lap time.. there's lots of other things you can teach her would be good for spending time in your lap. My two lazy bums think nail trimming and ear and teeth checks are "pamper them" time on our laps, I don't even use any oil on either of them for it, they lie perfectly still on their own like little spoiled angels.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 9:41:46 GMT -5
Both were awake and up very early this morning. since NO kibble was anywhere to be found (hubby still hasn't noticed, or if he has he hasn't mentioned it!) Brandi found the bowl or mixed soup & grind at the dining station in the dining room without any problem and ate by herself again. she didn't eat as much as I would like, but she ate. Monster has decided he is not going to eat unless I am right there with him. Little turd! I'll work on that as well. They both went back to bed while I was doing some chores, so will get their weights when they're up again. @tessvictoria, I am planning additions to their dining station when I return from my trip. I've got some sketches done, and having a soon to be nephew in law who does awesome work with wood, plan on talking with him while I'm away (he lives near my dad in CA) about making some a hiding place that I can fit into a corner of the dining area very near their dining station. I've taken some photos of the area, as well as measurements, to give him something to work with. LindaM, Yes. I am aware of the squeaky toys, but try not to use them if it's not totally necessary. My goal was to rouse Monster without the need of using one, which I did. I only wish mine enjoyed nail clipping! Neither like it much at all, so a bit of oil on the belly is what is required, at least right now. Both are fairly new family members (Monster 8/24/16; Brandi 10/2/16), neither came from ideal situations, and I'm thinking they are still learning to be comfortable with us. Monster is only now allowing me to hold and pet him for more than 2 seconds! He is actually starting to come to me when he wants attention. This is a huge step! I am patient, as well as stubborn, and believe both will learn I will never hurt them; they are here forever. Sherry, that grooming sure does feel weird! Day before yesterday she actually nipped my ankle bone! No break in the skin, but OUCH! In all honesty I am extremely happy with how things are going. I am not wanting to rush anything, being that I'll be away the last 8-10 days of the month and don't want my husband feeling too uncomfortable with their care during my absence. He's already concerned about not having the time that I do to spend with them. I would take them with me except that I will have to pass through Border Patrol when entering California and will not risk them being confiscated; I've seen Facebook posts in some groups that the risk is "slight", but it's not one I'm willing to take!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 22:18:52 GMT -5
They will eat as much as they need, don't worry too much about intake levels. By chance do you know how much each one is eating on average per meal? That sounds like it will be an awesome feeding den for them! You're such a good momma to them Hopefully they like it too!! Mine don't like to hold still for nail clippings either, but Mauser and Catalina will lay on their backs and lick oil off their belly, and very rarely pull their paws away. Poppy on the other hand is crazy and salmon oil does has no persuasion power with her. She's a devil when it's time for nail trimming I'm thinking I'm going to start trying egg with her instead, she's nuts about the stuff. And you are right, it is not worth the risk of having to turn around at the border with your babies or get them consficated! You've made the right decision.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 11:32:35 GMT -5
@tessvictoria, The soup is roughly 2 tablespoons/26 grams; grind is 2 ounces. I have eliminated the soup for the last 2 days, today is day three. I still have cubes frozen and in the freezer, but will hold off using them until absolutely necessary seeing that Brandi is now accepting the grinds. I am placing 4 ounces in the dish in the morning and they are both eating from it. When I tried using only one dish they would both eat from the same anyway! Monster is eating about 3 ounces throughout the day, Brandi 1. Both have lost a bit of weight since last weighing, which I am hoping is the elimination of kibbles and will change once they are more regular in their eating habits. I am encouraging them to eat every time they go to the dining station, but they do not always cooperate. I am figuring if I do not provide them with anything else (kibble or FDR treat) they will go eat. Am I doing this wrong? Monster - 1080grams (1160.9 1/23); Brandi 758grams (779.6 1/23) Hubby (Phil) noticed there was no kibbles down last night. He argued with me for only a few minutes before finally giving up! I am winning!!!
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