Soft poop

[elliottsmama]

I have a 10wk old kit.  He was on Marshall diet at the store and I kept him on that for about 1.5wks and then slowly started introducing Wysong Ferret Epigen 90 by mixing the two with a gradual increase to all Wysong.  My intent is actually to feed him raw, but I didn't feel like I had enough time to research and figure out what to do while my in-laws were here for the holiday and didn't want to keep him on crappy Marshall diet either.

He seems to like the food, but he seems a bit skinny.  TONS of energy though and obviously growing and getting longer.  Anyway, since the switch, his poop has become much much softer.  It's wetter and barely has shape.  It's not diarrhea and it still comes out solid-ish, but the typical swirl is harder to see.  Is this a concern?

Would it be hard on him to switch to raw now after just switching to another food?  I don't want to mess up his stomach by changing diets too frequently. 

Thanks!

[Sherry]

Mine all switch to raw day one So not a problem. Raw doesn't cause the same sort of upsets that kibble does. And his stools are softer because the wysong doesn't have as much crap in it as the others do.

[elliottsmama]

That makes sense. I was wondering if that was the case. I know raw poops are softer and Wysong was what seemed to be regarded as the best kibble and was without all the filler stuff.

Thank you!

I think I'm going to start frankenprey feeding this week and also order some commercial raw so that he is used to both. That way when I have to go out of town for a weekend or something, the commercial stuff will make it easier for the babysitters. I feel a little nervous, but I've been reading a bunch. I saw a sample menu that was helpful. I might start with a soup. Can I start with meat, or should I start with a soupie type thing since he's still only 10wks?

Thanks again!

[abbeytheferret6]

My baby started with meat, and no problem with eating bones (not weight bearing bones). Baby will eat a lot. I fed mine about 4 times in 24 hours---this included leaving something over nite to munch on--- but feed as much as they want. I found quail at Asian food stores in frozen section. Chicken wings were loved by her. I cut my wing at joint to make more easy for her to eat bone . drummette will probably be too dense---but who knows.

[Sherry]

To give you an idea of what he should be eating at 12 weeks, check out the first post in this thread holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/80/ferrets-bone
First is a video of ferrets 2 weeks older than yours, next are pics of some a whole lot younger lol

[elliottsmama]

Okay, well I took the plunge. I have given him a raw egg today. He took to that quickly. He had no idea what it was, but when I started to play with it and offer it on my finger, he thought it was delicious and went to town. Later, I gave him a chicken wing. No dice. I tied it to a string and let him chase it, but he was onto me and had no interest. I gave up, but tried again later. After ignoring it again, I scruffed him and stuck it in there and boy did he perk up! He took it and ran. He ate it for a good while and then played and went back to it a few times. He's working on it again now. I'll take it out when he's done and put his regular kibble in for tonight and then go shopping tomorrow to get more stuff for him. I'm going to go pick up some commercial raw food to have on hand for convenience, especially when I go out of town or something. I'm still a little freaked out that he is going to choke or something, but he seems to be doing well. Those videos you linked were very helpful. Thank you!

[Sherry]

Oh that is a wonderful first step! Odds are given the choice he is going to prefer the raw

[elliottsmama]

Yeah he ate the WHOLE thing. Great poop today too. I swear it smelled less. I was examining them too looking for fabric from a sock he may have eaten yesterday.

[Sherry]

Right now then would be the time to stock up on meats/proteins/organs etc If he is that willing you can ditch the kibble entirely.

[elliottsmama]

Yes, that's the plan. He wouldn't touch the liver I offered, but I'm going to try chicken liver today instead. I'm headed to Whole Foods in about an hour and they have a large container of non-gmo chicken liver. They also have some wing pieces I was going to buy. I can get heart at the butcher down the street.

[Sherry]

You can also puree and spoon feed liver/organs if need be

[elliottsmama]

He ate the liver straight up. I didn't even cut it. Just plopped it on the plate and he went to town and ate the whole thing!!!

[Sherry]

Now is the time to introduce him to as many proteins as you possibly can

[elliottsmama]

I'm on it!