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Post by sessy1979 on Jun 2, 2011 15:31:03 GMT -5
I am interested in learning how to convert my ferrets diet to raw. They both will not touch raw meat at the moment or duk soup! I live in a small town in West Virginia so I'd like to get a general idea on where people buy the meat they feed their ferrets? Can you buy it from the grocery store? What meat or meats should I start with when dealing w/ picky eaters? We believe that my 3 yr old ferret Ringo has the early stages of insulinomia and I've read alot of success stories that converting their diets will help? Plus it's healthier. These are my first two ferrets so I'm still learning alot about them. Any information anyone can give me at this point is a plus!!! Thanks in advance!!
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Post by tayrawrrr on Jun 2, 2011 16:04:04 GMT -5
Thanks for your interest! Both my guys are on raw/whole prey, and the differences between raw and kibble are amazing! My best piece of advice is to sign up for the mentoring program--I did, and it was so helpful!
I buy my meats at the local grocery store. There are some things I've needed to buy online, such as hearts, quail, necks, etc.
You should generally start with one protein (such as chicken, for example) and determine if they have any food sensitivities, then continue adding more. You want at least 3-4 proteins. I generally do 6 or 7.
As for the insulinoma, i've not any experience with it, I'm sure someone will jump in to comment on it.
Hope that helps some, good luck!
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Post by katt on Jun 2, 2011 16:37:01 GMT -5
Hi and welcome to the forum!  Check out our Mentoring program.  It will pair you up with a mentor who will walk you through the entire switch with your ferrets and ensure that you have a properly balanced and varied diet. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2011 18:37:34 GMT -5
I live in a small town in West Virginia so I'd like to get a general idea on where people buy the meat they feed their ferrets? Super markets, asian/ethnic stores, natural pet stores. Can you buy it from the grocery store? You sure can! That's where I buy mine. You need a minimum of 3 proteins, and you can usually get almost everything you need from the grocery store  What meat or meats should I start with when dealing w/ picky eaters? Chicken breast is the blandest and usually goes over pretty well. However, it doesn't have nearly as much nutritional value as some of the darker cuts of chicken, so I like to start with chicken thighs and wings. You start out making a thin soup in a blender, then continually make it thicker and thicker, start adding in slivers, then larger chunks, etc. Until they are eating whole chunks! We believe that my 3 yr old ferret Ringo has the early stages of insulinomia and I've read alot of success stories that converting their diets will help? Yes, a raw diet definitely can help a ferret with early stage insulinoma. It is the best thing for them and will improve their quality of life tremendously. I highly recommend signing up for the mentoring program here holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=switch&action=display&thread=61Just fill out the form and we will get you a mentor as soon as possible. You can also start a thread in the newbie section to jump start the switch If you have any other questions, ask away! Everyone is here to help with the switch |
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Post by Sherry on Jun 2, 2011 20:52:07 GMT -5
Please understand, and ferret with insulinoma, even early stage, will have to be switched much more slowly. But that doesn't mean he won't benifit even from a partial raw. Something you may want to look into in addition to the switch to raw is freeze dried raw foods. For insulinmic ferrets, I prefer to go with a "double prong" attack to the switch, using both raw soups, and freeze dried raw mixed with the kibble, til it's replaced kibble entirely. Your boy will need access to food 24/7, which raw fed ferrets generally don't(need it). That's where freeze dried raw comes into play It's the "nibbly" for the times where the raw may have been finished ahead of schedule. Definitely sign up for the mentoring program! We can work it out regardless ! |
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Post by sessy1979 on Jun 3, 2011 5:54:39 GMT -5
Thank you all for all your advice! I am definetly going to sign up for the mentor program! For the last 3 yrs I've had my little boy I thought I was doing everything right. I asked all kinds of questions when I got him so I could prepare myself! But they never told me a raw diet was healthier. I kinda feel like I've been sucker punched in the stomach!
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Post by Sherry on Jun 3, 2011 9:26:33 GMT -5
I know the feeling  We had problems with Boris from day one. He frequently had yellowish, seedy stools. Had no idea at the time it was from not digesting his food properly, combined with a sensitivity to chicken. We had several stool samples examined, but they never found anything. So I started doing my OWN research, and discovered a raw diet. We've not looked back since |
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