Post by Heather on Feb 1, 2017 3:49:15 GMT -5
Application:
Name: Patti Higgins
HF Forum Username: Patti Higgins
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older:
B 1953
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Readings after having several ferrets with insulinoma.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I am currently feeding Epigen-90 and ferret archetype. I want to do what is best for them. The Wysong is probably better for them than other kibble but I worry that there might be a shortage or some production problem. I would like to fully switch to a natural diet and would do whole prey frozen-thawed.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Avoidance of disease, cancers, and to improve their health. I want “natural” food because that is what their bodies are designed to process. Eating the whole prey probably affects the head muscles too which IMO is also important. I worry that kibble doesn’t have the taurine they need and maybe there are other trace things they need. Dental health is also important to me and with a natural diet their teeth would be healthier.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment?
We now have the time. We know it will take a while.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
Four ferrets.
Two rescues at age two: now four years old. Havoc (M) and Karma (F)
Two from local breeder, born April 15, 2016. Adopted at 10 weeks.
D’Artagnan (M) neutered at 8 months; he was overweight at that time according to vet.
Athos (M) neutered at 8 months; he was overweight according to vet. OK fat was the actual word.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Wysong Epigen 90, Dream Treats, and Ferret Archetype
I grind the kibble and mix with hot water in the morning and at night. They may or may not eat a lot of the soup.
Moving from Ferretone to Salmon Oil. Easy – they love salmon oil.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
They have been offered day old chicks from the time D’Artagnan and Athos came home. Havoc and Karma are not interested. The babies loved it.
Have given them chicken legs which they dragged around with great enthusiasm.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
They are all free roam in my bedroom and bathroom. I often bring them down to my library where they can access Outside through an open window into an almost ferret proof fenced (with plastic fence, wire, and plexiglass) yard. Nothing is ever really ferret proof………..
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Constant.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Athos
Athos
D’Artagnan
Karma
Havoc
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
Yes
12. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
Yes.
13. Do you understand that if your mentor or an admin recommends seeking veterinary care and you refuse to seek appropriate care you may be dropped from the mentoring program?
Yes
14. We occasionally have a wait for a Mentor to be available. While you wait we encourage you to get started by creating your own switching thread under Diet Transitions where all of our mentors and members can help you while you wait for your personal mentor. See here --> holisticferret60.proboards.com/board/66/diet-transitions
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program :wave3:. In a little while your mentor (Katt), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun (dance) . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
Name: Patti Higgins
HF Forum Username: Patti Higgins
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older:
B 1953
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Readings after having several ferrets with insulinoma.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I am currently feeding Epigen-90 and ferret archetype. I want to do what is best for them. The Wysong is probably better for them than other kibble but I worry that there might be a shortage or some production problem. I would like to fully switch to a natural diet and would do whole prey frozen-thawed.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Avoidance of disease, cancers, and to improve their health. I want “natural” food because that is what their bodies are designed to process. Eating the whole prey probably affects the head muscles too which IMO is also important. I worry that kibble doesn’t have the taurine they need and maybe there are other trace things they need. Dental health is also important to me and with a natural diet their teeth would be healthier.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment?
We now have the time. We know it will take a while.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
Four ferrets.
Two rescues at age two: now four years old. Havoc (M) and Karma (F)
Two from local breeder, born April 15, 2016. Adopted at 10 weeks.
D’Artagnan (M) neutered at 8 months; he was overweight at that time according to vet.
Athos (M) neutered at 8 months; he was overweight according to vet. OK fat was the actual word.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Wysong Epigen 90, Dream Treats, and Ferret Archetype
I grind the kibble and mix with hot water in the morning and at night. They may or may not eat a lot of the soup.
Moving from Ferretone to Salmon Oil. Easy – they love salmon oil.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
They have been offered day old chicks from the time D’Artagnan and Athos came home. Havoc and Karma are not interested. The babies loved it.
Have given them chicken legs which they dragged around with great enthusiasm.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
They are all free roam in my bedroom and bathroom. I often bring them down to my library where they can access Outside through an open window into an almost ferret proof fenced (with plastic fence, wire, and plexiglass) yard. Nothing is ever really ferret proof………..
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Constant.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Athos
Athos
D’Artagnan
Karma
Havoc
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
Yes
12. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
Yes.
13. Do you understand that if your mentor or an admin recommends seeking veterinary care and you refuse to seek appropriate care you may be dropped from the mentoring program?
Yes
14. We occasionally have a wait for a Mentor to be available. While you wait we encourage you to get started by creating your own switching thread under Diet Transitions where all of our mentors and members can help you while you wait for your personal mentor. See here --> holisticferret60.proboards.com/board/66/diet-transitions
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program :wave3:. In a little while your mentor (Katt), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun (dance) . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao