Post by Heather on Mar 8, 2017 0:17:43 GMT -5
Name: Tanya
HF Forum Username: Tanya
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older:
Born in ’85, I’m 31
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
When Googling what to feed my new ferrets I found lots of into pointing towards a raw diet. Main bulk of what I’ve read has been on this site.
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 would like to fully switch my ferrets. To begin with I had considered partially, but after more reading I‘ve decided it seems silly for me to not just go the whole way. Also, considering raw and kibble need to be fed apart for digestion, it actually sounds harder rather than easier, to do a partial switch.
I would consider one day feeding whole prey if I can source it, but I don’t want to do that for a while. I’d rather focus on other foods. I would like to try and find a source of commercial raw in Australia for times like when I need someone else to feed them, but I would only want to feed that once a week, at most, on a regular basis to keep them used to it. I would predominantly want to feed a frankenprey diet.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Pretty much all the reading I’ve been doing says it’s the best. Also the majority of the good kibbles aren’t even available here. If I was going to feed kibble, I would want it to be as good for them as possible, and there are precious few brands that are any good, available to me. What is available costs a fortune as it’s imported, so I’m also very hopeful that raw feeding will be a lot cheaper.
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?
I understand. It’s sometimes hard to find time, but I can make it happen.
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?
I have 2 ferrets. I’ve had them both for about 3 weeks and they are both female. I was told they were born in October, so they are about 3 1/2 -4 months old. Their names are Opal and Charlotte (Charlie). They have no health problems that I know of. I think they are a good weight and growing.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Wellness CORE original and kitten.
Some ground beef, pork and chicken with some success. Chicken wings, which Opal takes to more than Charlie, but I think they both eat some. I smashed them with a hammer and caught Opal crunching on the bones today. Charlie seemed to be eating them as well.
Just started trying salmon oil squeezed from capsules. Charlie loves it. Opal is a bit more tentative.
I have fed scrambled whole raw egg once and they seemed to enjoy it. I have since learned that I should split that up over more days and will do that from now on.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I’m not a stranger to animals but these are my first ferrets. I spend my days with horses and have some of my own I also have a Labrador, Helinka, who is my guide dog. I am legally blind but can see some, especially indoors. I’m glad I got 2 very different coloured ferrets as it really helps me know who I’m looking at. I can see them from the other side of the room, but not in a lot of detail. There is also a cat who lives in the house, but they’ve only seen each other a few times. I keep my dog and the ferrets mostly separate at the moment until the biting settles some.
As the girls are young, they are so full of energy. I look forward to the day they grow up a bit and my efforts pay off, so they stop biting me so much. I can see improvement, but they’re young and get excited.
As I live in Australia, I’m likely to be online at different times to my mentor.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Every day although some days are busier than others. I also have an iPhone.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
I will take these today and add them later.
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
Yep, I bought a new scale today as I think there’s something wrong with my other one.
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, I’m over 18 and just bought a new scale. I am still sourcing some more meats, but I have found one source of chicken liver and heart, and bought a small amount.
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, I understand
Edited to add my unofficial switching thread: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/22560/opal-charlottes-unofficial-switching-thread
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor (FireAngel), 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 :cup: . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
HF Forum Username: Tanya
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older:
Born in ’85, I’m 31
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
When Googling what to feed my new ferrets I found lots of into pointing towards a raw diet. Main bulk of what I’ve read has been on this site.
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 would like to fully switch my ferrets. To begin with I had considered partially, but after more reading I‘ve decided it seems silly for me to not just go the whole way. Also, considering raw and kibble need to be fed apart for digestion, it actually sounds harder rather than easier, to do a partial switch.
I would consider one day feeding whole prey if I can source it, but I don’t want to do that for a while. I’d rather focus on other foods. I would like to try and find a source of commercial raw in Australia for times like when I need someone else to feed them, but I would only want to feed that once a week, at most, on a regular basis to keep them used to it. I would predominantly want to feed a frankenprey diet.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
Pretty much all the reading I’ve been doing says it’s the best. Also the majority of the good kibbles aren’t even available here. If I was going to feed kibble, I would want it to be as good for them as possible, and there are precious few brands that are any good, available to me. What is available costs a fortune as it’s imported, so I’m also very hopeful that raw feeding will be a lot cheaper.
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?
I understand. It’s sometimes hard to find time, but I can make it happen.
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?
I have 2 ferrets. I’ve had them both for about 3 weeks and they are both female. I was told they were born in October, so they are about 3 1/2 -4 months old. Their names are Opal and Charlotte (Charlie). They have no health problems that I know of. I think they are a good weight and growing.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Wellness CORE original and kitten.
Some ground beef, pork and chicken with some success. Chicken wings, which Opal takes to more than Charlie, but I think they both eat some. I smashed them with a hammer and caught Opal crunching on the bones today. Charlie seemed to be eating them as well.
Just started trying salmon oil squeezed from capsules. Charlie loves it. Opal is a bit more tentative.
I have fed scrambled whole raw egg once and they seemed to enjoy it. I have since learned that I should split that up over more days and will do that from now on.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I’m not a stranger to animals but these are my first ferrets. I spend my days with horses and have some of my own I also have a Labrador, Helinka, who is my guide dog. I am legally blind but can see some, especially indoors. I’m glad I got 2 very different coloured ferrets as it really helps me know who I’m looking at. I can see them from the other side of the room, but not in a lot of detail. There is also a cat who lives in the house, but they’ve only seen each other a few times. I keep my dog and the ferrets mostly separate at the moment until the biting settles some.
As the girls are young, they are so full of energy. I look forward to the day they grow up a bit and my efforts pay off, so they stop biting me so much. I can see improvement, but they’re young and get excited.
As I live in Australia, I’m likely to be online at different times to my mentor.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Every day although some days are busier than others. I also have an iPhone.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
I will take these today and add them later.
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
Yep, I bought a new scale today as I think there’s something wrong with my other one.
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, I’m over 18 and just bought a new scale. I am still sourcing some more meats, but I have found one source of chicken liver and heart, and bought a small amount.
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, I understand
Edited to add my unofficial switching thread: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/22560/opal-charlottes-unofficial-switching-thread
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program . In a little while your mentor (FireAngel), 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 :cup: . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao