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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2017 21:13:53 GMT -5
I have 2 ferrets, Dodger and Meeko. They each have kinda sensitive bellies. Currently, they are being fed Wysong Epigen 90 with Stella and Chewy's mixed in, but I am considering trying to switch them to just the Stella and Chewy's, as I am concerned that they may have a sensitivity to chicken, which is what the wysong is made from. Does anyone know if the Stella and Chewy's is enough for them? I can't really do raw any other way. I don't have any good sources around here. I want to give them the best I can, so please give me some suggestions!!
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Post by LindaM on Apr 5, 2017 23:15:43 GMT -5
If you can afford doing it for the long run, then yes. You will still need to offer at least 3 proteins though, so more than just the Duck, Duck Goose. I feed my ferrets Stella and Chewy's on their FDR/Commercial Frozen Raw days, and those count as complete meals, since they're balanced. I've been using the dog products, as the cat products now have a synthetic Vitamin K added these days. But since the dog ones are much lower in taurine than a ferret needs, I supplement with extra hearts in the week to make up for it. You could easily add some heart puree in with the rehydrated FDR.
Since it could be a sensitivity to chicken, you may need to source duck or turkey hearts online instead. Online providers like Hare Today come to mind. Or if you can talk to a butcher or visit an Asian store, you can probably get pork hearts or the like too.
And, as with all things like grinds and FDR, you will need to brush their teeth for them since they cannot clean them through their food as they would've when getting frankenprey bone-in meals.
On another note, Wysong Epigen 90 is known to cause stomach upsets due to the new formula, have you tried using Wysong Digestive instead? It's the old Epigen 90 formula. Also, do you rehydrate your FDR or just mix it in dry? FDR should always be rehydrated or if will lead to even more dehydration than kibble already causes. But all things aside, a raw diet, whether it is FDR or Frankenprey, will still be better than even the Wysong Kibble.
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Post by Sherry on Apr 6, 2017 9:36:50 GMT -5
You can definitely feed freeze dried alone, but it is very expensive. You may be further ahead to order in from a place like Hare Today. Shipping is expensive, but buy in bulk to make it more moderate.
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Post by boozle on May 18, 2017 4:05:06 GMT -5
sorry - it is the ultimate natures variety, it has no peas
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Post by LindaM on May 18, 2017 4:30:55 GMT -5
boozle Doing just Stella & Chewys would still be the healthier option in this case. NV Instinct Limited Ingredient kibbles contain Peas as the second ingredient, and Tapioca as the third (indigestible). Peas, along with Sweet Potatoes, have been said to relate to an increase in kidney and bladder stones when included in the animal's diet, and thus plenty of owners would rather avoid them, or have them as far down the ingredient list as possible. NV Instinct does make a few decent kibbles, though some are pretty bad too and with low levels of meat compared to grains, fruits, and veggies that get added in with it. I'm not able to see exactly how much of the full percentage the first ingredient (Duck or Turkey) is in these, and one will likely need to email the company to get an idea, as I don't think the bag says unlike some of the other NV Instinct products, but the fact that it contains peas is enough reason to try and avoid it and simply use something better in place of it instead. Orijen is a good example.
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Post by boozle on May 19, 2017 15:52:05 GMT -5
I forgot they added peas , so sorry
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Post by LindaM on May 19, 2017 16:30:09 GMT -5
boozle No worries, you're fine. Like I said, NV does actually do some decent kibbles (I'd used some myself before) too, so it's a very easy mistake to make. But when it comes to offering a form of raw (long as one's wallet can afford the cost), versus any kibble, it will always be a better choice. Granted the commercial raw in question isn't entirely crappy, since there are some that have way too little meat and way too many veggies on the market as well. (headwall)
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2017 2:51:23 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for the advice!! I'm trying some different things to help with their tummies, so we'll see how it goes!
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Post by Sherry on May 24, 2017 10:15:16 GMT -5
A number of people noticed issues with the regular Wysong's also after they changed their formula. So odds are it isn't the chicken, but the other ingredients.
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2017 15:04:22 GMT -5
Found this on an Amazon review.
Hello all,
Our customers spoke and we listened. As of early February 2017, we have removed the menadione sodium bisulfite complex (aka. MSBC, a source of Vitamin K) and pea fiber in our dinners for cats. In our continued commitment to provide only the best nutrition to your feline friends, our fish-based products now contain dandelion greens (a rich source of vitamins and minerals) as well as fenugreek seed (another great source of vitamins and minerals). As always, the dinners for cats are still 98% meat, organ meat and bone with added probiotics, vitamins and minerals.
Please be patient as these products work through the supply chain and as the information is added to our website. Please note that any bag with a best-by date of 2/2/18 or later will be affected by this positive change. Feel free to reach out to our customer service team if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Stella & Chewy's
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Post by Sherry on Jun 2, 2017 9:27:29 GMT -5
Oh excellent to hear!
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Post by caitmonster on Jun 12, 2017 11:09:37 GMT -5
Jumping on a little late, here, but wow, thanks for posting that! I had written to them back in October asking about the Vitamin K.
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Post by silentdook on Sept 8, 2018 14:54:20 GMT -5
I've been using the dog products, as the cat products now have a synthetic Vitamin K added these days. But since the dog ones are much lower in taurine than a ferret needs, I supplement with extra hearts in the week to make up for it. You could easily add some heart puree in with the rehydrated FDR. Hi, can you expand on the Vit K problem, please? What is it that's bad about it? TIA
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