Starting Soupies

[Deleted]

I am the worst at posting on the correct thread so my apologies!!!!

Im ready to start the soup stage with my 2 ferrets but confused on where to start. I have already made the soup and have made them try it a good amount of times. They still absolutely HATE it. What if the genuinely dont like it and im forcing them to eat something they hate? LOL I know im overthinking but thats what goes through my mind. I also feel terrible for taking their kibble away. I know I shouldnt because raw will be the best for them I just feel bad they arent eating the soup so they are kinda starving themselves in the evening, ya know?



This is what I have been doing for the past two days. Giving them kibble in the morning, taking it away around 2 or 3 so when they wake up later in the day the soup will be there. They wont touch it and seem disgusted but Ive been syringe feeding them tiny tiny bits. Again they hate it so everytime I have to scruff them and put them under my arm. THEY HATE IT. I try and be nice obviously though about it and repeat 'good boy/girl' while they run away.

Then giving them kibble at night in the cage when they are locked up. (I know I shouldnt do this because they learn that they dont really have to eat the soup and just wait for night kibble thats why Im asking what to do)





Is there anyway to make it warmer without cooking it? I feel like they would love it so much more if it wasnt cold because they love eating the Marshall Chicken pellets soaked in hot water and soft. I know I can put warm water in a bowl and let it sit on top in another container but that doesnt work too well for me, niether does just running hot water on the plate before putting the soup on it.

[LindaM]

Do kids like veggies? Not from what I have seen, but it's good for them. Momma knows best! But that doesn't mean that these cute little buggers won't manipulate the crap out of you and play hardball. That, and ferrets imprint on food at a young age ("everything after that is poison and must never be eaten"-kinda deal), so it's a little harder to switch them later in life and it usually needs to be done more gradually for them than kits who will just eat anything. You, momma ferret, are going to have to teach them that it's safe and good to eat.

Do not fuly take their kibble away until they are actually eating the raw soup of their own free will (meaning you don't need to force or finger or spoon feed). Ferrets can, and will at times starve themselves. But in this time, also don't let them know that they can just wait out for the kibble either.

It's best to try this when they are hungry, but you don't have to. Over the next few days, try some sessions of "Grab'n'Dab". Grab a ferret and support them in your lap, and dip your finger into the soup, and dab it on their mouth, then simply let them go. Usually, they'll get some licked off and run away to clean their face on the carpet. Wait a little, and then do it again. Be patient and persistent with it, this allows them to taste it. You can do this throughout the day if you have time, or in little 20-30 minute sessions, dabbing every 5 minutes. Eventually, they'll start willingly lick it off your finger, and you can then move onto the spoon stage and then out of the bowl.

I used to thaw my soup to room temperature, which tends to be fine for most, or when my soup was kinda thick, I sometimes had to add a little water, and I'd use warm (but NEVER hot or it'll cook) water with it. Most often than not, my little spoiled snots, weren't happy with the texture of soup that had been frozen and preferred fresh batches, or one kept fresh for a few days in the fridge instead.

Let me know how it goes with the Grab'n'Dab, if you are still having issues, we can try an incentive.

[Sherry]

I use the grab and dab method with many Another possibility is they simply hate the syringe. Try sitting with them and a plate in your lap, and using your finger or a spoon, hold it in front of their noses/mouths. Most will compulsively lick at that point so wind up tasting it. Here is a link with the method I described to give you a better idea holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/8342/documenting-switch-new-ferrets