Post by Heather on Mar 15, 2011 23:05:41 GMT -5
Name: Val
HF Forum Username: val66
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Here, I guess, is where I first really learned about natural diets for ferrets.
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 switch to commercial raw, particularly Primal turkey and pheasant formulas (probably not quail due to the price), NV chicken, and either NV rabbit or Primal rabbit (whichever is cheaper). I would also like to give him a chicken wing or similar as a meal a couple times a week for dental health. His teeth have always been kind of terrible.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I've seen the before and afters, and I like it! Also, he never really cared for kibble. And his poops smell really bad. Also, he could smell better. And, of course, I want him to live a long time.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Yep, he has already made it quite clear that he's not going down easy. LOL
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
I have one ferret named Copper. He is nearly 3 years old (March 25). He has no obvious health problems, though I would like him to gain some weight.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
He gets EVO ferret food, Catswell chicken jerky, and N-bones (they were supposed to help his teeth, but aren't nearly hard enough for that...but he likes them, so, for now, they stay).
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
If by "past" you mean the last month, then yes. He took to the soup like a champ, but has now decided that it's not food.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Copper is my first ferret, so that was a learning experience by itself. He has taught me that I never ever will want more than one at a time. LOL He likes to bite ankles and run away chuckling. He also likes to steal my dogs' toys and my shoes and hide them under the couch. He's not house trained (unfortunately for him), but he is cage trained. He's a very interesting little guy.
About me...I'm an Animal Science major at UC Davis, hoping to one day go to vet school. So, of course, I love animals. The end.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
All the time.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Hi
I'm Heather, and we're going to be working together for the next little while trying to convince your furbaby to change to a healthier diet
I've been feeding a raw/natural diet for a little over 10 yrs. I have a small private rescue/sanctuary, just outside of Toronto, Canada where all ferrets turned into me are switched immediately over to a raw diet that consists of ground raw/whole meats or frankenprey/ and prey diet. At present every ferret eats this full range of diets. I don't keep kibbles in the house. All my furbabies are free roaming and have access to an outdoor play area that they can access at will. At present there are 12 little fuzzbutts who call this their permanent home. They range in ages of about 1 yr to my senior citizen, Dr. Pooka Dooks who is approx. 10 yrs. My most difficult switch was a little senior who was turned in at 9 yrs of age (she by the way has been my biggest raw switch challenge, which had me at times wondering why I was doing this to her) She eventually was completely switched and putting on a beautiful dark black coat, teeth that were nicely cleaned up, and she actually has a lot of fun investigating the house (she used to do nothing but sleep when she first was turned in). She has made me aware that every ferret no matter how old, can get a new lease on life by eating a species appropriate diet. She eventually passed on at 11 yrs of age to complete organ failure....old age.
Raw soupy is my favourite switching tool and one that I've had the most success with.
You can try to get them to eat a raw soup immediately. You will need a blender/food processor, and the following raw items:
8 oz raw chicken thigh meat (including skin and fat)
1/2 tsp of crushed eggshell powder (take a raw eggshell. Rinse it out. Let it dry. Crush to powder)
1 raw chicken heart
1/2 raw chicken liver
Water or broth(use more to make it soupier, less to make it thicker)
Blend ingredients together. Some prefer it at room temp. Try putting a dollop of "soup" onto your ferret's nose and they probably will lick it off. I use my finger. Sometimes this takes a little bit trying to convince them that you're not trying to poison them I find within a very short time they're licking this off my finger. When I see that they're willing to eat freely off my finger then I use a small spoon to try and get them to eat from that. Try to get them eating the soupy on their own. It might pique their interest.
Most ferrets will willingly eat the food once they actually TASTE it, so the only struggle you *should* encounter is them not wanting to taste it. Don't be surprised if your furbabies' initial reaction is to gag, spit and look at you like, what are you trying to poison me with But don't let them get away with it The hardest part is to insist and be consistent. Please also be aware that after years of kibbles they aren't aware that what you're offering them is indeed food. Once they willingly eat from your finger and spoon, work to try and get them eating this out of a dish or plate.
Each time you make your soupy, use a little less water to make it thicker/chunkier. Replace soup with fresh soup every 4-6 hours. You can make a large batch if you like and freeze into ice cubes or cupcake trays. Then you just thaw a portion and serve. OR you can put a frozen "cube" into their bowl and let it slowly thaw.
This is a good way to slowly ease them into wet foods. I use this method to switch all my furbabies and I've personally switched approximately 30 ferrets of my own in the last few years.
I will let you read through and if you have any questions please ask.
Good luck
ciao
HF Forum Username: val66
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
Here, I guess, is where I first really learned about natural diets for ferrets.
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 switch to commercial raw, particularly Primal turkey and pheasant formulas (probably not quail due to the price), NV chicken, and either NV rabbit or Primal rabbit (whichever is cheaper). I would also like to give him a chicken wing or similar as a meal a couple times a week for dental health. His teeth have always been kind of terrible.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I've seen the before and afters, and I like it! Also, he never really cared for kibble. And his poops smell really bad. Also, he could smell better. And, of course, I want him to live a long time.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Yep, he has already made it quite clear that he's not going down easy. LOL
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
I have one ferret named Copper. He is nearly 3 years old (March 25). He has no obvious health problems, though I would like him to gain some weight.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
He gets EVO ferret food, Catswell chicken jerky, and N-bones (they were supposed to help his teeth, but aren't nearly hard enough for that...but he likes them, so, for now, they stay).
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
If by "past" you mean the last month, then yes. He took to the soup like a champ, but has now decided that it's not food.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
Copper is my first ferret, so that was a learning experience by itself. He has taught me that I never ever will want more than one at a time. LOL He likes to bite ankles and run away chuckling. He also likes to steal my dogs' toys and my shoes and hide them under the couch. He's not house trained (unfortunately for him), but he is cage trained. He's a very interesting little guy.
About me...I'm an Animal Science major at UC Davis, hoping to one day go to vet school. So, of course, I love animals. The end.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
All the time.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Hi
I'm Heather, and we're going to be working together for the next little while trying to convince your furbaby to change to a healthier diet
I've been feeding a raw/natural diet for a little over 10 yrs. I have a small private rescue/sanctuary, just outside of Toronto, Canada where all ferrets turned into me are switched immediately over to a raw diet that consists of ground raw/whole meats or frankenprey/ and prey diet. At present every ferret eats this full range of diets. I don't keep kibbles in the house. All my furbabies are free roaming and have access to an outdoor play area that they can access at will. At present there are 12 little fuzzbutts who call this their permanent home. They range in ages of about 1 yr to my senior citizen, Dr. Pooka Dooks who is approx. 10 yrs. My most difficult switch was a little senior who was turned in at 9 yrs of age (she by the way has been my biggest raw switch challenge, which had me at times wondering why I was doing this to her) She eventually was completely switched and putting on a beautiful dark black coat, teeth that were nicely cleaned up, and she actually has a lot of fun investigating the house (she used to do nothing but sleep when she first was turned in). She has made me aware that every ferret no matter how old, can get a new lease on life by eating a species appropriate diet. She eventually passed on at 11 yrs of age to complete organ failure....old age.
Raw soupy is my favourite switching tool and one that I've had the most success with.
You can try to get them to eat a raw soup immediately. You will need a blender/food processor, and the following raw items:
8 oz raw chicken thigh meat (including skin and fat)
1/2 tsp of crushed eggshell powder (take a raw eggshell. Rinse it out. Let it dry. Crush to powder)
1 raw chicken heart
1/2 raw chicken liver
Water or broth(use more to make it soupier, less to make it thicker)
Blend ingredients together. Some prefer it at room temp. Try putting a dollop of "soup" onto your ferret's nose and they probably will lick it off. I use my finger. Sometimes this takes a little bit trying to convince them that you're not trying to poison them I find within a very short time they're licking this off my finger. When I see that they're willing to eat freely off my finger then I use a small spoon to try and get them to eat from that. Try to get them eating the soupy on their own. It might pique their interest.
Most ferrets will willingly eat the food once they actually TASTE it, so the only struggle you *should* encounter is them not wanting to taste it. Don't be surprised if your furbabies' initial reaction is to gag, spit and look at you like, what are you trying to poison me with But don't let them get away with it The hardest part is to insist and be consistent. Please also be aware that after years of kibbles they aren't aware that what you're offering them is indeed food. Once they willingly eat from your finger and spoon, work to try and get them eating this out of a dish or plate.
Each time you make your soupy, use a little less water to make it thicker/chunkier. Replace soup with fresh soup every 4-6 hours. You can make a large batch if you like and freeze into ice cubes or cupcake trays. Then you just thaw a portion and serve. OR you can put a frozen "cube" into their bowl and let it slowly thaw.
This is a good way to slowly ease them into wet foods. I use this method to switch all my furbabies and I've personally switched approximately 30 ferrets of my own in the last few years.
I will let you read through and if you have any questions please ask.
Good luck
ciao
Great stuff that's two proteins that he will eat. Sounds like a plan. You are doing well, both of you. Now you are aware that you have to serve and get him to eat a minimum of 3 different types of proteins to get this to work right? and this is a minimum...the more proteins that he will eat the healthier his diet will be.
