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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2017 12:58:06 GMT -5
My female ferret Lilith is a little over three years old now and she has always been very small. I went to the vet for her annual checkup and some vaccines and the vet told me that she was alarmingly small. Because Lilith has always been the smallest ferret I never thought this was a diet issue but my vet was very firm with me on this subject and now I'm very worried about my poor fur baby. Are some ferrets naturally skinny so that you can feel their ribs like some cats and dogs? Because I can feel her ribs, but I cant see why because she eats a lot and she definitely doesn't have any parasites because I had her tested. She is very playful and her poops are healthy too. I think that she is happy but I cant quit thinking about why she is so small and skinny. I cant see her rips through her fur but when you feel her sides they are pretty apparent. What I feed her now is a mixture of Marshalls and Katee ferret diet. Any feedback would be appreciated, thank you!
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Post by LindaM on Jul 24, 2017 13:12:47 GMT -5
Some ferrets have a whippet build, they are smaller and thinner than a ferret with a bulldog build or the like. I have a whippet girl, she weighs around 1lb 13oz (the ounces part fluctuates at times), but she is very active and considered completely healthy since her last vet check.
Sometimes you can feel ribs, as you can feel all bone. Question is, can you see them? Hold your ferret in a dangle, they should look like a straight tube.. if their sides dip in under the ribs, they are underweight, if their sides bulge out below the ribs then they are overweight.
Also, please, please consider putting her on the species appropriate diet of raw.. or at least a better kibble. Marshall kibble, and even Kaytee, will kill your ferret. No joke there, awful as it sounds. Those kibbles are horrendously unhealthy and bad for a ferret's health, and will definitely lead to insulinoma in your ferret. Marshall does this because it works.. you buy a ferret, buy their product, ferret dies, and you buy another from them.. all the while they just rake in the money and your tears without a care in the world. If you wish to do a healthier kibble, try Orijen Cat kibble. MUCH healthier than that poison in a bag.
Also, if you are very concerned with her weight, a balanced, raw diet has been the best way I found my fuzzies to get to healthy weights. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns and we'll be happy to help.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Jul 24, 2017 14:30:19 GMT -5
R u interested in changing to raw?
U can even do a mixture of these types of raw---grinds, frankenprey, freeze dried raw and whole prey.
You can start giving snacks of whipped egg or just egg yolk for protein as well(egg gives funky stools but is normal).
Stools with raw is wetter and smaller---but can be nicely formed, which I see when eating mice or rat. Organs will give loose stool but is very necessary that they get organs once on raw. I gave my first ferret tablespoons of egg yolk occasionally --did not know too much back then about feeding raw.
I would not give any snacks made for ferrets like bandits or others stuff. Although it may have chicken protein, it is loaded with fillers like wheat, soy, corn, artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. Also they can be using the protein in wheat and soy to bump up the protein analysis.
My Abbey was skinny on Wysong kibble. She could go under the washing machine. She picked up weight once on raw. Someone may know about better kibbles on here,if you do not want to change.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2017 23:09:57 GMT -5
Thank you for responding. I have tried getting her to eat raw little by little but I'm having a hard time. I knew id have a hard time switching her over so old. You say Origen cat kibble is good? If I only fed her that would that be a balanced enough diet considering that is cat food and not ferret food? I will see if any of my local pet stores carry that. Thanks again so much for the feedback I feel a lot more at ease.
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Post by LindaM on Jul 24, 2017 23:13:12 GMT -5
Cats are also obligate carnivores, so yes the more high-end brands do alright. In all honesty, commercially marketed ferret food are the worst thing for your ferret, because it is LOADED with indigestibles, often having 50% or more being plant-based ingredients.
You can always sign up for a mentor to help you switch your ferret. Any ferret can be switched, no matter how old or stubborn, it just takes more work. A raw diet will always be better for your ferret.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2017 23:47:06 GMT -5
Thank you so much, I will switch her to a high end cat food for now until I have the means to switch her to raw and try out the mentor program you're talking about.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Jul 25, 2017 4:00:35 GMT -5
Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/23293/underweight-ferret#ixzz4npGsoNzrThe babies are about the only ones who will skip the forum soupie and go right to eating meaty bones and chunks. I brought my baby home from Petco, and she was eating chicken wings the next day. I cut off drummette and gave her lower section, She munched on it like a pro, and would stash what was left. With my olders ones, I did the forum soupie. You can read people's switching threads(with mentors) to see how it typically goes ---although you can't comment in their thread. I had my own self-switching thread--- no mentor--- until someone was free. People will assist you in your self-switching thread. All the info here will get you acquainted with raw feeding. holisticferretforum.com/natural-diet/raw-diet-the-meat-of-the-site/ The raw soup recipe is in here too. Although it can be a intimidating, it is rewarding and can be fun preparing things. Enjoy reading, and ask as many questions as you like. |
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Post by unclejoe on Jul 26, 2017 20:29:11 GMT -5
what does she weigh, anyway? I've had a couple girls that never got to 1.5 lb
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Post by lyles on Jul 27, 2017 0:04:24 GMT -5
My ferrets are raw fed and still on a diet because I fed them both too much duck lol
If you want fat ferrets, ground raw duck.
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Post by LindaM on Jul 27, 2017 0:15:30 GMT -5
lyles Pretty much a diet of any kind of grinds will do that. It's much easier for them to overeat like that, because they basically just inhale the food, no real need to work for it. Lazy little snooters. Duck just fattens a bit faster since it's a fatty meat, but it can happen even on other grinds.
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ferretdude
Junior Member
Currently owned by a fluffy angora, a poley hybrid and a naughty sandy kit
Posts: 211 
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Post by ferretdude on Jul 27, 2017 5:10:30 GMT -5
hmm your little one sounds like my Gizmo.... all ribby. I was quite worried as Gizmo is very small and skinny looking for a 3 year old hob but when i picked him up and did the dangle test it turned out he was fine so as long as your baby is active and eating well I would try to relax a bit
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Post by Sherry on Jul 27, 2017 9:45:39 GMT -5
My smallest girls weighed in at 480 grams, and 530 grams repectively. As long as they are eating and playing well I'd not worry.
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Post by crazylady on Jul 31, 2017 13:35:05 GMT -5
Hi I have had them at 10oz winter and summer tiny whippet ferrets there are micro ferrets that weigh even less! not every ferret is big and butch its all down to type some of my boy look terrible at the moment because they have shed all there winter weight and are in hunt for a female mode ( they eat less and run more lol ) as long as she is active and eating well I would not worry take care bye for now
Bev
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Post by Thérèse on Aug 1, 2017 8:11:40 GMT -5
crazylady I cannot imagine your ferrets could ever look terrible. The few pictures I have seen of them over the years (both here and the village) and pictures of their progeny (Heather's beauts) just confirm my belief that they are the most beautiful ferrets in the world. Sorry, off topic but couldn't let that one slide.
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