Ferret throwing up right after trying soup?

[nannah]

Hey, I'm so sorry if this isn't the right place :S 

but I got a new ferret from some owners who were moving, and I've been trying to transition him to a raw diet, starting with soup of course. But right when I finish getting him to taste the soup, about a couple minutes later, I find him throwing up some foam. Is that too early to know of sensitivities, or is he purposefully regurgitating the food/taste??

thanks!!!

[Sherry]

That is quite likely directly in response to the fact he still considers the soup poison ;-) He is trying to get the taste of it out of his mouth lol. One of mine used to spit, retch, gag, twist, whimper, whine, etc for quite a long while when first transitioning him. Think of a 2 year old having to eat something he/she hated, and the extreme responses you will get from them.

[Deleted]

Hahaha I tell people all the time when working with dog training to view them as perpetual toddlers that never will truly grow up, I'm beginning to think the same is true for ferrets.

[Sherry]

Oh they truly are! I tell people ferrets are a perfect combo of toddler and teenager. All the wonder and joy for life and curiosity of a toddler, with all the attitude of a teenager ;-)

[nannah]

omg!! what a little baby!

so I just keep persisting, despite him wanting to throw it back up? is there any way I can help him . . . or make him . .. uh, not want to do that?

[Deleted]

I would probably try slowly spoon feeding. Just dab a bit on the nose, let him take just what is on the spoon and wait and see. If still getting sick try again next meal time. If after 2 or 3 continued problem meals perhaps I would consider substituting a different meat and make a new batch of soupie.

I'm new to ferrets and so far our small business is transitioning almost ridiculously easy. Just what I would do but if any of the mentors have different suggestions follow their advice first. I am only using past experience with other animals I have cared for and happily acknowledge the experts here are truly knowledgeable and wonderfully open with their advice.

[Sherry]

Dab the nose, put him down and let him lick it off. Dab the nose, let him lick it off. Pick up, offer from a spoon on your lap. Let him go kind of at his own pace, while pushing him just a wee bit.