So, how do you start? + Other Questions

[lunartwist]

I don't have any ferrets yet. I probably won't until mid-fall or so. So this is all pre-ferret research.

But I was wondering, how do people start with putting fuzzies on a raw diet? I always seem to catch threads of people who have questions, but have already started. I'm just wondering how people start at the very beginning. Is there a special method, or do people just start mixing raw in with their diet and gradually change it, like you do with commercial kibble?

Also, what about pumpkin? I was kind of reading up on how sugary foods are bad for ferrets, and though pumpkin is a squash, its still pretty sweet, even when nothing is added to it. Is it just lower in sugar than I thought (since everyone here seems to use it)? Can you mix other things in their food for roughage? Like greens or small amounts of veggies? (Noted, that I do know that ferrets don't eat veggies naturally, and veggies are really only provided as fiber sources, not as a nutrition source.)

Anyway thanks for dealing with me and my noob-y questions.

[Sherry]

No such thing as a "noob-y" question
Ok, I started mine with soup. Since my original 4 already ate a kibble/cooked chicken version, I just gradually mixed in a raw puree.
With the new ones who came in following, I went straight to a raw puree. It took some convincing ;D They really do seem to think we are trying to poison them
With the babies, I usually just gave them some diced up chicken, and they went to town
While yes, pumpkin DOES have some natural sugars, you generally aren't giving enough of it on a regular basis to have much effect other than the one you are giving it for. And since they don't actually process the pumpkin, most of those sugars just pass right through the body anyway.
Some do freeze greens like lettuce, then mix in a small amount daily for roughage. I'd be carefull of other veg than squash, because a lot of them have higher sugar concentrations(by a wide margin in some cases).

[Deleted]

IF you get a baby they are REAL easy to switch. Like Sherry, any new baby I brought in went straight to raw. No problems. My older ones (my rescues who are around 2) took some time starting with soups. I could be wrong, but I believe if you feed a whole prey diet you don't have to worry about any roughage cause they will eat what ever is in the stomach of the prey. My ferrets get mice a few times a week. I personally don't add anything to their diet other than their meat/prey. I reserve pumpkin for when they are sick. When ever you do get your fuzz I would highly suggest signing up for the mentoring program. Sherry was mine and she was awesome!

[Deleted]

Agree with what's been said. Most apply for a mentor to switch so it goes a lot smoother when you have someone there to help you along the way. Made the experience less scary!

[lunartwist]

Thanks for all the feedback!

Yes I will definitely sign up for the mentor program when I acquire a fuzzy.

Hmm it seems like a baby fuzzbutt is the way to go..haha..

[Deleted]

It makes the switch easier, but there are other challenges. Nip and potty training especially

[Deleted]

Welcome to the fuzzy world Lunartwist! Happy to see you doing research before getting your ferret.

When feeding a ferret appropriate diet the first thing to do is let go of all the pet food feeding advertising claims.

Ferrets are obligate carnivores; their systems are not designed to use plant foods of any kind. That being said, their taste buds and noses WILL draw them to sweet foods. Which is how pet food manufacturers get them hooked. But the constant onslaught of sugars is what destroys them.

Ferret digestive systems are uniquely designed to optimize all manner of natural prey items and raw meaty bones. 

Starting them down this path will be an individual thing, sometimes causing numerous experiments with various meats, prey, sizes and textures.

Like has been said already, usually the younger ferrets are the easiest to introduce to natural foods, but I've had older ferrets switch from crunching kibble to natural in just a few meals. Still have one who refuses to switch. 

Pumpkin is generally reserved for occasional feedings twice a year when ferrets change their coats. 

Fats are extremely important to ferrets and I cannot stress enough that offering them a free choice unsalted lard lick, or even daily dabs of unsalted butter will help keep your ferret in good health.

Roughage is a food product solely necessary for herbivores! Ferrets do NOT need corn, grains, lettuce, fruits, or vegetables. Don't waste your money or risk your ferret's health with these food products.

Mouse morsels (prekilled or ferret dispatched) are the ideal dietary package for many reasons: from mental stimulation to oral health to nutrients to internal cleansing to least smelly deposits!

Besides rodents, ferrets relish day old chicks, quail, rabbit, crickets, nightcrawlers, super worms, eggs, cornish gamehen, fish and many other raw meaty bone items. 

Ferrets need calcium - lots of calcium. So edible bone is extremely important. My kids like chicken necks. And I pulverize egg shells for them too.

Taurine is another ferret essential which can best be met with multiple servings (I feed turkey or chicken heart daily) of dark meats per week.

Besides feeding naturally another natural approach which offers good health is to offer plenty of fresh clean water they can drink naturally from - which is best served from a deep heavy crock. Drip bottles just don't allow adequate hydration. Change water twice a day to ensure freshness.

This forum is chock full of wide ranges of experiences with ferrets and natural feeding and many newbies have started here. So jump in with both feet! You'll get tons of ideas and will be able to offer your next fuzzy friend(s)  a grand life!

Cheers,
Kim

[Sherry]

I don't actually try to recreate what is in the prey's stomach. I feed a wee bit of roughage daily with RMB's to replace the non digestibles they'd get with the fur from prey items, since I only feed those once a week at most.

[katt]

Both of mine were kits when they came home. Koda got home and I plopped him down in front of a chicken wing and he immediately ripped into it and started hissing to keep me away from his new tasty treasure. ;D
Kenai was and is my special baby. He was super bony when he came home and I am not 100% sure he was eating enough kibble. I think he still needed mommy's milk and was not properly weaned. (big surprise). So I had to start him on soupies at first to get him to taste it, and by the next day he was eating bones like a champ. He was a very insecure little thing I guess and just needed the extra lovings while being hand fed soupies and chunks.

With older ferrets it is more of a process. lol

Also, check out our Mentoring program. We will pair you up with a mentor and they will guide you through the switch. They will also ensure that you have the knowledge and skills to ensure that your fuzz have a properly balanced and varied diet for their complete health.


As for the pumpkin, Sherry pretty much covered it.