Post by Heather on Nov 16, 2017 13:23:31 GMT -5
Name: Kaitlyn
HF Forum Username: CollieCountess
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: Yes, I'm 23
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
On this forum when I was learning about ferret care.
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 assistance transitioning my new boys from kibble, to frakenprey, and the occasional whole prey treat.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I want them to live long and healthy lives, and feed them what is best for them.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment?
Yes.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? If so, what medications are they currently on? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
Two
Paint - 3 - 4 months. Healthy, weights 3.17 lbs. Owned since 9/16/17
Ratchet - 2-3 months. Healthy. Weighs 2.75 lbs. Owned since 9/16/17
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Petstore was feeding them Marshall's kibble with warm water on it.
So far they are eating:
Pork - Large chunks
Chicken - Large chunks
Beef - Large Chunks
Lamb - Large Chunks
Chicken Wings - Whole
Chicken Hearts - Whole
Soupie
Pork Tail - Whole
Beef Liver - Large chunks
Beef Pancreas - Ground
Whole Egg - Whisked
Beef Kidney - Large Chunks
Frog Legs - Whole
Turkey Necks - Whole
Averaging about 12 - 15 oz a day for the pair of them.
Still turning their noses up at salmon oil. I'll keep trying but so far, it's just a big nope.
I also really want to add some whole prey in there too to make up for lack of variety.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, I've never had ferrets before.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I'm a new ferret owner, and I really want to do my best for these boys. I don't do pet ownership halfway.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
6 Nights a week. 1 Night a week is agility class with my collie.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Ratchet - i.imgur.com/nnrVY8B.jpg
Paint - i.imgur.com/9fTrpWE.jpg
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
Yes
12. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
Yes to all.
13. Do you understand that if your mentor or an admin recommends seeking veterinary care and you refuse to seek appropriate care you may be dropped from the mentoring program?
Yes
14. We occasionally have a wait for a Mentor to be available. While you wait we encourage you to get started by creating your own switching thread under Diet Transitions where all of our mentors and members can help you while you wait for your personal mentor. See here --> holisticferret60.proboards.com/board/66/diet-transitions
If you create a transition thread, please copy the link below for reference:
holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/23556/transitioning-ratchet-paint
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Sherry), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun. Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao
HF Forum Username: CollieCountess
Please confirm that you are 18 years of age or older: Yes, I'm 23
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
On this forum when I was learning about ferret care.
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 assistance transitioning my new boys from kibble, to frakenprey, and the occasional whole prey treat.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I want them to live long and healthy lives, and feed them what is best for them.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It requires a commitment of several months at minimum. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switching your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as committed. The switch takes time and effort every single day. It can also be extremely frustrating at times. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc), or limited time due to work, then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing and realistically able to make the necessary time commitment?
Yes.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? If so, what medications are they currently on? Are they overweight? Underweight? How long have you had each ferret for?
Two
Paint - 3 - 4 months. Healthy, weights 3.17 lbs. Owned since 9/16/17
Ratchet - 2-3 months. Healthy. Weighs 2.75 lbs. Owned since 9/16/17
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc) Do they already eat some form of soup?
Petstore was feeding them Marshall's kibble with warm water on it.
So far they are eating:
Pork - Large chunks
Chicken - Large chunks
Beef - Large Chunks
Lamb - Large Chunks
Chicken Wings - Whole
Chicken Hearts - Whole
Soupie
Pork Tail - Whole
Beef Liver - Large chunks
Beef Pancreas - Ground
Whole Egg - Whisked
Beef Kidney - Large Chunks
Frog Legs - Whole
Turkey Necks - Whole
Averaging about 12 - 15 oz a day for the pair of them.
Still turning their noses up at salmon oil. I'll keep trying but so far, it's just a big nope.
I also really want to add some whole prey in there too to make up for lack of variety.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No, I've never had ferrets before.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I'm a new ferret owner, and I really want to do my best for these boys. I don't do pet ownership halfway.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
6 Nights a week. 1 Night a week is agility class with my collie.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
Ratchet - i.imgur.com/nnrVY8B.jpg
Paint - i.imgur.com/9fTrpWE.jpg
11. Do you have a scale sufficient to measure soup ingredients AND to regularly weigh your ferrets?
Yes
12. Have you met the requirements for this program? Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have your scale, a place to access meats, hearts, livers, etc?
Yes to all.
13. Do you understand that if your mentor or an admin recommends seeking veterinary care and you refuse to seek appropriate care you may be dropped from the mentoring program?
Yes
14. We occasionally have a wait for a Mentor to be available. While you wait we encourage you to get started by creating your own switching thread under Diet Transitions where all of our mentors and members can help you while you wait for your personal mentor. See here --> holisticferret60.proboards.com/board/66/diet-transitions
If you create a transition thread, please copy the link below for reference:
holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/23556/transitioning-ratchet-paint
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Sherry), will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun. Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
ciao