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Post by pretzeltheminiferret on Aug 22, 2018 15:19:06 GMT -5
I am currently working on switching my two ferrets to a raw diet after the loss of my 8 month old ferret Finley due to Hemophilia A. My 9 month old female is doing great and has been eating all the raw that is mixed in with her food and will eat quail and rabbit by itself. But my 9 week old male is having some trouble. I have had him for a week and a half and have already switched him to Wysong and Origin mixed together and that doesn't seem to bother him much, but now that I am trying to switch him to raw, he is having some major tummy issues. Every time I mix the smallest bit of raw food in with his crushed up food he has severe diarrhea. I tried separating all the meats and giving them one at a time and they all do the same thing to him. I don’t know what to do, I want them on raw so I don’t lose them too soon like I did Finley, but my mom is starting to think raw is a major pain in the but and to time consuming and expensive. She thinks it is bad for my new boy and might not be the best thing for him and she wants me to go back to kibble. I need some advice as to what I can do to help him with the raw switch. If he keeps having diarrhea my mom won’t let me switch him.
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Post by Sherry on Aug 23, 2018 9:20:53 GMT -5
First, you need to stop combining the raw and the kibble. For some it is a recipe for trouble. It sets them up for bacterial overload. Remove his kibble for about 2 hours, and try him with a chicken wing. He is young enough to accept a whole one. Play tug of war to get him interested. Don't be surprised if he hisses and barks trying to keep his prize  Also, raw causes wetter, looser stools than kibble. |
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Post by pretzeltheminiferret on Aug 25, 2018 1:02:01 GMT -5
First, you need to stop combining the raw and the kibble. For some it is a recipe for trouble. It sets them up for bacterial overload. Remove his kibble for about 2 hours, and try him with a chicken wing. He is young enough to accept a whole one. Play tug of war to get him interested. Don't be surprised if he hisses and barks trying to keep his prize Also, raw causes wetter, looser stools than kibble. We took him to the vet, turned out not to be the food, he had worms, but he is doing very good now. I have them fully switched to the raw now. |
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Post by Sherry on Aug 27, 2018 10:18:18 GMT -5
That's good to know that they've been treated and are eating well! What is their menu? We may be able to help you tweak it if necessary.
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Post by pretzeltheminiferret on Aug 30, 2018 20:05:56 GMT -5
That's good to know that they've been treated and are eating well! What is their menu? We may be able to help you tweak it if necessary. I am a first time ferret owner so most of this is still new to me. Right now their diet consists of: chicken necks, chicken thighs, chicken hearts, chicken liver, beef kidney and rabbit pieces. I am working on getting my 9 month old Pretzel to eat venison, my 10 week old Oliver is eating everything pretty well so far. I have also started to work on feeding them whole pray mice. Pretzel won’t touch it and Oliver will eat the head but nothing else.  |
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Aug 31, 2018 7:10:47 GMT -5
Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/24653/raw-food-switch-help#ixzz5PkyWRtbAMine would do the same---except eat the bottom half. I skinned them--- I cut them up--- and now I feed them with fur on. For one of mine, I would cut it up and put salmon oil on it. Then with another, I tied it on a cat toy since she liked chasing cat toys. Don't give up they will eventually get it. 48 hours---if i remember correctly, they are good to leave out. I am sure that is with fur on though. Also leave mice in cage overnight---the piece that is left. Ferrets like eating at night. Mouse cut up with salmon oil  |
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Post by pretzeltheminiferret on Aug 31, 2018 18:04:38 GMT -5
Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/24653/raw-food-switch-help#ixzz5PkyWRtbAMine would do the same---except eat the bottom half. I skinned them--- I cut them up--- and now I feed them with fur on. For one of mine, I would cut it up and put salmon oil on it. Then with another, I tied it on a cat toy since she liked chasing cat toys. Don't give up they will eventually get it. 48 hours---if i remember correctly, they are good to leave out. I am sure that is with fur on though. Also leave mice in cage overnight---the piece that is left. Ferrets like eating at night. Mouse cut up with salmon oil I will try cutting it up like that, both mine love salmon oil and Oliver will chase everything that moves. |
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Post by Sherry on Sept 1, 2018 8:00:36 GMT -5
Another thing to do is just leave it in with them. When mine don't eat a meal, the next one is exactly the same as they refused to touch.
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