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Kibble
Sept 6, 2022 16:59:33 GMT -5
Post by Sheila on Sept 6, 2022 16:59:33 GMT -5
I have an unfortunate situation that has happened that I never thought I would come across. In our state, we don’t have any law against rental price increases. Our lease has just expired and the new management has just turned it into low income apartments. We are allowed to stay but it will be an increase of $600 a month. It will be EXTREMELY tight. But other places are that much more or more. We have had to really had to tighten our budgets. One of those ways is the way we feed our 2 ferrets one my service dog. They have always been fed raw grinds and whole prey. I cant do Frankin prey due to my disability it is just too much work for me. Every one is being switched to high quality kibbles. I have started the ferrets on 2 different recommend ones (Instinct High Protein Cat Food, Ultimate Protein Grain Free Dry Cat Food duck and Dr. Elsey's Cat Food) but I have a couple questions. Are they supposed to have both dry and soaked at all times? And how much should they be eating? I don’t know how to gauge if I am making sure I am ensuring they are eating enough during this time of teaching them that this kibble is food. We have only been at it for 24hrs and I am making sure they are getting some soaked (soup consistency) every 2 hrs during the day. How do I get them to try the hard kibble? Thank you!
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Kibble
Sept 7, 2022 6:57:40 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Corvidophile on Sept 7, 2022 6:57:40 GMT -5
If they’re used to crunching bones through whole prey, they have the jaw strength to eat kibble just fine. You just need to convince them it’s food. Are they eating the kibble mush successfully? If so, just wait a little less time to set it out for them in increments. Like if you were soaking it and waiting ten minutes for it to fully mush, wait eight minutes next time, and less and less, until it’s just wet on the outside and crunchy in the center, and then stop wetting it.
Most people free-feed ferrets kibble I think. Mine would get fat pretty quick if I tried that, I know, so it’s up to how yours behave. After you’re sure they’re eating it comfortably, first give them unlimited kibble and see how much they’re eating of it to get a baseline of what they want, then set out only that amount divided into two or three meals throughout the day, and monitor their weights weekly. If they’re gaining, reduce it a little. If they’re losing, try adding a squeeze of salmon oil on top for calories or feeding them an extra egg or two a week. You may notice they eat more of it wet as it smells stronger and is easier to swallow, in which case go back to wetting it to encourage more.
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Kibble
Sept 7, 2022 14:14:40 GMT -5
Post by Sheila on Sept 7, 2022 14:14:40 GMT -5
Ok. Thank you very much.
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Kibble
Sept 7, 2022 17:13:22 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Corvidophile on Sept 7, 2022 17:13:22 GMT -5
Oh, one more thing! If they’ve moved on to kibble, especially if it’s soft and wet, you need to start brushing their teeth. I think twice a week at least is what’s recommended.
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Kibble
Sept 8, 2022 13:26:31 GMT -5
Post by eclipso on Sept 8, 2022 13:26:31 GMT -5
ferret.love/ferret-food-chartHere's some options of kibble for them, also whole prey made for feeding reptiles is quite cheap sometimes, you could try those if you want. (https://perfectprey.com/frozen-mice/) Hope it helps!
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Kibble
Sept 9, 2022 20:19:42 GMT -5
Post by Sheila on Sept 9, 2022 20:19:42 GMT -5
If they’re used to crunching bones through whole prey, they have the jaw strength to eat kibble just fine. You just need to convince them it’s food. Are they eating the kibble mush successfully? If so, just wait a little less time to set it out for them in increments. Like if you were soaking it and waiting ten minutes for it to fully mush, wait eight minutes next time, and less and less, until it’s just wet on the outside and crunchy in the center, and then stop wetting it. Most people free-feed ferrets kibble I think. Mine would get fat pretty quick if I tried that, I know, so it’s up to how yours behave. After you’re sure they’re eating it comfortably, first give them unlimited kibble and see how much they’re eating of it to get a baseline of what they want, then set out only that amount divided into two or three meals throughout the day, and monitor their weights weekly. If they’re gaining, reduce it a little. If they’re losing, try adding a squeeze of salmon oil on top for calories or feeding them an extra egg or two a week. You may notice they eat more of it wet as it smells stronger and is easier to swallow, in which case go back to wetting it to encourage more.
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Kibble
Sept 9, 2022 20:24:25 GMT -5
Post by Sheila on Sept 9, 2022 20:24:25 GMT -5
I would love to get them eating the hard kibble. But my 1 year old girl is being such a lazy brat and is REFUSING to go past soup stage. I know I have not been at it very long at all. So I will keep at it. My male will take it at an oatmeal thickness as long as I use my fingers to start then he will eat out of the bowl.
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Post by Sheila on Sept 9, 2022 20:27:49 GMT -5
I would love to get them eating the hard kibble. But my 1 year old girl is being such a lazy brat and is REFUSING to go past soup stage. I know I have not been at it very long at all. So I will keep at it. My male will take it at an oatmeal thickness as long as I use my fingers to start then he will eat out of the bowl.
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