Supplementing whole prey grinds?

[ferretlady]

I currently have three ferrets that only eat whole prey grinds from my pet carnivore. They are currently eating turkey, duck and beaver due to many food sensitivities I have experienced with other meats they’ve tried. I’m currently only supplementing bonemeal, taurine, and salmon oil I just don’t really know if I’m supplementing the right amounts. I’d like some advice as these are my first three Ferrets and I’ve done a ton of research but I’m still unsure of some things as all you know raw diet advice for ferrets is limited. I feed all three of my ferrets together so any amounts I’m listing are being shared by all three ferrets equally. They usually finish all or most of their bones so I tend to only supplement 1/2teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of bonemeal powder for every other meal. And for taurine I supplement with powder and turkey hearts since the powder makes me nervous I tend to only do a light sprinkle over top of their food once a week and then I do 1-2 turkey hearts throughout the week. So I’m just wondering if that’s too much or not enough and also if there is anything else I should be supplementing. The only thing I’m confident in my supplement amount is the salmon oil besides that I feel as though I’m taking shots in the dark. Overall they have good energy, good appetite, and maintain a healthy weight. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated on where I could improve and anything else I should be adding it as well.

[Corvidophile]

In a diet absent other taurine sources, you should be giving 500mg per day per ferret, and in a diet absent other bone sources, you should be giving approximately 1/4 teaspoon a day of bone meal per ferret per day. Salmon oil is supposed to be limited to a teaspoon, or up to diarrhea sensitivity. You can’t overdose them on taurine, they’ll just pee it out, so it’s safe to go over on that. Bone can constipate them if you go over, but it’s a temporary situation that you can see forming (hard, light, chalky stools) and cut back on what you’re doing. Whole prey commercial grinds tend to have the right amount of organ and bone for a ferret, but not quite enough taurine, so you’re wise to add in your own.

[ferretlady]

Jun 26, 2023 18:12:09 GMT -5 Corvidophile said:

In a diet absent other taurine sources, you should be giving 500mg per day per ferret, and in a diet absent other bone sources, you should be giving approximately 1/4 teaspoon a day of bone meal per ferret per day. Salmon oil is supposed to be limited to a teaspoon, or up to diarrhea sensitivity. You can’t overdose them on taurine, they’ll just pee it out, so it’s safe to go over on that. Bone can constipate them if you go over, but it’s a temporary situation that you can see forming (hard, light, chalky stools) and cut back on what you’re doing. Whole prey commercial grinds tend to have the right amount of organ and bone for a ferret, but not quite enough taurine, so you’re wise to add in your own.

Thank you for your advice so I will focus on supplementing the taurine. And I’ll only supplement my two ferrets with the bone meal every so often. I always check their poops to see how their tummy feels about any supplements too. One of my ferrets always eats his bones but my other two occasionally eat around them which is why I supplement bone meal every so often but I’ll do less now. I have a much better understanding for an appropriate amount of bone meal and taurine now based off your response. I try not to do too much salmon oil ever since I learned it’s an overhyped supplement so I do a teaspoon a week or less. Thank you for your response I really appreciate it I’m always focused on just giving the best diet and filling in any nutritional gaps. Just trying to be the best ferrent possible 😂. A raw diet can definitely be intimidating but this group is a huge help I’m forever grateful.