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Post by zombieferrets on Feb 9, 2011 20:55:55 GMT -5
I know for raw food for cats and dogs you're supposed to feed about 3% of their body weight per day but that would be a VERY small amount for ferrets. Is that really all you'd give them? When giving raw do you kinda just let them "free feed"? Can you trust them to eat what they need when it comes to raw or do you need to give them the exact amount? www.naturesvariety.com/InstinctRaw/cat/allAlso what about Nature's Variety? They do a food in medallions that I love for its ease of feeding, however it's made for both cats and dogs which I'm not sure about. It says it has everything they need so I guess they put in bone and everything but is it enough for ferrets? My guys really enjoy the chicken and I'd expect they'd enjoy the other meats as well. Also a local store does a buy 10 get one free program for it which seems like a good deal. Orr is going the commercial route more expensive then doing it up yourself? Is it usually that easy to get everything they need yourself, though? I feel like maybe I should start with the Nature's Variety and then when I feel comfortable go it myself? Augh, I don't know. Any answers to any of my questions would be great appreciated!!! thanks y'all!!
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Post by Sherry on Feb 9, 2011 21:13:42 GMT -5
Generally, going the commercial route IS more expensive, depending on how many sales you can find I feed commercial in the a.m., simply because I've got some really lazy eaters. NV does have a decent food, but personally, I prefer something like Urban Carnivore. That way, I can add whatever I like to it, since it's just meat/bone/organ. don't like paying extra for things I don't want As for the amounts? holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=questions&action=display&thread=85One other thing commercial raw is really good for is adding in more exotic meats that you'd likely not be able to get otherwise.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2011 21:15:36 GMT -5
Generally, you feed 2-3 oz/day for females, and 3-4 oz/day for males. I just kinda eyeball it now and give my guys enough for to last until the next meal. I then give the remains to my dog (never very much) and give the ferts fresh stuff. So, yeah, generally you can trust them to eat as much as they need. I've never had a problem with over eaters.
I feed commercial raw mainly (Hare-Today), and it is a LOT more expensive than just shopping and doing the diet yourself. In my case the payoff works (I get better sources and more variety than my store offers), but if you have access to great sources (good stores, butcher's, ethnic shops and the like), really look into doing it yourself, definitely). Basically, if you can get at least three staple protein sources (free of additives and broths and the like) and organs/hearts, you're set.
I can't really help with the label you specified, although I'd look carefully at the indigestibles (fiber/plant/fruit) that may be in there. The percentage for that has to be low, as for anything else, I'm more than confident someone on here will be answering in detail for you ;D
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Post by Sherry on Feb 9, 2011 21:25:04 GMT -5
NV does tend to fall into that category. They are no more than 5% non digestibles, so that's ok.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2011 21:32:00 GMT -5
Most ferrets won't overeat. Kits and young ferrets eat a lot, and might get chubby, but usually lose that. I usually give food until the stop eating with some left over until next meal.
Commercial diets are easier in my opinion. But they are more expensive. I feed frankenprey, and it works. I add freeze dried raw in for some variety and because my girls love it. If you are considering a switch to raw, you can sign up for a mentor to help you with the transition.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2011 21:38:59 GMT -5
Yep... commercial raw is a good way to go if you're not comfortable feeding frankenprey (whole raw foods) and/or whole prey yourself yet. It's "balanced" in that it has the proper ratios of meat/bones/organs (so that you don't have to worry about giving too much or not enough of something). It's also easier to add variety and get them used to different protein sources before getting into whole stuff. It is expensive, like Sherry said, but it's definitely a good way to start and get them used to eating raw first. I wouldn't feed it solely for a long period of time since they wouldn't be getting the teeth cleaning benefits of frankenprey and whole prey. Although, I know a few people that feed mostly commercial raw and feed things like bonus velvet antler dog treats for their teeth, or feed whole foods or whole prey in addition to commercial/ground raw. There are a lot of options as far as commercial raw (only ones missing from the list are Primal and Hare Today which I personally love ;D) holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=questions&action=display&thread=83The amount you'll feed will vary depending on the ferret (which is explained in the link Sherry gave you). Most people feed 2-3 meals per day, each left out until the next meal. So, even though it's fed in meals, it's pretty much free feeding (ferrets have such short digestive tracts, so they eat pretty often). Hope this helps :3 P.S. I freaking love your forum name. It would be the best b-movie horror film EVER. :3 <3
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Post by Sherry on Feb 9, 2011 21:51:01 GMT -5
Just make sure about the company you are using. Not all of them are reputable, and the ratios aren't what they should be.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2011 21:53:33 GMT -5
Yeah, ferrets need high protein high fat, low fiber. It also needs taurine (you can supplement this yourself), preferably liver and another secreting organ (spleen, kidney, etc). It should have ground bone as well.
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Post by zombieferrets on Feb 10, 2011 21:48:49 GMT -5
Hm, okay. Thanks everyone. Sherry do you think NV is alright then? I'm used to comparing ratios in kibble and I know what is considered high for protein in kibble but I have nooooo clue when it comes to raw. What are the levels ferrets need in raw?
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Post by zombieferrets on Feb 10, 2011 22:07:27 GMT -5
Some questions I forgot: How often should you be mixing up the meat? I'm hoping to get at least 2 bags of NV tomorrow and I'll probably do chicken and then I think the store I go to carries buffalo, venison, and something else. I'm going to ask if they can get in rabbit for me too. I'll probably have to seal them up 'cause last time my chicken medallions started getting a little freezer burned. Does anyone have any recommendations for what works best to keep freezer burn away? Also only 4/5 of my ferrets will actually eat the raw. The one who won't is named Mushu. He's about 3 and is adrenal. His butt and half of his tail is naked and he was implanted with the suprelorin about a month ago but still isn't showing any changes. Anyway, I've tried raw, chicken baby food, canned food, etc. and unless I put it on my finger he won't eat it. Even then he only takes a bit before wanting to go. I'll keep working on him but if I have them all in the FN it'd be nice not to have to block just him off in the top portion with kibble. Okay, to the question: How long would it be okay for him not to eat if I take out the kibble? I know everyone else will eat the raw but would he be alright overnight if he still refuses to eat it? Thanks everyone!
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Post by zombieferrets on Feb 10, 2011 22:36:25 GMT -5
Oh and ferretdroogies - thank you! I think zombie ferrets would be the coolest things ever!
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Post by Sherry on Feb 10, 2011 22:40:07 GMT -5
First, yes, the NV frozen raw is fine. Just stay away from the freeze dried. It has whole pumpkin seeds in it for some reason :/ You need to have a minimum of 3 different proteins to cover their basic nutritional bases. So the chicken, bison, and lamb, for example. For freezer burn, try dividing the bags in half or quarters, rebaggie the ones you are going to use first in good quality freezer bags, and put the others in the deep freeze, rewrapped in other supplemental bags. Also, make sure they do NOT defrost at all when dividing them up. That will hasten freezer burn. Check the date on the bags you buy as well. Make sure they are the later dates. With the number of ferrets you will be feeding, 3 bags shouldn't burn that fast. With your stubborn guy, you may have to start him with soupies. Since he'll eat it from your finger for a bit, continue with that. Sooner or later he'll start taking more. When he does, switch to a spoon, then move him to the dish. Since his adrenal isn't controlled yet, I'd only take his kibbles away for around 6 hours max. instead of all night. When the first batch is empty
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Post by zombieferrets on Feb 10, 2011 22:47:16 GMT -5
Thanks Sherry. 3 different proteins over what time period? Different protein each day? Each meal? Each week?
I don't have a deep freeze and I don't know anyone that does, I just have a regular freezer attached to my fridge. If I wrap them up and stuff them as far back and under stuff should that be okay?
Also for feeding Mushu should I keep off the kibble if he's eating the raw off my finger? I mean I can give it to him while he's in the cage though I'll have to separate him from the others which sucks, but if he's out with me can I make sure he doesn't get any so that he's hungry and will eat the raw?
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Post by Sherry on Feb 10, 2011 23:02:48 GMT -5
Daily is preferable, so they don't imprint on one type of food. They will also get very bored with only one type for a few days, I've found. Especially once they are on full raw. I guess with the fridge freezer, you can only try. It should work, though, as long as the bag isn't near it's expiry date. With your stubborn one, try leaving the kibble out during the day, and give him more frequent smaller meals by hand. If you keep with the finger feeding regularly, it shouldn't take him long to move to a spoon. I'd really give it back at night til he's eating enough. They can drop weight quickly enough without having the adrenal disease to boot.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2011 23:03:33 GMT -5
I rotate daily, or every other day. It really depends on your schedule and how many proteins your rotating. With 3, I'd switch it daily.
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