Post by Heather on May 31, 2011 0:04:20 GMT -5
Name: Marnie
HF Forum Username: silverben
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I always do a lot of research on ferret foods and look around different forums, and I've seen many people talking about whole prey/raw diets.
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.
Both me and my boyfriend are vegetarian. I do not want to compromise my ferrets health because of my beliefs, but I was thinking mostly a commercial raw diet supplemented with a bit of fresh raw so we don't have to prepare too much meat ourselves. I do want to do whats best for my ferrets though.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I got my first two ferrets a year ago from a girl who didn't want them anymore, and the male has constantly struggled with sickness. I recently got a third baby ferret, and want to get them all as healthy as they can possibly be while it will be easy with the youngin. And get the sicky (Rufus) on his feet again.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Yes my boyfriend and I are willing to do anything for any one of our pets.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
I have three ferrets. Rufus is a white albino male, around 4. He is slightly underweight (although much better than he was!) Since we got him he's had diarrhea and ups and downs of weight and energy loss/gain. He's had numerous tests, and been on many medications. He's been getting a bit better lately on a mixture of different medications and a diet low in chicken meat. Revan is a standard chocolate female, around 3. She's a good weight and hasn't had any illnesses, but her coat is a bit choppy and dull. Rylan is the newest member, he's a standard sable and about 3 to 4 months old. He's overweight due to being kept in his cage most of the time before we got him.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Food: Rufus and Revan are on a kibble diet of EVO cat food, Zupreem ferret food (not much of this in the mixture), Regional Red dog kibble (for Rufus as a different source of meat) and Nature's Variety Instinct Duck cat kibble. They get a duck soup made of pumpkin puree, EVO and Zupreem kibble, chicken breasts with the skin and bone, and ferretone.
Treats: They both get occasional treats of Ferretone and Ferrevite. Revan also gets the occasional treat of Marshall's chicken treats, and Rufus gets Benny Bully's freeze dried beef livers (Revan unfortunately won't touch them).
Food: Rylan is slowly getting switched over from Marshall's to Rufus and Revans kibble diet.
Treats: Rylan occasionally gets some duck soup, freeze dried beef liver, ferretone and a tiny bit of ferrvite.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No the closest they have had is the freeze dried liver, duck soup and a can of rabbit meat cat food. Rufus loves the liver, but will only eat the duck soup when it's very watery, and he had to be scruffed to eat the rabbit. Revan won't touch the liver, but will eat chunkier duck soup and ate the rabbit meat fairly well.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
As I stated before, my boyfriend and I are both vegetarian and don't enjoy preparing meat. I also don't know of anywhere around where I live that I would be able to purchase the types of meat that are recommended for a raw diet. We both however, will be willing to do as much as we can to make sure our ferrets are happy and healthy.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Almost every night, and some days.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
I'm not sure how to post pictures on here, but I do have some on facebook in my Pets album. Unfortunately I think I have to be be friends with you for you to see. Ill put the links anyways.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Sunnyberra) 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: silverben
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
I always do a lot of research on ferret foods and look around different forums, and I've seen many people talking about whole prey/raw diets.
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.
Both me and my boyfriend are vegetarian. I do not want to compromise my ferrets health because of my beliefs, but I was thinking mostly a commercial raw diet supplemented with a bit of fresh raw so we don't have to prepare too much meat ourselves. I do want to do whats best for my ferrets though.
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I got my first two ferrets a year ago from a girl who didn't want them anymore, and the male has constantly struggled with sickness. I recently got a third baby ferret, and want to get them all as healthy as they can possibly be while it will be easy with the youngin. And get the sicky (Rufus) on his feet again.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
Yes my boyfriend and I are willing to do anything for any one of our pets.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
I have three ferrets. Rufus is a white albino male, around 4. He is slightly underweight (although much better than he was!) Since we got him he's had diarrhea and ups and downs of weight and energy loss/gain. He's had numerous tests, and been on many medications. He's been getting a bit better lately on a mixture of different medications and a diet low in chicken meat. Revan is a standard chocolate female, around 3. She's a good weight and hasn't had any illnesses, but her coat is a bit choppy and dull. Rylan is the newest member, he's a standard sable and about 3 to 4 months old. He's overweight due to being kept in his cage most of the time before we got him.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
Food: Rufus and Revan are on a kibble diet of EVO cat food, Zupreem ferret food (not much of this in the mixture), Regional Red dog kibble (for Rufus as a different source of meat) and Nature's Variety Instinct Duck cat kibble. They get a duck soup made of pumpkin puree, EVO and Zupreem kibble, chicken breasts with the skin and bone, and ferretone.
Treats: They both get occasional treats of Ferretone and Ferrevite. Revan also gets the occasional treat of Marshall's chicken treats, and Rufus gets Benny Bully's freeze dried beef livers (Revan unfortunately won't touch them).
Food: Rylan is slowly getting switched over from Marshall's to Rufus and Revans kibble diet.
Treats: Rylan occasionally gets some duck soup, freeze dried beef liver, ferretone and a tiny bit of ferrvite.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
No the closest they have had is the freeze dried liver, duck soup and a can of rabbit meat cat food. Rufus loves the liver, but will only eat the duck soup when it's very watery, and he had to be scruffed to eat the rabbit. Revan won't touch the liver, but will eat chunkier duck soup and ate the rabbit meat fairly well.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
As I stated before, my boyfriend and I are both vegetarian and don't enjoy preparing meat. I also don't know of anywhere around where I live that I would be able to purchase the types of meat that are recommended for a raw diet. We both however, will be willing to do as much as we can to make sure our ferrets are happy and healthy.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Almost every night, and some days.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
I'm not sure how to post pictures on here, but I do have some on facebook in my Pets album. Unfortunately I think I have to be be friends with you for you to see. Ill put the links anyways.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Sunnyberra) 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