Post by katt on Oct 9, 2011 0:01:21 GMT -5
I want to clarify on how to "Scruff N Stuff" as it is a method that is commonly used to get ferrets to eat new foods. The idea is not to force feed the ferret, but to get them to taste the food. A better term would be "Sruff N Sample."
Method 1:
Hold the ferret in your lap, gently grab their scruff with one hand. Keep the majority of the ferret's weight supported in your lap. Wait for the ferret to yawn and slip the piece of food into their mouth. If they spit it out do not force them to eat it. If they do not yawn, you can rub the food on their gums, or gently slip it in between their teeth if they will let you. Remember the idea is not to stress them out, but to get them to simply taste the food.
- Many ferrets will proceed to eat the chunk of food once it is in their mouths. If not, then this method may not work for your ferret, or they may just need more time to acquaint themselves with the idea that it is actually food you are giving them and not poison.
- With soupies this works well because you can put a little soup on your finger and rub it on the ferret's tongue.
(sorry for the quality, I will try to get a better video later)
Method 2: (no video yet sorry, boys were being squiggly tonight)
Hold the ferret in your lap and gently scruff them with one hand. Keep their weight entirely in your lap, the scruff should not lift the front paws. Hold food in front of the ferret (you might want to try Scruff N Stuff method 1 first to get them to taste it). DO NOT shove the ferret's face into the food or vice versa! This method can help convince stubborn ferrets to eat, and/or to eat ALL of their food instead of a few licks.
The keys with both methods are GENTLE, NO STRESS, and NO FORCING. These can be used to help convince stubborn ferrets to taste new things, but they do not work with all ferrets. If you feel that this stresses your ferret out, stop doing it and try another method. You do not want to break your ferret's trust in you.
Good luck! I hope this helps some of the newbies out there.
Method 1:
Hold the ferret in your lap, gently grab their scruff with one hand. Keep the majority of the ferret's weight supported in your lap. Wait for the ferret to yawn and slip the piece of food into their mouth. If they spit it out do not force them to eat it. If they do not yawn, you can rub the food on their gums, or gently slip it in between their teeth if they will let you. Remember the idea is not to stress them out, but to get them to simply taste the food.
- Many ferrets will proceed to eat the chunk of food once it is in their mouths. If not, then this method may not work for your ferret, or they may just need more time to acquaint themselves with the idea that it is actually food you are giving them and not poison.
- With soupies this works well because you can put a little soup on your finger and rub it on the ferret's tongue.
(sorry for the quality, I will try to get a better video later)
Method 2: (no video yet sorry, boys were being squiggly tonight)
Hold the ferret in your lap and gently scruff them with one hand. Keep their weight entirely in your lap, the scruff should not lift the front paws. Hold food in front of the ferret (you might want to try Scruff N Stuff method 1 first to get them to taste it). DO NOT shove the ferret's face into the food or vice versa! This method can help convince stubborn ferrets to eat, and/or to eat ALL of their food instead of a few licks.
The keys with both methods are GENTLE, NO STRESS, and NO FORCING. These can be used to help convince stubborn ferrets to taste new things, but they do not work with all ferrets. If you feel that this stresses your ferret out, stop doing it and try another method. You do not want to break your ferret's trust in you.
Good luck! I hope this helps some of the newbies out there.