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Post by hazelrah on Aug 11, 2011 22:01:36 GMT -5
Also, I apologize for having delays in responding. This week has been full of setbacks as my computer and car both completely gave up the ghost within 24 hours of each other I have been trying to check in as often as possible, but I'm so sorry for the lag time!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2011 14:02:47 GMT -5
Unfortunately, that's what happens when kibble's available :C I'd just really watch the other two and keep them from it as best you can.
Keep offering him the soup, even hand feeding him if he likes that; just make sure that he has an hour or so free of kibble before you sit down with him and the soup. A good idea is to rough house and play with him intensively during that time, to get him geared up and a bit hungry (but without making him fast for a long period).
It's really important to get him *as comfortable* with raw as you can while he's still on kibble. Sometimes it just takes one guy longer to get on track, but that doesn't mean we should by any means stop. He *will* get to where we want him
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Post by hazelrah on Aug 13, 2011 17:25:22 GMT -5
Alrighty, will do. Is it ok just not to worry about the other two too much in terms of the kibble thing? All their chicken is still getting eaten, and I know they'll switch, so I'm trying to convince myself not to obsess over it, lol
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2011 0:26:45 GMT -5
The only concern I have is that it takes longer for kibble to break down and get digested (especially in hard form). So if they eat kibble then eat raw, the raw gets backed up and sits in the stomach longer. This slightly increases the risk for bacterial growth. (this is why, generally, if feeding a mixed diet, you feed one meal of raw and then kibble for the next).
If they show too much interest (eating it too steadily) you might have to think about only having playtimes where food isn't involved (or at least no kibble).
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Post by hazelrah on Aug 14, 2011 20:09:06 GMT -5
Ok, that makes sense. Oryx is fine, but Falcor will just sit there and eat anything BUT, I had to come on here and tell you as soon as I could, I'm so excited. I just put the regular chicken down for Oryx and Falcor, and Helo (formerly Taz ) came up and started licking it. This is not unusual , as he is obsessed with the oil. However, as I was watching, he picked up a piece of chicken to move it away from the oil and just KEPT EATING IT As I was writing "he's only eaten a couple bites that I can see", he actually just picked up a piece, moved it away, and continued to chew it up Just for a few seconds, but there was some serious intent there I'm super confused by this development, but totally not complaining, lololol
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2011 20:18:50 GMT -5
Oh my god, that's so great! He's slowly starting to accept it and get an interest in it. Getting them to even mouth the meat on their own is a big step. Hopefully, he'll keep that up! (and yes, I LOVE Helo's name! From his looks it does seem to fit him )
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Post by hazelrah on Aug 16, 2011 23:01:20 GMT -5
Haha, thanks, I think it fits him too I decided that Battlestar Galactica counts in my fantasy theme Also, I finally got my computer fixed! So no more relying on my roommate's (he has insane hours)!HOORAY In other good news, Helo is finally up to a healthy weight and energy level, so I'm going to start pushing the meat soup harder. Also, I get to "borrow" my boyfriend's blender, which will make the whole thing much easier So, feeling back on track after a bit of a setback
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2011 23:26:11 GMT -5
I'm glad things are working out! here's to getting this stubborn pooper to switch!
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Post by hazelrah on Aug 17, 2011 8:16:48 GMT -5
It's only a matter of time!
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Post by hazelrah on Aug 18, 2011 17:08:28 GMT -5
At this point my plan of action is to seriously present them with the switching process on Saturday night. I would start today, but I'm leaving town for 24 hours tomorrow and don't want to do one meal then throw them at my roommates (who will feed whole meat but not soup ). I'm assuming I'll keep following the plan of taking up the kibble for an hour and them providing soup, which I have been doing, but only once a day so it doesn't seem to be getting anywhere So here are my questions! -How many soup meals a day can/should I feed? I'm at home pretty much all the time right now, so that isn't a constraint, I can go with the ideal -Can I just approach Oryx and Falcor like they've never switched in order to keep everything simple? As in providing kibble with integrated soup meals with the same switching technique as for Helo -Should I still be worried about chicken allergies for Helo? IF I am, does that pertain to organs as well, or could I get CGH meat and chicken organs? Sorry I've been slacking a bit in terms of keeping up with the switch and posting, life got a little bit complex there for a moment
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2011 19:11:01 GMT -5
There is no set ideal (I know, I know, the vagueness is a PAIN). Generally, it's three to four meals a day (on the theory that it's a matter of just putting the bowl down and letting them eat and have the soup sit for 4-6 hours at a time), but if he's not actually consistently EATING the soup, you'll have to sit down with him more often than that, in frequent short sessions, to get him accustomed to it.
You can treat Oryx and Falcor the same, but it's a MAJOR step back for them, especially as I've not heard of any difficulties on their part (except for showing a bit more interest in kibble), and you are running the risk of confusing them enough with a major change, especially since Oryx was a bit more stubborn about the switch. I'd really, really, try not to integrate them into Helo's diet, right now.
Pixie has a chicken sensitivity, too, and I have fed her chicken organs and gizzards. Why? Because organs are relatively infrequent (once a week for your guys), and generally - unless it is a SEVERE case of allergies - that's not enough to cause a flare. However, you can feed pumpkin or squash with it to firm up poos (and I do see a difference when Pix gets tummy issues - she has IBD on top of it and is prone to ulcers - so I count it as a mild tummy soother as well).
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Post by hazelrah on Aug 21, 2011 17:03:34 GMT -5
Alrighty. So how should I handle the meals for Oryx and Falcor without setting them back too far? Offer them meals of whole meat at the same intervals as the soup for Helo?
He's had soup twice today, and ate some both times, but only when I was holding him. If I put him and the bowl down, even directly in front of me, he just kind of seems to loose interest and wanders off.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2011 17:14:34 GMT -5
I'd try that, first, possibly even getting them accustomed to being caged with their meal while you work with Helo, that way no one is distracted. Also, him losing interest - it's common. For stubborn switches, they tend to be more oriented to you - so you HAVE to be hands-on involved right now
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Post by hazelrah on Aug 22, 2011 10:43:17 GMT -5
Hmm, cage confinement, I didn't even think of that (see how well trained they have me?) Helo's focus on his food has actually increased significantly between my last post and this morning I still have to be sitting there, but his butt can actually be touching the floor and he'll keep eating! Plus, he totally demanded seconds this morning I think the new soup recipe you gave me is helping a lot, it seems like he's getting used to the taste much more quickly than he did with my soup attempts, lol.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2011 13:15:51 GMT -5
LOL, sometimes it takes a lot of trial and error to get a recipe going they like, so don't feel bad. I'm so glad he's improving and asking for seconds!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! \o\ \o/ /o/ \o/ .
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