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Post by val66 on Feb 17, 2011 23:36:51 GMT -5
Hello! I've finally decided to switch my ferret, Copper, to a raw diet. I'm expecting it to be quite a challenge since it took a good couple of months to switch him from his original food to EVO ferret food. And it took him about a month to decide to like his new treats (cat chicken jerky treats from Happy Hips). He also eats N-bones, which I would like to eventually replace with a raw chicken bone (or wing) once a week for dental health (IF he'll eat it). Anyway, for the raw diet I was leaning towards Primal Feline formulas, except for the Chicken/Beef diets which I think may have too much protein (or maybe not, if it's rotated daily with the other formulas?). I think I may be able to get it at a good price if my feedstore orders it because the plant is really close to here. I would also consider a product called "Paw Naturaw," if anyone's heard of/used it with good results. I also have access to Nature's Variety. I am certainly open to cheaper commercial raw food options (not cheaper quality, though), if you have any suggestions. Anyway, I'm worried about the recommended daily portions from Primal. It says Copper would only need one nugget a day. ONE. I mean, that would be awesome, but it doesn't seem reasonable. How much should a 2.5 lb male ferret eat per day? Like 5% of his body weight? And, I guess this is kinda an important question...how do I get Mr. Prissy Pants to eat this new food? I was thinking a mix of starvation and force feeding, but perhaps someone has a less drastic and potentially kinder method. Also, I read that raw diets make their poop smell less? Is this true? Because that would be AWESOME. His poops are terrible. And numerous. I personally don't feel HE smells, though. I don't know why ferrets have a rep for smelling bad...they really don't smell strongly. Anyway, sorry for the novel. Thanks for any help!! -Val
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Post by Heather on Feb 18, 2011 0:18:38 GMT -5
I would strongly suggest taking a prowl through the switching threads in the mentoring section for some ideas on how to "gently" switch your little one. There are a ton of methods and many don't require force feeding and starvation. I would read through some of these and see if there is something that appeals to you in regards to you little one. You can also apply for a mentor as well. I don't know about the commercial food that you plan to feed. Jennifer and Sherry are much better with the commercial foods that are good for ferrets than I am . What do you mean about too much protein? Raw meat is raw meat? What additional foods are in the mixture? ciao
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2011 0:29:55 GMT -5
I can answer a few questions about the commercial raw I used to feed my guys Primal over other brands because I liked the composition, and they actually list the calcium to phosphorus ratio, percentage of meat/bones/organs, and percentage of veggies/fruits and supplements! Most companies don't list that kind of info (the make-up) of their foods. It is good information to know so that you know it's a balanced raw diet. As far as the feline chicken and beef formulas, the problem with those versus the other feline formulas is that it has 10% veggies/fruits which is too much plant matter for a ferret (since they can't digest it). Now, as far as veggie/fruit content, 5% or less is best since it does take the place of indigestables that they would run into in the wild (in the form of fur, sinew, denser bones, etc). Some people use ground mixes with nothing in it except the meat/bones/organs (in the proper percentages which I will get to) and add a few supplements like taurine, fish oil, and pumpkin or squash (in mush form - great for fiber). I think the less ingredients, the better IMO. When looking for a good brand of commercial raw, it should have at least 75% meat, 10-15% edible bones, and 10% organs (and optional 5% or less plant matter). You can also reach this overtime when you feed a good variety (so if the composition isn't perfect for all of the mixes, don't worry to much). I know a few people that feed Nature's Variety (it's pretty popular), and they seem to do pretty well on it. Most commercial brands you will run by are going to be expensive, so I can't really think of ones that might be cheaper. I want to say I remember Paw Naturaw having too much veggie matter, but I can't remember There is an awesome place called Hare Today, but I could see it being expensive for just one ferret since the best way to save money is to order in bulk. I will link it anyways www.hare-today.com/The calculation that you use to determine how much to feed a dog/cat doesn't apply to ferrets ;D They will eat way more than 2 or 3% of their body weights easily. I would try feeding him two to three times a day (when feeding raw, unless it's freeze-dried or dehydrated which can be left out 24/7) and put enough food in there each feeding for him that there is a little bit left over each time. One problem I wanted to bring up with commercial raw (in frozen form) doesn't have the teeth cleaning benefits, so you will have to include some RMB's for teeth cleaning at least a few times a week (if not more). There are some other options for teeth cleaning, but raw bones and/or whole prey are best. Any bones smaller than a chicken are edible, but anything bigger is too dense for ferrets. As far as convincing a ferret that it's edible, I can't help you too much there ;D Go ahead and sign up for the mentor program on this forum in which they will help you switch your ferret. Here's a few links for commercial raw (both frozen and freeze-dried forms) that are good for ferrets: holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=questions&action=display&thread=83holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=questions&action=display&thread=82Hope this helps
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Post by Heather on Feb 18, 2011 0:39:12 GMT -5
Thanks ferretdroogies for filling in for my shortcomings about commercial diet. Well done ciao
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2011 0:47:01 GMT -5
Thanks ferretdroogies for filling in for my shortcomings about commercial diet. Well done ciao Thanks... that means a lot coming from someone as knowledgeable and experienced as you
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Post by val66 on Feb 18, 2011 13:51:44 GMT -5
I would strongly suggest taking a prowl through the switching threads in the mentoring section for some ideas on how to "gently" switch your little one. There are a ton of methods and many don't require force feeding and starvation. I would read through some of these and see if there is something that appeals to you in regards to you little one. You can also apply for a mentor as well. I don't know about the commercial food that you plan to feed. Jennifer and Sherry are much better with the commercial foods that are good for ferrets than I am . What do you mean about too much protein? Raw meat is raw meat? What additional foods are in the mixture? ciao I will certainly look through those threads, thank you. As for the protein, please excuse me, I meant PRODUCE. The chicken and beef vareities have 10% produce vs. 5% from the other formulas.
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Post by val66 on Feb 18, 2011 14:35:21 GMT -5
Thanks ferretdroogies! That is a lot of info!
So...how much do you think a 2.5lb male ferret should eat per day? Just an estimate?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2011 14:42:53 GMT -5
I have fed my two boys both Nature's Variety and the Primal Feline recipe. They do well on both. You are correct to question the feeding guidelines, they are for cats. My boys easily ate 4 patties each per day, that's approximately 4 ounces. Typically, when i feed these options I give them 4 patties in the morning and 4 at night (~ every 12 hours). If i see the patties gone sooner, I feed more. They are a really convenient option
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Post by val66 on Feb 18, 2011 17:56:12 GMT -5
How much do your ferrets weigh, jacksmomma?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2011 18:00:12 GMT -5
Jack is 2 pounds 4 ounces and almost 3 y/o. Brady is probably pushing 3 pounds and 6 months
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Post by Sherry on Feb 18, 2011 23:29:00 GMT -5
My males will eat approx. 4-5 oz per day. They are between 2lb- 3 1/2 lbs, and range from 3-4 1/2 years of age. A lot depends on activity level, health, and age, as well as size. The usual commercial raw I feed is Urban Carnivore. But it's only available in Canada. I've also fed Nature's Variety, as well as a couple of other Canadian brands. Def. check the produce amount in it. You want no more than 5%, and the less fruit the better. Fruit is full of sugar, which is not good for any obligate carnivore! For ferrets, sugars/carbs are being linked with insulinoma.
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Post by val66 on Feb 26, 2011 17:17:02 GMT -5
Just a small update: I had some of the NV beef patties left over from when I tried it with one of my dogs. Probably like 3lbs or so, already cut into 2 oz portions. Obviously, being a kibble rat, he didn't want to try any, so I scruffed him for the first taste. After that, he would lick it, but wouldn't eat. So I made him soup. He loves it. He gets all excited when I grab his bowl because he knows he's getting more soup. The only issue so far is that he likes to leave a pile of the bone bits (licked clean) at the bottom of his bowl. Hopefully he likes the Primal varieties just as much. I'm planning to rotate between NV chicken, Primal turkey, pheasant, and either NV or Primal rabbit (whichever one costs less).
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2011 17:48:42 GMT -5
Awesome! That's great news! I'd also consider feeding some wings or necks for teeth cleaning
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Post by Sherry on Feb 26, 2011 22:43:53 GMT -5
That's fantastic! Yeah, mine will leave the larger bone bits as well They are still getting enough, however, to keep their stools good, so I'm assuming they are eating enough bone. I do, however, only feed comm. raw in the morning, and evening is either RMB's, whole prey, or meat chunks.
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Post by val66 on Feb 27, 2011 16:45:14 GMT -5
I hope to add chicken wings or just chicken bones in the future for dental health, but I don't think he'll accept it just yet.
The transition's definitely not flawless...his stool is a little loose (somewhat formed, but too watery) and I can tell his bowel is a bit irritated because it's also a bit bloody. His spirits are still up, so I'll just offer him his kibble and give his gut a rest. Which raises another problem, since he doesn't want to eat his kibble anymore in favor of the soup. LOL
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