Post by otto on Dec 27, 2011 1:49:23 GMT -5
COWABUNGA!
My name is Otto. We live in Pacific Northwest of Canada with my lady friend.
I am just waiting to get our first ferret from the shop, where He arrived few days ago. The pet shop manager thinks he is too weak to go to my house. Keeping him at the pet store rather than in our care seems to be better they think. if my new friend get really ill, they will front the vet bill.
I stumbled upon your forum few month ago and was totally stoked and delighted about the information I had found.
I like to live very holistic myself and believe eating raw and whole, well balanced and preferably organic food is the ultimate for my own well being and therefore am stoked to learn that I can feed my new fuzzy family member the same way. So I already want to thank you for that. Thanks for being there as a source of information and inspiration.
We tried for some months to adopt a ferret from a few different ferret rescue shelters and private individuals but since we did not find one that was young enough and with a matching personality,we decided to turn to a pet store. I somehow regret this decision, since we did not have a direct interaction with the breeder and only got handed a photocopied slip with a photocopied signature, and since Supporting a corporate chain stores is something we do not usually do, and just the feeling I generally get from pet stores is not good.
We named him Runt Ed since he is the runt of the litter, but just in few days or so has been showing incredible improvement in energy levels, appetite and fatness, which brings me to a question that I was hoping someone here could answer to me and help me decide how to approach this troubling matter the best way.
So...of course the pet store is feeding this three and a half week ferret kibble soaked in water, which he seems like he has just started munching. I don't really know how good appetite he has towards it, but he is nibbling away every time we go and visit him and it makes me not too happy thinking that every bite of this processed mushy kibble he swallows is unnatural and unwanted and not something I am planning on feeding him. Should we ask the manager at the store not to feed him any more kibble (what if they don't even know about the alternative of raw diet)? And since we already paid for him and they say no to taking him home earlier, should I tell them I want to be able to introduce him to raw food as soon as possible, therefore should have him home with me? Someone just told me yesterday that it's not good to feed ferrets raw food and kibble at the same time, is this true or just a rumour. I know now that feeding your ferret live prey does not flick a switch in their head and make them a little predator beasts who will attack their owners and run wild around your house but is it harmful to ferrets digestion to feed kibble and raw and not just one or other for a while?
So this is our love story so far. Omg I feel such a protective motherly/fatherly instinct towards him and just want all the best for him and feel so sorry he has to be alone in that cage still for another two weeks in that pet store. BUT so happy he did jump in my life(literally he leaped out of the cage).
so I am hoping to be part of this forum and contribute some stories and experiences in the least. Have a good one you all!
peace,
Otto & Krissy & Poor little Runt Ed (from his cage)
My name is Otto. We live in Pacific Northwest of Canada with my lady friend.
I am just waiting to get our first ferret from the shop, where He arrived few days ago. The pet shop manager thinks he is too weak to go to my house. Keeping him at the pet store rather than in our care seems to be better they think. if my new friend get really ill, they will front the vet bill.
I stumbled upon your forum few month ago and was totally stoked and delighted about the information I had found.
I like to live very holistic myself and believe eating raw and whole, well balanced and preferably organic food is the ultimate for my own well being and therefore am stoked to learn that I can feed my new fuzzy family member the same way. So I already want to thank you for that. Thanks for being there as a source of information and inspiration.
We tried for some months to adopt a ferret from a few different ferret rescue shelters and private individuals but since we did not find one that was young enough and with a matching personality,we decided to turn to a pet store. I somehow regret this decision, since we did not have a direct interaction with the breeder and only got handed a photocopied slip with a photocopied signature, and since Supporting a corporate chain stores is something we do not usually do, and just the feeling I generally get from pet stores is not good.
We named him Runt Ed since he is the runt of the litter, but just in few days or so has been showing incredible improvement in energy levels, appetite and fatness, which brings me to a question that I was hoping someone here could answer to me and help me decide how to approach this troubling matter the best way.
So...of course the pet store is feeding this three and a half week ferret kibble soaked in water, which he seems like he has just started munching. I don't really know how good appetite he has towards it, but he is nibbling away every time we go and visit him and it makes me not too happy thinking that every bite of this processed mushy kibble he swallows is unnatural and unwanted and not something I am planning on feeding him. Should we ask the manager at the store not to feed him any more kibble (what if they don't even know about the alternative of raw diet)? And since we already paid for him and they say no to taking him home earlier, should I tell them I want to be able to introduce him to raw food as soon as possible, therefore should have him home with me? Someone just told me yesterday that it's not good to feed ferrets raw food and kibble at the same time, is this true or just a rumour. I know now that feeding your ferret live prey does not flick a switch in their head and make them a little predator beasts who will attack their owners and run wild around your house but is it harmful to ferrets digestion to feed kibble and raw and not just one or other for a while?
So this is our love story so far. Omg I feel such a protective motherly/fatherly instinct towards him and just want all the best for him and feel so sorry he has to be alone in that cage still for another two weeks in that pet store. BUT so happy he did jump in my life(literally he leaped out of the cage).
so I am hoping to be part of this forum and contribute some stories and experiences in the least. Have a good one you all!
peace,
Otto & Krissy & Poor little Runt Ed (from his cage)
OMG Are they sure...poor wee mite, no wonder they won't let you have him, his eyes won't be open yet. If you go into our breeder section you will see kits of varying ages. If you don't mind me asking where are you located? They should never sell wee kits at that age. They should still be with their mommas, they would just be learning how to eat real food and still nursing.
) You will be able to easily switch the wee one over to a good healthy when you get him home (there is no point in stressing him or the petstore any more than necessary). Some people actually feed kibbles in the morning (or evening) and a raw meal alternate. When we're working at switching the adults, kibbles and meats are often mixed or given closely together. It's not ideal but many will tolerate this, with only mild stomach upsets. If your wee one is only 3 weeks I can see why the store will not release him, he's not old enough to be with you. Look at it as protection for you. At that age a failure to thrive isn't uncommon, especially considering the circumstances. No breeder would ever allow their ferrets to leave as such an age (they are usually at least 10 weeks before leaving) Usually, petstore (farm) ferrets are altered at 5 or 6 weeks and then shipped (in deplorable conditions I might add 
)getting to their petstores when they're about 7 weeks. At this point in time they're old enough (albeit very stressed) to be sold. Many stores will hold them at this time to see if they don't come down with a stress illness before selling them to the public. I will guess that this is this store's policy as well. I know of many petstores that will hold all incoming ferrets for a minimum week to two weeks to ensure minimal returns. These petstores often have vet clauses (if the ferret becomes sick within "x" number of days they will cover vetting up to a sum of money or refund the purchase price) 
;D ;D ;D ;D)
Like Heather has said, although the kibble is not ideal in any way, at least they are giving a mush which he can eat. Since he's so tiny, you'll likely want to start him off easy on the bone anyway(think cornish game hen, quail, and smaller bones like that) until he builds up some jaw strength. Poor little mite 
And that you've introduced some raw to him. I don't think I"d be doing the kibble/raw mix with him either. His tummy is just too young, and it could be causing him some problems.
;D
Belly getting a bit chubs but all other is merely skin and bone
sleepy friends.
Any idea yet if he's also deaf? Both of mine are.