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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2012 17:05:41 GMT -5
I'm hoping to make the switch from kibble and occasional chicks to whole prey probably, but was interested in looking at raw too to be sure I was making the right decision. The pre-packaged raw mixes they sell in the US aren't available in the UK for ferrets, but there are loads for dogs and cats. I was looking at the packaging for some of these frozen ones, and I know normall I'd be looking 35% protein, 20% fat normally, but these all contain loads of water content. Do I include the water content in my calculations, or do I discount it? For example, if the packaging was 25%Protein, 15% fat, 50% water, 10carbs, would I work that out as 50% Protein, 30% and 30% carbs, or am I just being mad? Any help much appreciated!  |
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Post by Sherry on Jan 25, 2012 18:28:29 GMT -5
Lousy at math here ;D What you want is something that is 5% nondigestables. As in grains/fruits/veg.
The protein and fat levels you are referring to are usually associated with kibble. Looking at the one I have here(Nature's Variety), it lists
Protein: 13%
Fat: 6.0%
Fiber: 2.0%
Moisture:68%
Front of the pack says:
95% meat(in this case chicken and turkey)
5% vegetables, fruit
0% grains
Even though it has 5% vegetables, etc it works out to 2% fiber because the veg. proteins are included in the total count. If your's works out the same way, then the veg. content would be really high.
Hope that helps?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2012 18:35:02 GMT -5
Okay, I'll have a scour of the pet shop at the weekend and see what stuff they carry to get an idea if there's anything here I can feed to do a combined whole and raw diet easily.
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Post by Sherry on Jan 25, 2012 18:36:49 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2012 18:39:32 GMT -5
Fantastic, thank you! I've been looking all over the internet for this sort of thing, and everything I've found so far is either over-priced or rubbish.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2012 11:47:51 GMT -5
Bit of a stupid question - some companies are advertising "whole ground rabbit" for example, and the description reads: "Whole Wild Rabbit, minced, frozen - Wild rabbit, skinned and gutted, but including all the meat, liver, kidneys, heart, lungs & bones - all finely minced and supplied frozen in 0.5kg packs. Approx. 65 % meat content." First of all, minced bones are okay to feed, right? I know cooked bones aren't because they splinter, but is this okay? Also, because this rabbit has been skinned, does it count as whole prey? Is the fur important or not?  Here's the website for any clarification: www.woldsway.co.uk/acatalog/Pet_Meat.html |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2012 12:11:58 GMT -5
First of all, minced bones are okay to feed, right? I know cooked bones aren't because they splinter, but is this okay? Yes, minced bone are fine Also, because this rabbit has been skinned, does it count as whole prey? Is the fur important or not? The lack of skin and fur would make it lower in fiber (which can be easily replaced with plained canned pumpkin or squash). The lack of skin might lower the fat a little, but rabbit is naturally very lean so it probably doesn't make much of a difference. Plus, most ferrets will avoid the fur + skin on rabbit anyway. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2012 12:15:36 GMT -5
Canned pumpkin and squash don't really exist over here. Is there anything else, or can I give them fresh pumpkin/squash?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2012 12:25:11 GMT -5
You can buy your own squash/pumpkin and bake it, scoop out the insides, and blend it up |
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