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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2012 15:59:47 GMT -5
I've been looking for ways to incorporate more variety into our rotation and I came across this site: gratefulpet.com/Has anyone had any experiences with them? They have great prices but you have to order 28lbs... I figure that TTFR and I can order together and split coasts because they have some cool products that I feel would advance even our current menus + they have a nice variety. I'm hoping this isn't like a too good to be true deal... So anyone used them or does anyone see potential problems??
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Post by goingpostal on Feb 8, 2012 19:05:48 GMT -5
Are they close to you? Because the prices look higher than hare today and it looks like the shipping would be too, they have an extra charge.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2012 19:40:20 GMT -5
I didn't notice the extra shipping charge... Does that still apply if I am within a three day shipping range? They are in FL and I'm in VA, that should qualify as less than three days I think. I'm a bit confused on that part, actually. Maybe I need to spend more time checking out Hare Today because their site wasn't working well on my iTouch...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2012 19:10:49 GMT -5
I don't use them. Probably never will. Main reason being is hat I like to see what I am feeding. I am extremely skeptical of ground meat itmes intended as pet food. Once the animal is ground up it looks like practically any other animal doesn't it? I certainly am not going to the expense of sending off samples to a lab for identification. Also what sanitary processes are they adhering to when grinding? And IF (or WHEN) they have a contamination issue - will you be alerted BEFORE you've handled the products or fed it to your animals?
Beyond that I do NOT like their deceptive use of the term "WHOLE PREY"! Whole prey is just that - the whole entire animal available in its NATURAL form for your carnivore to devour! Grinding up a whole animal does NOT offer the same benefits as feeding an ENTIRE WHOLE PREY item.
The drawback to feeding grinds is that it is a soft food that does NOT stimulate the teeth and gums and will cause oral health problems. Surprisingly faster than even kibble does! Feeding whole prey in its entire natural form makes the carnivore use its entire set of teeth and the piercing of the hide, or pulling off of feathers not only stimulates the teeth, strengthens the tooth to gum and mandible ligaments but also polishes the teeth, tones neck muscles and keeps their brain engaged while eating.
Consuming the feathers and fur of the whole prey will also help their digestive tract be safely brushed clean as well as wrap around any swallowed bone shards and teeth that are indigestible.
Meaty Bones are just that - bones with hunks of meat still attached. No problems there. Except they seem to be rather expensive. At least more expensive than what I can get as people food.
But a grind is a grind - whether the fur and feathers are included or not. A grind is NOT whole prey.
Personally I see that site as people jumping on the raw feeding band wagon and trying to promote an expensive but supposedly convenient supposedly "sanitized" way to plop something in front of your animal to eat.
2 lbs of their chicken gizzards cost 6.45 (plus shipping) - 2lbs of gizzards at the local grocer runs 3.32 (no shipping)! 3 lbs of rabbit chunks for 17.40??! I can get a 5 lb dressed rabbit for 7 bucks! 2 lbs of turkey hearts for 7.45? I get 2 lbs for 2.78 (again, no shipping).
Except for actual REAL whole prey - feeding raw/natural/ meaty bones hadn't ought to have you sourcing your pet's food from any place you don't already get your own meats from!
Feeding ground meats has its place during a transition or illness - but other than that it should NOT make up a large part of a natural fed ferret's diet.
You can, at most grocers, make a meat selection, then ask them to grind it for you. At least that way you know exactly WHEN it was ground and WHAT it was ground from - you still may have to wonder about the grinding machine sanitation - but it SHOULD be o.k. Then again, you could get your own grinder.
My advice is to stay away from grinds, save your money, get out of the mind set that your pets require "pet food" and shop at your own stores for you AND your ferrets! Just avoid the meats with broths and solutions added - which is better for you too.
Cheers, Kim
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