Post by pleasureis1 on Jun 19, 2009 9:18:21 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I've been lurking around this forum for MONTHS and have decided to take the plunge. I currently have 7 ferrets, and will be getting #8 in just a couple weeks. Sorry about the lack of pictures I will get some good ones and get them uploaded this weekend.
1.How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names, ages, genders, and do they have any health problems (this is VERY important)?
Amber – She is about 3 ½ years old. No known health problems. I got her from the local MSPCA after she had been there for a few months. Her previous owner was military and had to leave her when he left for Iraq.
Princess Penelope – 10 Month old Female. I got her as a 9 week old kits from Petco. No known health problems.
Trinity – 8 Month old female with no known health problems. I got her as an 8 week old kit from Petco.
Celeste - 8 Month old female with no known health problems. I got her as an 8 week old kit from Petco. She and Trinity were n the same shipment.
Tank – About 1 ½ years old male. He was a rescue from FACT ferret shelter. He does not have any known health issues. Was being fed a law quality kibble at his previous home, but, quickly adapted to the kibble in my house.
Rico Suave – about 1 ½ year old male. He was a craigslist rescue and does not have any known health issues. For the first year of his life though, he was being fed cheep ferret food, yogurt, etc…
Atraeu - About 1 ½ years old male. Came from the same home at Tank.
Kit (yet to be named) – He was born on 4/14/09 from GFX ferrets and I pick him up in a couple weeks.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
Kibble mix of EVO ferret, 8 in 1 Ultimate Crunchy, and Totally ferret active. For treats ferretone, N-bones, the occasionally Bandits treat (once every 2 weeks, IF that). For soup, I grind up their kibble, mix in some stage 2 meet only baby food. I will occasionally add heavy whipping cream. I also occasionally add in very small diced raw chicken breasts. These only really get licked at though and left in the bowl. I’ll occasionally scramble a raw egg and put some over their soup. A few of them REALLY LOVE this.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I would love to switch them to a full raw / whole prey diet, but, unfortunately, can’t do that because while I’m ok with it, my fiancé refuses to feed it (says he doesn’t want to clean up dead mouse, or have to look at it for that matter). This wouldn’t be a problem except for that I have to travel for work every now and then and he will be responsible for their care while I’m gone. I want to include whole prey as a part of their diet, but, also have them still on some kibble and commercial raw for times when I will be gone for a few days for work. I am open to suggestions on this!!!
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
Health benefits, energy level, I would love to see them excited at meal time.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
I’ve been researching it for a while and read about it on the ferret.com forum. The tipping point was when Julie called and said I’m getting my new kit!!! He already eats some raw and kibble and will be here in a couple weeks. Seems like the perfect time to get the rest of the crew switched over.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
Amber – Very petite but, very tone. Just over 1 lb
Princess Penelope – Petite, could use some more muscle mass, but she is very tone and healthy. About 1.5 lbs (was just over 2 lbs with her winter weight)
Trinity – Muscular and a good healthy weight of 1 ¾ lb
Celeste – When I first got her she was skin and bones. Now, she’s the most “solid” out of all my females. Very tone, good muscle mass. About 1 ¾ lb.
Tank – Tank is a little chubster who has good muscle tone under all he flub. He’s lucky enough where he seems to maintain most of his winter weight into the summer months. He’s about 2 1/3 lbs.
Rico Suave – He’s starting to get some muscle tone to him. When he first came to me, he had NO tone, could even really hold up his belly when he walked, not so much because of the size, but, because he just didn’t have the muscle mass to hold it up. He’s definitely getting better, but, still does not have nearly enough muscle mass. He’s right about 2 lbs.
Atraeu – SOLID PURE MUSCLE! Very little chubbiness, but solid and strong as a rock. He’s also about 2 1/3 lbs
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
All have healthy teeth and gums. I’ll try to get some pictures this weekend.
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
Amber – Not fluffy at all, but, sleek and soft.
Princess Penelope – Soft fluffy fur like a kitten. Not really shiny though.
Trinity – Soft long fluffy fur.
Celeste – Soft long shiny and fluffy. I think she may have the best coat of all my ferrets.
Tank – Thick and soft. His winter coat was long and luxurious; his summer coat reminds me of a kitten with a buzz cut…
Rico Suave – Very sleek and shiny, but now soft of fluffy.
Atraeu – Very sleek, soft for what it is, but, not the soft an fluffy coat.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
When ever they wake up of course, then I would say maybe every 30-45 minutes when they’re active.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
More than I would like, but, it’s not horribly offensive.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
They all have a nice light musky scent.
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Amber – She has a 30 minute bust of energy when let out of the cage, but, then se levels off to a 5 on the energy level.
Princess Penelope –Really even keeled at about a 7
Trinity – 8
Celeste – 9! (Celeste is my stubborn, crazy little ADHD Ferret)
Tank – Really even keeled at about a 6 or 7
Rico Suave – 5-6
Atraeu – 7
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Not at all, they’re free fed and the most exciting thing I see is them grabbing kibble, running under my desk, eating it, then running back for the next piece.
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
Not really, I’ve tried unsuccessfully to introduce raw chicken into their soup, but, it just gets licked and left in the bowl.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
17.
a.) Do you understand that by starting this thread you commit to posting updates on the progress of your ferret(s) diet switch at least every other day?**
Yes
b.) Do you understand that if you will be away from your computer for an extended period of time you will need to exchange phone numbers (or email addresses if you don't feel comfortable exchanging numbers)via private message with your assigned mentor, so that we can monitor your progress and ensure your ferret's safety during the switch?
Yes
c.) Do you understand that any threads that have not been updated in for more then a week (with no explanation as to why you are absent) will result in the deletion of the thread?***
Yes
1.How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names, ages, genders, and do they have any health problems (this is VERY important)?
Amber – She is about 3 ½ years old. No known health problems. I got her from the local MSPCA after she had been there for a few months. Her previous owner was military and had to leave her when he left for Iraq.
Princess Penelope – 10 Month old Female. I got her as a 9 week old kits from Petco. No known health problems.
Trinity – 8 Month old female with no known health problems. I got her as an 8 week old kit from Petco.
Celeste - 8 Month old female with no known health problems. I got her as an 8 week old kit from Petco. She and Trinity were n the same shipment.
Tank – About 1 ½ years old male. He was a rescue from FACT ferret shelter. He does not have any known health issues. Was being fed a law quality kibble at his previous home, but, quickly adapted to the kibble in my house.
Rico Suave – about 1 ½ year old male. He was a craigslist rescue and does not have any known health issues. For the first year of his life though, he was being fed cheep ferret food, yogurt, etc…
Atraeu - About 1 ½ years old male. Came from the same home at Tank.
Kit (yet to be named) – He was born on 4/14/09 from GFX ferrets and I pick him up in a couple weeks.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
Kibble mix of EVO ferret, 8 in 1 Ultimate Crunchy, and Totally ferret active. For treats ferretone, N-bones, the occasionally Bandits treat (once every 2 weeks, IF that). For soup, I grind up their kibble, mix in some stage 2 meet only baby food. I will occasionally add heavy whipping cream. I also occasionally add in very small diced raw chicken breasts. These only really get licked at though and left in the bowl. I’ll occasionally scramble a raw egg and put some over their soup. A few of them REALLY LOVE this.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I would love to switch them to a full raw / whole prey diet, but, unfortunately, can’t do that because while I’m ok with it, my fiancé refuses to feed it (says he doesn’t want to clean up dead mouse, or have to look at it for that matter). This wouldn’t be a problem except for that I have to travel for work every now and then and he will be responsible for their care while I’m gone. I want to include whole prey as a part of their diet, but, also have them still on some kibble and commercial raw for times when I will be gone for a few days for work. I am open to suggestions on this!!!
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
Health benefits, energy level, I would love to see them excited at meal time.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
I’ve been researching it for a while and read about it on the ferret.com forum. The tipping point was when Julie called and said I’m getting my new kit!!! He already eats some raw and kibble and will be here in a couple weeks. Seems like the perfect time to get the rest of the crew switched over.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
Amber – Very petite but, very tone. Just over 1 lb
Princess Penelope – Petite, could use some more muscle mass, but she is very tone and healthy. About 1.5 lbs (was just over 2 lbs with her winter weight)
Trinity – Muscular and a good healthy weight of 1 ¾ lb
Celeste – When I first got her she was skin and bones. Now, she’s the most “solid” out of all my females. Very tone, good muscle mass. About 1 ¾ lb.
Tank – Tank is a little chubster who has good muscle tone under all he flub. He’s lucky enough where he seems to maintain most of his winter weight into the summer months. He’s about 2 1/3 lbs.
Rico Suave – He’s starting to get some muscle tone to him. When he first came to me, he had NO tone, could even really hold up his belly when he walked, not so much because of the size, but, because he just didn’t have the muscle mass to hold it up. He’s definitely getting better, but, still does not have nearly enough muscle mass. He’s right about 2 lbs.
Atraeu – SOLID PURE MUSCLE! Very little chubbiness, but solid and strong as a rock. He’s also about 2 1/3 lbs
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
All have healthy teeth and gums. I’ll try to get some pictures this weekend.
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
Amber – Not fluffy at all, but, sleek and soft.
Princess Penelope – Soft fluffy fur like a kitten. Not really shiny though.
Trinity – Soft long fluffy fur.
Celeste – Soft long shiny and fluffy. I think she may have the best coat of all my ferrets.
Tank – Thick and soft. His winter coat was long and luxurious; his summer coat reminds me of a kitten with a buzz cut…
Rico Suave – Very sleek and shiny, but now soft of fluffy.
Atraeu – Very sleek, soft for what it is, but, not the soft an fluffy coat.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
When ever they wake up of course, then I would say maybe every 30-45 minutes when they’re active.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
More than I would like, but, it’s not horribly offensive.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
They all have a nice light musky scent.
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Amber – She has a 30 minute bust of energy when let out of the cage, but, then se levels off to a 5 on the energy level.
Princess Penelope –Really even keeled at about a 7
Trinity – 8
Celeste – 9! (Celeste is my stubborn, crazy little ADHD Ferret)
Tank – Really even keeled at about a 6 or 7
Rico Suave – 5-6
Atraeu – 7
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Not at all, they’re free fed and the most exciting thing I see is them grabbing kibble, running under my desk, eating it, then running back for the next piece.
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
Not really, I’ve tried unsuccessfully to introduce raw chicken into their soup, but, it just gets licked and left in the bowl.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
17.
a.) Do you understand that by starting this thread you commit to posting updates on the progress of your ferret(s) diet switch at least every other day?**
Yes
b.) Do you understand that if you will be away from your computer for an extended period of time you will need to exchange phone numbers (or email addresses if you don't feel comfortable exchanging numbers)via private message with your assigned mentor, so that we can monitor your progress and ensure your ferret's safety during the switch?
Yes
c.) Do you understand that any threads that have not been updated in for more then a week (with no explanation as to why you are absent) will result in the deletion of the thread?***
Yes