|
Post by bluemoose on Aug 24, 2010 16:04:34 GMT -5
I've read a couple places that ferrets on a whole prey diet don't need hairball remedies like Laxatone because the different textures in whole prey clean them out. My family laughed at me when I told them that but they also don't think whole prey/raw is any healthier than kibble Anyway, how much truth is there to the belief that ferrets who eat whole prey won't get hairballs? Should I still be giving them some kind of hairball remedy?
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Aug 24, 2010 22:45:51 GMT -5
Raw or frankenprey isn't the same as prey. If you're feeding frankenprey and feed some veggie matter you will have less problems with hairballs than if you feed just frankenprey (though you may still occasionally have to use some form of ferretlax during heavy shed) The veggie matter works the same as fur and other undigestibles that are consumed when eating prey. It also slows down the food, to allow better digestion, therefore offering better food and nutritional absorption. Feeding prey, you should be able to get away with not feeding ferretlax nearly at all (supposedly, the fur and other undigestibles actually work to clean out hair balls). I feed commercial ground, my own ground mix, frankenprey and whole prey both live and frozen. I've found that some ferrets still require the occasional dose of ferretlax during heavy shed. This year I've also started brushing as well and this appears to also help by removing a fair amount of hair from their diet . I rarely use any type of ferret lax or laxatone, as it does prevent proper absorption of nutrients. I do keep some on hand at all times as it does work in emergencies. ciao
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Aug 24, 2010 23:55:29 GMT -5
If a ferret were to be on a strict diet of whole prey, I doubt they'd need anything. The "indigestibles" like fur, etc. work, as I've heard it phrased before, sort of like a "roto router" for their insides However, short of a total whole prey diet, they may indeed need some assistance. I feed whole prey weekly, and frankenprey/commercial the rest of the week, and add pumpkin in weekly during the year, twice a week during shed season. So far, it seems to be working. Only time I've used lax with them is when one had a blockage, or when one seems to develop a persistant cough due to fur stuck in her throat.
|
|
|
Post by Polecatty on Aug 27, 2010 23:27:01 GMT -5
I feed mostly whole prey and don't have issues with hair balls. Digestable bone, such as found in mice, chicken necks/wings etc keep their insides in good nick. If they have hair in their gut the bone will bind to it and move it through.
|
|
|
Post by 1 on Aug 28, 2010 19:24:58 GMT -5
All I know to answer is some comen sense and reasonable thinking. Ferrets are carnivores. Some carnivores diets different. For example the lion tiger hyena thing. A hyena is a animal who eats everything organ, hair, hoof, claw, hide, bone, everything. A tiger requires to eat the hair to digest properly. A lion will leave plenty for the vulchers. I think a ferret is like the hyena who eats it all, + 3 hour digestive clock. It may however be possible that to much hair is a clogger. Am I making sense or try again? Ps. Its good to see your posting again Polcatty, I miss you .
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Aug 28, 2010 20:46:54 GMT -5
No, what you are saying is making sense, Aaron. Ferrets need those indigestibles to move the hair through their digestive tracts.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Aug 28, 2010 21:01:22 GMT -5
No, Aaron you aren't too far off. The hair that causes the problem though is the hair from the ferret caused by self-grooming, especially during times of heavy shedding. The hair from the prey, because of how it's ingested (along with meat, blood and bone), is rather like a brush working on the inside. It takes all the non-digestibles out with it. Consider it a type of grooming tool that works from the inside out, taking with it all the things that are caught up in the ferret's digestive system ciao
|
|
|
Post by bluemoose on Aug 29, 2010 0:09:30 GMT -5
Yeah when I told my parents that the fur on prey keeps the ferrets from getting hairballs they were like, "Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense" (heavy sarcasm).
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Aug 29, 2010 1:00:43 GMT -5
Consider the hair on the prey, wrapped up with blood/bone/meat to be a sort of "roto-router" for a ferret's digestive tract The hair they ingest from self grooming is simply hair, all by itself, which is what causes the problems. If they were to groom WHILE they were eating meat, it might be different, but not by itself.
|
|
|
Post by bluemoose on Aug 29, 2010 3:02:49 GMT -5
I can see how that would be feasible but family would not be so easily convinced Fortunately, they leave ferret care up to me so what they think is irrelevant
|
|