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Post by jensbrood on Oct 4, 2010 23:29:02 GMT -5
I found a sticky with commercial frozen raw. I can buy Primal at my local locally owned pet store. Yay! I also found a sticky for commercial freeze dried. I think I can get Stella & Chewy's locally too. I'm still having trouble finding where on the board it says how much of what my fuzzies need and shouldn't have in their raw diet. Why do some of you add pumpkin?? I've always thought obligated carnivore meant ONLY MEAT. Isn't that the point of raw? I'm so confused!! I know you can't be doing it without reason. I just don't get it. Does this sound ok to start out? I'm thinking of getting a couple of the Primal Raw Frozen Grinds. I'll cut off chunks of each to thaw and mix them together. I'll be feeding 4 fuzzies and 2 cats so it should go fast. If I can get Stella's, I'll get some to break up and offer in loo of a kibble feeding. I figure I wont be able to completely take kibble away till I have an idea of what a balanced ferret (& cat) raw diet should be. But I'll withhold kibble for a few hours so they're hungry when I offer the raw. I think if I let them all get hungry they'll be more likely to try it. I'll start offering it and hope for the best. But should I try to hand feed if they turn away?
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Post by sherrylynne on Oct 5, 2010 11:11:23 GMT -5
That's great that you can find those locally! To start with, pumpkin is added sometimes to replace the indigestibles they'd get from whole prey- like fur. Some ferrets simply do better with that in their diet. As for balancing, and switching, why not apply for a mentor, or start your own thread in the newbie question section? I'd also only give them one protein at a time. That way, if they have any sensitivities, you know what the culprit is.
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Post by jensbrood on Oct 5, 2010 13:24:25 GMT -5
I think I will apply for a mentor!
ah! I didn't think of them having sensitivities! I know my kitties and my human kids do so why not my fuzzies?
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Post by sherrylynne on Oct 5, 2010 18:25:45 GMT -5
It shouldn't be too long a wait, either, now
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Post by spiritualtramp on Oct 6, 2010 20:14:01 GMT -5
The Primal and S&Cs both have indigestibles added (generally trace amounts of fruit and veggies) so the extra addition of pumpkin would only be on a need-be basis, really. But the commercial raw foods can be a great resource and a convenient alternative to frankenprey. I try to keep a few commercial options on hand for mealtimes that I need to be in a hurry, or what have you. As for taking the kibble away, you can take it away overnight so they build up a good appetite, and then give the raw meal in the am. You might want to try rubbing some of the food on their gums to introduce it, though... "Scruff and stuff" can be a very useful method
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