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Post by ferretdroogies on Jan 26, 2011 18:24:42 GMT -5
My biggest, fattest, and youngest ferret is also the pickiest When we first got him Sunday, I thought he was going to be an easy switch (at LEAST to freeze-dried and dehydrated raw which was an easy switch for the other three), but of course I was wrong I want to switch him to ground raw first (because that's what I have right now in bulk, since the others didn't want it : , then progress to whole raw/frankenprey with a little whole prey thrown in eventually. I wasn't sure what method to use since he doesn't even notice food right in front of his face, unless it's marshall's kibble. He doesn't want treats (even things like foamy fries) or even ferretone , so I have no idea how I'm going to convince him to even TRY it. I have tried adding a little bit of ziwipeak, S&C, and wysong A-1 to his kibble, feeding it by hand, and spoon feeding some raw chicken soupie which even Reks ate some of (he's SUPER picky about frozen raw : . I was going to start with Heather's method, which is picking him up throughout his playtime, get him to try a few licks of raw soupie from a spoon, then let him go run off and play again... rinse and repeat. I will post later tonight if it's successful or not. If that doesn't work, I'm going to try making kibble mush with a little raw soupie added in. Tips are appreciated, when anyone has time (since this isn't an official switch thread with a mentor). I will probably update it regularly for sake of documenting the switch and seeing the progress. :3
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 26, 2011 18:42:04 GMT -5
Just to let you know, using the soup is NOT usually an over night success story It took me 6 weeks of daily scruffing and stuffing, finger feeding, and spoon feeding before Boris finally decided this was good stuff Whichever method you pick, stick with that method. Switching back and forth can be confusing for them. Don't get me wrong- you CAN use more than one method. And since you have freeze dried already, that's another approach you can use, as well as the soupies. Sprinkle a bit of the freeze dried in with the kibble for him. He'll likely just eat around it, but at the same time, put some freeze dried and some of his kibble in a baggie, and let it sit for a week or so, then give it to him. That way, they both take on each others flavours.
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Post by ferretdroogies on Jan 26, 2011 18:55:10 GMT -5
Ahhh...that's a good idea! I wish I thought of that
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 27, 2011 1:51:30 GMT -5
Which one? Scruffing/stuffing, freeze dried in the kibble, or mixing the two for a couple weeks?
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Post by ferretdroogies on Jan 27, 2011 14:33:17 GMT -5
Putting the ziwipeak and kibble in a ziplock bag for a week :3
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Post by ferretdroogies on Jan 27, 2011 17:26:28 GMT -5
SUCCESS Had some luck today with Bantha! I made up some raw turkey soup, but Bantha (even with coaxing) wouldn't eat it :3 Then, I got the idea to add in a few pieces of kibble, and let them soak in it for a few minutes. I offered a soaked piece to him, and he ate it! He seems to prefer crunchy stuff (which will be great once he's eating whole stuff). So while Jeff (my bf) held him, I would hand him a piece of raw soupie soaked kibble, and he was loving it! He wouldn't ever eat out of the bowl or even by spoon, but he sure loved getting one piece at a time by hand! When he seemed like he was done eating for a while, I set the bowl down with water next to it (like I usually do for him when he's outside of his cage). He would go over and sniff it, drink some water, sniff it again, then run off. I will keep it out for a max of 6 hours, and every hour that he hasn't eaten it on his own, hand feed it again. Then before bed, I will make some fresher stuff (in the same fashion), and leave it in his cage for the night. Hopefully, he starts taking to it on his own soon!
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 27, 2011 23:04:37 GMT -5
You know- you can always soak some kibbles, mash them, and mix some soup in with the mash. Over time, decrease the kibble mush, and increase the raw soup. Might get him over the hand feeding single pieces
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Post by ferretdroogies on Jan 27, 2011 23:41:20 GMT -5
I tried that yesterday, which is why I tried whole kibble pieces soaked in raw soupie today. He is REALLY picky about texture. Although, he did finally try something else today! He actually took to olive oil and the ferretone as well, which before, he didn't even realize was edible I might try it like you said for his meal that I leave him tonight in his cage. Unless, feeding whole kibble soaked in raw soupie might get him eating whole stuff faster maybe? What do you think?
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 28, 2011 0:07:20 GMT -5
It's 6 of one, half a dozen of the other as to what will work best for him. Maybe try some kibble in the dish, with a bit of soupie mixed with it. Not a lot, just a tsp or so. Out of curiosity- have you tried removing the kibble overnight so he has an appetite in the morning?
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Post by ferretdroogies on Jan 28, 2011 0:31:58 GMT -5
Nope, I haven't. The problem is, I sleep a pretty long time I have taken food away, but for only 6 hours, and it was during the afternoon. I did that before giving him the kibble in raw soupie, and he definitely had an appetite.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 28, 2011 0:45:08 GMT -5
Okay, then. 6 hours it is I have to get up to an alarm every morning, so it was never an issue for me You know- you could simply take it out for the day instead of the night. Up to 12 hours is fine for a healthy ferret. And he's not so young that it will harm him.
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Post by ferretdroogies on Jan 28, 2011 1:08:34 GMT -5
Ok...I will do that! It seemed to help, even just for 6 hours. Also, he's not as distracted by new things as much, so he's starting to try things that he didn't try before.
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