Rascal, Lars, Dax, Teddy, and Fang go raw

[whipple]

1. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names, ages, genders, and do they have any health problems?

I have 2 ferrets. Rascal (Female) and Lars (male). Rascal is just around 1 yr, if not under a bit. Lars is young. But I have not had the chance to check him yet.

2. What are your ferrets currently eating? What Kind of diet do you want to switch to?

I waited to post until I got Lars, Rascal is already switching/switched. Lars is eating Marshalls ferret food. Rascal is on a raw diet. I want to eventually get them both on a mostly whole prey with a bit of raw diet.

3. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?

Lars seems great, he's around 3 lbs, again have not had the chance to weigh him. Rascal is 1 lb. She has gained weight since I got her. They both seem in good shape, but Rascal still has a bit to go before she's prime.

4. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)

Rascal has nice white teeth. Even the back molars are still white. Lars has some plaque on his back molars, but his canines are shiny.

5. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.

Rascal has a rough feeling, but smooth looking coat. Althoug again not prime. She has finally stopped shedding constantly, but her coat is still not thick. Lars has a smooth coat all around, not soft, but smooth. He sheds easily but his coat is thick.

6. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?

Rascal goes poop about three times a day. I have no idea yet about Lars.

7. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?

Rascal's does not reak, but I haven't got my nose that close yet. It isn't hard to do litter changes, easier than with cats. As for Lars, same thing. But I haven't had him long enough to really tell.

8. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being no smell, and 10 being a mad scunk, Lars is about a 5, Rascal is about a 3-4

9. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?

Rascal - 6 Lars - 8

10. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?

Rascal - Not at all, she would leave it until she was hungry and pick throughout the day. Lars - he's more excited about exploering his new home, I will see tomorrow.

11. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share? Rascal has already started, almost completed thee switch to raw, Lars is too new (Got him tonight, July 25) for me to really tell much.

[whipple]

Ok, so Lars has not touched the chicken leg I gave him, and I don't think he has even looked at the duck soup. So tonight of he has not had anything I will give in and give him some kibble and try again in the morning.
He poops a lot! At least 4 or 5X more than Rascal.
So last night Rascal got chicken hearts and gizzards, she gobbled them up like the good girl she is. This morning she ate her duck soup so quickly you would've thought I starved her first. I'm so proud. She gets her first taste of pork tonight. See how that goes. I'm gonna chop part into chunks of varying sizes but give her one big piece to rip apart.

[Forum Administrator]

For Lars why not start simple and offer small chunks of chicken (cut into "kibble sized" pieces or smaller) coat them in ferretone and some crushed kibble. Handing a chicken leg to a ferret that has never eaten raw before can be a bit intimidating

Im happy to heart how Rascal is taking to the raw Good luck with the pork!

[whipple]

Hey good idea! It seems like common sense now. I guess since it was available and I was in a rush, well you get the point.
So I did try the pork. I chopped it up and doused it in kibble crumbs and a glob of ferretvite for Lars. He tried it and ate a couple good chunks, then decided it would be a better use of his time to try to escape. Rascal ate a good portion of her dinner no prob before heading to her tunnel to sleep. I figure it will be long gone by morning.

[Forum Administrator]

Sometimes if you start small and work your way up to bigger food you make it less intimidating Im happy to hear you got some good results from small, kibble coated chunks. That has always worked for me with younger ferrets. They usually just need a jump start (why you use the crushed kibble) to get them interested, and then the small chunks are kind of easy to eat. They have to practice chewing on meat (it is different then chewing on kibble) and the small chunks are a good way to get started. He'll be eating legs and wings eventually, no worries, but for now slowly work to increase the size of the chunks

[josiesmom]

Hi Whipple!

Welcome to the natural world! Giuli has paired me with you for your venture into whole prey and natural feeding. Sounds like you are already off to a good start!

How long has Rascal been eating raw? Is Lars a new addition to your family? We can post the switching process here, or in PM or email- whichever is your choice. I'll send my private info via PM for you.

Cheers,
Kim

[whipple]

I have no problem posting here. I like the idea of people being able to learn from my experience with switching these two.
So Rascal did finish the majority of her pile of meat by morning. She's not hugely interested in eating. Never really has been as far as I know. She prefers to sleep.
Lars ate a tiny bit more after I left the food with him last night. I also gave him a bit of chicken I chopped up good. I'm sure thats what he left behind for me to clean up.

Rascal has been eating raw very nearly from day one. At her last home she was getting meals of cooked meat mixed with rice and veggies, oh and ketchup thrown in. So I think she'll eat almost anything. The woman I got her from thought she was spoiling her. Oh, plus she never got out of the cage except when on leash. She was such a happy ferret when I let her run around the living room the first time.

[whipple]

Oh, and yes, Lars is new, I've only had him a couple of days now. He was eating Marshalls, but other than that I don't know much of his history/background.

[josiesmom]

Oh dear! Rascal sure had quite the culinary repaste going! Yuck Ketchup! So glad he won't be getting anymore of THAT!

Sounds like you are well on the way! Their first few tastes and bites are usually the hardest. But they'll typically start out small, think about it for a bit, then try again, then think, then eat some more just to be sure they are thinking the same way....

Then pretty soon the light bulb comes on and they go "Oh YEAH! This is the RIGHT stuff!"

Marshall's food--- don't get me started. Yes, I know practically every ferret sold is sold with this stuff , and it IS labeled "Premium", but then again Marshall's makes money by selling ferrets, LOTS of ferrets....

Anyway since Lars is already showing interest in the meaty offerings, it isn't worth your time or money to switch him to a better kibble then switch him to natural foods. Just keep offering him the meaty items and it won't be long before that's all he is eating and the kibble remains untouched!

Because marshall's food uses a lot of fish ingredients, try offering Lars( and Rascal) fish like Salmon, or Sardines( in oil or water), or any sushi grade fish ( I snag some to take home from the sushi restaurant).

Cheers,
Kim

[whipple]

So I've been giving Lars duck soup in the morning, which he ignores, then meat chunks at night, which he at least has interest in. He is still energetic, so I have not felt the need to give him a meal of kibble. I do use it to dust his meat and as training treats though.
Rascal (female btw) adores her duck soup and ate all of Lars dishfull the first time. Now I know better to keep her away from it. So I decided to give her a frozen mouse to see if she has any interest. Nope, not even to lick the open belly. Ok, thats fine. She does like her meat chunks, but she takes her time eating them. She eats chicken, pork, and duck soup so far. The duck soup has chicken (with bone), ground beef, 1 whole egg and water. Its simple, but she adores it.
I will try the fish. Not too sure as to where I could get some good stuff. Not many sushi places around me. Could I just use salmon from a grocery store? I think I'll just try the sardines. He does eat cat treats, and I'm sure they're "seafood" flavored.

[josiesmom]

Yes, Salmon from the grocery store is fine, mostly it is "farm raised" and the feed they used is enhanced with color additives. I use it for mine unless,as I mentioned< I visit a sushi restaurant. AS much as possible I try to stay away from any "enhanced" meats, but since Salmon is not their staple, just a "variety meat" I'll use the farm raised stuff. The salmon also freeze dries very nicely.

Cheers,
Kim

[whipple]

Ok, so since I had to go to wal mart I picked up some sardines in spring water. We'll see how that goes over as breakfast.
So Lars is not as stubborn as I thought he was. He ate all his duck soup from this morning for breakfast. Yay! So tonight I'm giving him hunks of chicken dusted in kibble. He's eating it as we speak.
So I am trying the mouse again tonight. This time putiing some soup coating on it. ..... Ok, so she licked off all the soup, but did pick the mouse up. I call that a near victory for me!

[Forum Administrator]

Excellent! Sounds like you guys are making progress! Im really proud of how far you've come. Keep with it and keep us posted. Is Rascal eating bone yet?

[whipple]

Last time I gave her bones she ate most of them, but not all. Lars ate most of the bones on his chicken last night!!! And to top off the sucsess, she ate most of her mouse last night. She left a bit of skin behind, but thats it. Rascal is moving along quite quickly now.
This morning for breakfast they get sardines. Rascal started eating them right away. The last time I seen her so excited over a meal was ages ago when she got her last bowl of kibble. But she was probably hungry after just one mouse yesterday. So since she was such a goo girl and finally ate the mouse she can have some pork for dinner. Lars seemed to like the pork last time so I'm sure he'll do good with that.
I will update the sardine breakfast tonight.

Rascal seems almost like a different ferret lately. She's more....alive. Although she still sleeps tons, she doesn't need to sleep the entire day to get back energy from running around for a few hrs (she was like this the first time she was out and about). Also, her coat is getting shiny. And she seems to be gaining weight. I will weigh her after breakfast though.

[wmella85]

I just wanted to stop by and say hi! Guili paired us up with the same mentor. so i thought that i would see how your kids are doing! so far they seem to be doing really well! i had a really hard time switching my four at first. it took awhile for us to get off the soupie stage.

just one word of caution though, you should only feed one egg per ferret per week. in small doses egg is a good thing, but too much too much egg can lead to a biotin deficiancy. and that wouldnt be good!

Biotin is a B vitamin that's needed for the formation of fatty acids and glucose, which are essential for the production of energy. It also helps with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Biotin deficiency isn't common, unless you frequently eat a lot of raw egg white, which contains a protein that blocks the absorption of biotin. Biotin deficiency may lead to skin rash, hair loss, high cholesterol and heart problems.
(source: altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsa1/a/Biotin.htm)


other than that you seem to be doing a really good job! our babies will get the ideas someday!!

Good luck,

Lauren and the fuzzies