Pilot, Ranger, and Tank's Switch

[tss]

I understand some people just prefer to food ground too, since you were also feeding RMBS I didn't want to say anything but if your able to feed more RMBs if the future then thats even better

[spiritualtramp]

Thanks Guili! Yep, they will all eat rmbs now, I was just trying to clear some room for some new selections hahaha. Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow - is there somewhere online to buy that? Where do you find it? I'll look into that for keeping around just in case.

And thank you Maria for all your help!!!

Just finally found somewhere to buy buffalo so I will be buying some soon

[Forum Administrator]

Here ya go Erinn:

www.hare-today.com/

Now I'd say you are all ready to graduate! Congrats!

Now there is one last thing I want you to do (and then I am moving this thread to the "newbie switch archive":

If you havent already, it might be a good idea to start popping in toNaturalFerrets. I know forum is small right now, but that is because they are switching to the new forum from a yahoo! group. There are many many senior raw feeders on there and it would be wise to make use of their knowledge. I try and advise all my "completed switchers" to get on there and post a bit. I still want you to say on HF, but I want you to "broaden your horizons" by getting a bit of NaturalFerret's info as well. Sound good?

www.NaturalFerrets.com

You'll probably run in to the Holistic Ferret Mentors on there. This is where THEY go to ask THEIR questions on natural diet (I do too).

Let me know if you get any good info out of here.

and.......

Now that you've completed the switch, have had your feeding schedule reviewd, and been advised to check out NaturalFerrets, its time to retire this thread to the "newbie switch archive"!



No one (yourself included) will be able to post in this thread anymore once its been moved to the archive. Please begin posting your diet-related questions in the "whole prey" "raw" or "general feeding questions and discussion" area. We encourage EVERYONE that is archived to continue posting. Feeding a natural diet is a learning PROCESS, there is much to learn after making the switch. There is always lots to learn, and lots to share with the newbies on the site. If you feel comfortable offering the newbies advice, then by all means go ahead. The more help we can get, the better. If you'd rather lurk and not post, thats cool too, its just always nice to have our graduates stick around.

We (your mentor and I) will run a detailed "check up" with you (via PM or email) at the 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and 1 year anniversary since "going natural" just to make sure all is going well and that you arent having any issues.

If you have any interest in becoming a Holistic Ferret Mentor (there is no obligation). Just PM me and we'll discuss details.

[tss]

Congrats!! Your fuzzies will be sooo much happier now! And you will be too, no more big stinky kibble poops or musky ferrets. Only sleek fresh smelling ferrets!

[spiritualtramp]

Giuli, I'm already a member of on NF so I'm a step ahead of you Thanks for the Hare Today link, I'll be putting in an order soon. I'll be sticking around, again, who knows how often I'll be popping in but I will try to as much as possible. I do need a break from FV life sometimes (and oh man today is one of those days!) I'd love to mentor but I don't know how realistic that is. I'll PM you about it though.

Thanks to you both and the fuzzies say thanks too!

[spiritualtramp]

6 Months Since the Switch- EVALUATION #2:

1. Its been six months since you and your ferrets graduated from the Holistic Ferret Mentor Program. Are you still feeding a kibble-free, natural diet? If yes, why? If no, why?

Yes, of course! My kids are doing marvelously on the natural diet, and I couldn't be happier.

2. Have you filled out the "Natural Diet Survey"? (If not, please do by going to the following link: holisticferret.proboards80.com/in....play&thread=241)

3. Please post a "sample weekly feeding schedule". Basically, give us an idea of what you feed your ferret(s) each week. This way we can review it (again) and let you know if you need to make any changes to ensure proper nutrition. Post your schedule in the following format:

MONDAY: am: white muscle meat (chicken, pork or turkey.) pm: red muscle meat (generally lamb.)
TUESDAY: am: liver pm: rmb (usually chicken wings.)
WEDNESDAY: am: rabbit (generally NV frozen raw medallions) pm: beef
THURSDAY: am: pureed heart pm: rmb such as cornish game hen
FRIDAY: am: lamb or duck pm: chicken backs, ribs, or necks
SATURDAY: am: wild card day! I try to get them interesting things for the weekends. Lately venison and buffalo, sometimes quail. Same for pm.
SUNDAY: am: leftover Saturday foods pm: pork

4. Do you have any questions or concearns regarding your ferret(s) diet?

At this time, we're all happy and healthy!

5. Do you have any new "diet goals" for your ferrets that you would like us to help you with, such as: adding whole prey to the diet, diversifying the types of meat fed, or incorporating freeze-dried or commercial raw foods? If so, please specify.

I've been considering adding some whole prey treats, mice and chicks, but haven't taken the plunge just yet. I won't do live, but frozen is definitely a possibility.

6. How was your experience with the Holistic Ferret Mentor Program? What did you like about the program? What didn't you like? What can we do to make our program better?

I love it so much that I'm a part of it!

7. After switching to a natural diet I'm sure you noticed numerable changes immediately. After six months of feeding naturally, what would you say is the most notable improvement in your ferret's health?

The most noticeable is definitely in their energy levels. They are awake and active for MUCH longer stretches, more often. They are happy, alert, and playful. And it isn't so bad hearing how beautiful and soft and muscular they all are from visitors.

8. Since its been six months since you graduated from the HF Mentor Program, you are now eligable to become a Holistic Ferret Mentor. Do you have any interest in becoming a mentor? There is NO obligation. If interested, please read the following info to see if you are capable of making such a commitment to being a mentor:

Done and done...

[Forum Administrator]

Can you believe its been 6 months post switch? I'm so thrilled! Its great to have you on the mentoring team, I always love it when I see people I've helped to switch, helping others. You make me so proud.

I hope you get a chance to incorporate whole prey into their diet. Once you muster up the gumption to give it a shot I am sure you'll be very pleased. The most beautiful poop in the world is whole prey poop lol. The fur does wonders to make it firm and pretty (lol only ferret people are poop consieurs).

[spiritualtramp]

1 Year Since the Switch- EVALUATION #2:


1. Its been 12 months since you and your ferrets graduated from the Holistic Ferret Mentor Program. Are you still feeding a kibble-free, natural diet? If yes, why? If no, why? If yes, overall, how happy would you say you are with your ferret's natural diet. Are you more satisfied then when your ferret(s) were on a kibble diet? If yes, please specify why.

Yes, we're still on a natural diet and since graduating I've added a fifth ferret to the business, Captain Morgan. Everyone loves a wide array of meats, and a few mice per week as treats. I can't imagine ever feeding anything different than this, because the kids are all healthy, happy, energetic, well-behaved, and gorgeous. I constantly get compliments on their fur, looks, energy, and scent. They're ferrets the way ferrets should be



2. Please post a "sample weekly feeding schedule". Basically, give us an idea of what you feed your ferret(s) each week. This way we can review it (again) and let you know if you need to make any changes to ensure proper nutrition. Post your schedule in the following format:

MONDAY: am: bone-in rabbit pm: bone-in fowl
TUESDAY: am: pork pm: bone-in fowl
WEDNESDAY: am: liver/organs pm: bone-in fowl
THURSDAY: am: lamb pm: bone-in fowl
FRIDAY: am: bone-in fowl or rabbit pm: soups (different recipe every so often, with additions like pumpkin or nanogreens as needed.)
SATURDAY: boneless rabbit/bison/fowl pm: bone-in fowl
SUNDAY: am: hearts/gizzards pm: bone-in fowl

Pilot gets soups three to four times a week, around midday, and everyone gets mice treats a few times a week, too.


3.In the past year of feeding a natural diet, what things have you learned that you think would be useful to pass on to those new to feeding a natural diet, or those contemplating switching their ferrets to a natural diet?

Patience is the biggest virtue a ferrent can have. It's pretty much as simple as that. As far as nutritional requirements go, being observant and attentive to any behavioral or physical changes can alert you to differing needs in diet. Such as because I know Pilot is going through stress with her adrenal, I add in more soups and fats to her meals, to keep her weight up. With Morgan, who is the size of a small house, I try to trim away some fat so that he's not packing on more than he already has. It takes time, patience, and perseverance for sure, and those three things are the biggest setbacks for many people I think.

4. Do you have any questions or concerns regarding your ferret(s) diet?

Not at this time!

5. Have you implemented any of the "new diet goals" you mentioned in your last evaluation? If yes, how are you liking those changes. If no, why did you decide to not implement those changes?

Bringing home Morgan did get me to keep mice on hand, he was raised with whole prey in his diet and so that gave me the push to include them in everyone's diet, as treats. Mostly everyone will eat bits of the mice, though Diesel and Morgan are the nuts for them - and the perfect poops that result from those snacks sure makes me happy.


6. After switching to a natural diet I'm sure you noticed numerable changes immediately. After 12 months of feeding naturally, what would you say is the most notable improvement in your ferret's health?

Emotional happiness. They seem less stressed, more apt to handle outside things better, and more easy-going. I suppose if your body isn't constantly under stress from the lack of proper nutrition, you're more able to cope with stressful things. My kids will go on walks, meet new people or animals, and go on long trips to shows with me, without getting upset. It's amazing!