|
|
Post by cristina on Jul 12, 2008 18:11:37 GMT -5
Ok today Im going to start the switch to raw "journey", and I say this because it will be a long road for these kibble fanatics  ! I liked the post (I forget from who) but it said to basically slowly add moisture (water) to kibble then gradually add in ground meat. This seems like a tactful possibility for my 2 babies, they are smart but hopefully I can pull the wool over their eyes with this one  ! They will need lots of time and very slow change, but Im up for the challenge! I like how everyone cares so much about helping and monitoring with people (and their ferrets) switch to raw! Coming upon this site was a blessing, or else mine would probably be eating kibble for the rest of their lives! With everyones help I know I can do this and Im not "afraid" to anymore since I have experienced and dedicated people such as yourselves to help guide me!!! If anyone has any suggestions for me please do share, I need all the input I can get! ;D  |
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 12, 2008 20:12:47 GMT -5
 Christina! I am excited for you. The switching method you speak of was created by one of our Holistic Ferret mentors, aleronferrest (aka Nikki) it has helped many a stubborn switcher get onto a raw diet. I would suggest finding that method somewhere on the site and printing it out as a guide. As a mentor, Nikki is even available to personally assist you switch your babies! If you hit a snag with the transition I can call her in to assist you in switching your babies (its nice to have someone personally guide you through the transition  ) I applaud you for taking a pro-active step towards bettering the health of your little ones. As I said earlier to another memember, no matter how much we TELL you the amazing benefits of a natural diet, you cant really understand what we mean till you see it for yourself! I can wait for you to see the awesome changes. My favorite thing is to hear people say "Oh my god they really DONT stink anymore!" or "Wow they are getting so muscular!" or "Holy crap their fur is SO soft and their energy is through the roof!". Be sure to keep us posted on your babies progress so that we can moniter you and jump in to assist right away if you encounter any issues during the switch  Welcome to the world of natrual feeding! 
|
|
|
|
Post by cristina on Jul 14, 2008 20:15:10 GMT -5
So even though it wasn't that long ago they were eating mush as babies (they are only a year old this month), they refuse to go near the moistened kibble! I have tried chicken broth and water, even water with uncle jims duk soup mixed in! The duk soup mixture they will eat before the juice soaks into the kibble.
I knew this would be hard, but I almost feel like Im starving them. Im at work from 8am-6 or 6:30pm, I make them fresh moist kibble in the morning and at lunch I come to check on them for 10 min and theres not really any dent to the food dish, which kind of worries me.
Im going very slow and just moistening the kibble (not drenching it), and they arent catching on...they are kind of spoiled & high maintenance ferrets, they pretty much own me so naturally I feel horrible during this switch.
Am I doing anything wrong, or is there anything else I can do? I tried the soupe, that was a definite no go (Ive tried this in the past as well, they turn up their noses).
Any suggestions??
|
|
|
|
Post by wmella85 on Jul 14, 2008 21:38:02 GMT -5
Your doing great!!! Don't worry, i got the dirty looks from my kids also. if you read my blog, you will see that there were days where i wanted to cry. DON'T GIVE UP!!!! We are all here for you! Penny and Boomer will be all the better for it!! keep up the good work!!
now, i didnt go the slow route. my kids are movers and shakers and i knew that they would be okay with the fast. and they are. just sticks to the route that works for you and your duo!
GOOD LUCK!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 14, 2008 23:21:12 GMT -5
Am I doing anything wrong, or is there anything else I can do? I tried the soupe, that was a definite no go (Ive tried this in the past as well, they turn up their noses).
Any suggestions??Reduce the amount of moisture you are adding to the kibble Just add a few drops (not enough to actually make it mushy, just *slightly* soggy) Make the change slooowwww so that they dont notice See how much water/broth you can get away with adding. If they still wont eat it, keep cutting back on the amount of water/broth you add until you find what they WILL eat. Then from there gradually work up to adding more and more water until it turns to mush. This SHOULD work. Keep us posted and don't get discouraged. Like wmella85 said others have been where you are at. We've helped them, and we'll help you too. 
|
|
|
|
Post by cristina on Jul 17, 2008 17:08:59 GMT -5
So I started to put a tsp of uncle jims duk soup mix in with the watered kibble and sure enough they are eating! slowly but surely...If I make it too watery though Boomer wont eat it, Penny knows thats all shes getting so she deals it (like a good girl!), Boomer is very wary of the new food though. I tried giving them chicken and turkey baby food and Boomer will eat this but She wont unless I force her by dabbing some one her chin (she hates me for this!)...I'm trying and Im making slow progress, but at least its progress! Each day I notice a little more eaten out of the bowl but I dont really know who ate what since Im gone at work all day, but I have seen them both eat it at night so that makes me happy! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 17, 2008 17:13:31 GMT -5
Yay! Im excited that things are progressing They can be a pain in the bum when it comes to switching diets, but all in all I think you are headed in the right direction.  and keep us posted! Anyway you could get us some pics of them eating? We LOVE "diet transition pics"  |
|
|
|
Post by cristina on Jul 18, 2008 20:43:10 GMT -5
So today I got bored and curious to see if my 2 would eat some raw meat, yea I know its early and I shouldnt push it and take my time but I was interested to see their reaction! I mixed damp kibble with some ground venison meat and added duk soup for a familiar flavor. Here was the outcome: Boomer smelled it and walked away and went back to bed  ...but hes a pig so Im gonna let them fast for a couple hours and see if they will give in (they are only a year old next month, so they are still kinda young so Im hoping this may work). Penny smelled it, danced around the bowl and then all of the sudden got scared of it, and was spooked because of it, I dont know what she was doing! I thought she was excited at first but then she fled the scene in a panic!  They both ate at 1pm and its now almost 10 pm so Im going to wait 1 more hour then switch it back....I was really hoping for a great outcome! I was also thinking if they got hungry enough they would at least give it a try (then learn to love it!) but I guess I just cant rush it! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by cristina on Jul 19, 2008 10:32:17 GMT -5
OMG!! Right before I was about to take the venison/kibble away Boomer walks up to the bowl and grabs a chunk then goes and hides under the dresser and ATE IT!!!!!!!
He only ate that small chunk but thats all I needed for my happiness!!!
Penny on the other hand is not taking well to the switch but she will hopefully come around soon!
|
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 19, 2008 16:11:01 GMT -5
Well that is great to hear that Bommer took a chunk! Go boomer! Its normal to have ferrets that are on different stages of the switch (try switching a large business of 10 ferrets ) but they all catch up to eachother eventually. Hang in there and try not to get discouraged. I know its tough, but you'll get em switched! Keep us posted! |
|
|
|
Post by cristina on Jul 21, 2008 17:31:10 GMT -5
So I had to take a step back....after I tried the raw meat add in they were skeptical of the next feeding time, this seems like it will take forever!
The problem Im concerned about is that they can literally smell the "new meat" and they will dance around it but refuse to eat it, and after that even refuse to go near it. I guess I just have to add it in seriously a tsp at a time, when we get that far!
|
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 21, 2008 19:49:23 GMT -5
Hey, its OK if you have to go super slow. Yes, it may make you want to rip your hair out, BUT take it slow and steady and they WILL switch, I PROMISE. We are here to keep you going, so dont give up! I know you want to slam your head into a wall right now (lol) TRUST ME I just switched an 8 year old ferret (NOT easy) I feel your pain But I did it! It was a great lesson in patience. Seeing De reap the rewards of a healthier diet makes it all worth it. Just stay focused on your goal, take it slow, and you'll get there I promise! Keep us posted. |
|
|
|
Post by cristina on Jul 24, 2008 21:33:08 GMT -5
Here is my new dilemma...Boomer will eat the little bit of raw turkey I mixed with the kibble today but Penny wont go near it. I really dont want Boomer to go back a step since hes made great progress (so I dont want to go back to plain wet kibble), but I dont want Penny to literally starve (I dont want to leave only meat and kibble out). Because she does literally starve herself until I put out the wet kibble only and take the meat out of the area.
I just dont know what to do, I cant leave out both kinds since they will only eat the kibble one only, but I want Boomer to keep moving up.
|
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 25, 2008 12:35:09 GMT -5
Leave out a bowl of food for Booms and a bowl of food for Penny You have encountered the dreaded "ferrets on different stages of the switch"  Like I said earlier, its common (although not very fun! ) Don't worry, we'll work our way around this Give them seperate bowls and slowly work with Penny to see "how far she'll go" with the new food. |
|
|
|
Post by quill on Jul 25, 2008 18:32:53 GMT -5
My Yuki and Nikko switched at different levels! Once Nikko really started eating the meat he didn't want the kibble any more even though it was in the cage for Yuki. Yuki took forever to eat the meat and I think she did it because Nikko was eating and she tries to be alpha. Our switch was slow but worth every day of patience!
|
|
