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Post by cristina on Jul 28, 2008 17:56:26 GMT -5
YAY!!! They are eating puree meat mixed with wet kibble!!! I learned if I blend the raw meat in the blender and add duk soup, they eat it!!! They dont eat much of it, but at least they are eating!
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 30, 2008 19:30:46 GMT -5
Excellent! Keep up the work and as they get used to this blend you can slowly increase the amount of meat in the blend while decreasing any added ingredients. Keep me posted!  |
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Post by Forum Administrator on Aug 13, 2008 23:10:16 GMT -5
How are things going? Hadn't heard an update in a while, and well....im a worry wort   |
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Post by cristina on Aug 23, 2008 10:30:54 GMT -5
the switch is still slow, I add a little more every so often but Penny gets mad when she notices and refuses to eat so I have to go back a bit. We are getting father slowly but surely, its just taking a lot longer than I anticipated.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Aug 23, 2008 17:49:44 GMT -5
Sometimes progress is slow, and that's okay. It might be frustrating, but its def. worth it in the long run! Keep at it, keep us posted, and if you have any questions/concearns don't hesitate to ask! |
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Post by Forum Administrator on Aug 28, 2008 16:25:09 GMT -5
Just wanted to check in to see if they've made any progress, what they are currently eating, and if you had any questions |
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Post by Forum Administrator on Sept 2, 2008 19:12:43 GMT -5
Bump  |
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Post by cristina on Sept 2, 2008 19:28:37 GMT -5
I tried to mix crushed kibble and raw meat together (kinda like the other way around that I usually do) and they wouldnt go near it, either of them.
Im still mixing (now a larger amount) of raw meat with kibble, water and duk soup, which they eat normal everyday....but I dont want them to get too "use" to it since they are very picky! So Im going to try ripping apart pieces of thigh meat from chicken and mix it in with the food.
The only progress we have made is that I can put in alot of meat if i mix it with kibble and water, but if I leave out the kibble or if the kibble takes on a different shape they wont go near it! Frustrating....but in the long run it will pay off, that I do know!
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Post by cristina on Sept 9, 2008 22:55:45 GMT -5
**update**
Since I got worried about the kibble+raw food borne illness issue I ground the kibble up with a coffee bean grinder into pretty much powder and I now mix in raw with a 1/2 tbls of the powder kibble.
Also I have added small chunks of raw chicken breast and thigh to get them use to the idea that meat is chewy (not watered with kibble lol), no one has really taken to the chunks yet, though I have found some of these chunk pieces of chicken stashed under furniture in my room! haha, even though they may not be eating the chunks yet I'm happy to see they are at least curious about them and carry them around!
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Post by Forum Administrator on Sept 9, 2008 23:07:32 GMT -5
Its definitly good to hear they showed interest in the chunks (even if they didnt eat them)! One thing you can do that might help them try the chunks is to chop them REALLY tiny. When I first got Sams to switch (when he was still alive) I took a piece of meat and I MINCED it. Meaning I chopped it into such small pieces it was almost a pile of goop! Then I gradually increased the size of the chunks. He actually caught on really quick. He had to learn how to eat the chunks, but working him from super small to big chunks seemed to teach him. Let me know if making the chunks smaller entices them to eat Keep up the hard work. You'll get there, I promise. |
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Post by cristina on Sept 18, 2008 22:09:40 GMT -5
a.) Do you understand that by starting this thread you commit to posting updates on the progress of your ferret(s) diet switch atleast every other day?
YES
b.) Do you understand that if you will be away from your computer for an extended period of time you will need to exchange phone numbers (or email addresses if you don't feel comfortable exchanging numbers) via private message with your assigned mentor, so that we can monitor your progress and ensure your ferret's saftey during the switch? (Please post below letting us know that you and your mentor have exchanged phone numbers or emails)....
YES
c.) Do you understand that any threads that have not been updated in for more then a week (with no explaination as to why you are absent) will result in the deletion of the thread?
YES
**Note 1: If you are unable to make it to a computer (such as on weekends) please indicate below so we know whether you just dont have computer access or if you have gone MIA.
YES
***Note 2: If you would like to try the switch again and you are committed to making regular updates you ARE welcome to restart your thread. Failure to provide regular updates will result in the deletion of your thread.
UNDERSTOOD
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Post by cristina on Sept 18, 2008 22:15:12 GMT -5
***I haven't filled out the survey forms for switching (like the ones that ask questions about our ferrets), would you like me to fill those out and post them on my thread (I dont mind, I would be more than happy to!)***
Also I have a question/concern....my ferrets are between ground meat and chopped pieces of meat, no bone yet.....how long can they go without bone? My switch with them is taking soooo long and I need to make sure they arent lacking vital nutrients for too long!
They wont eat bone yet I have tried, Im JUST now weaning them off the powdered kibble I add in to make them eat the meat.
Please let me know what I can/should do, because now Im worried!!!
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Post by Forum Administrator on Sept 18, 2008 22:30:26 GMT -5
Sure, fill out a form, that would be great If they arent eating bone yet, get them eating 1tsp of ground eggshell per 8oz of meat That will supply them with enough calcium to get them through the switch. You still want to get them onto bone eventually, because it contains more minerals then just calcium. But it IS important that they get a calcium source, and eggshell will do the job just fine. Work on weaning them off the powdered kibble and onto the eggshell instead |
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Post by cristina on Sept 19, 2008 13:03:16 GMT -5
1. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names, ages, genders, and do they have any health problems (this is VERY important)?
PENNY: FEMALE, 1 YEAR OLD, ALLERGIES.
BOOMER: MALE, 1 YEAR OLD, DEAF.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
POWDERED KIBBLE (1/2 TSP) MIXED WITH GROUND MEAT AND RAW CHICKEN CHUNKS. THEY HAVE N-BONES (CUT UP) AS TREATS SINCE THIS IS THE ONLY TREAT THAT IS DECENT FOR THEM THAT THEY WILL EAT.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
WHOLE PREY, LIVE MICE AND SUCH
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
FOR THEIR WELLBEING, HAVE HAD HEALTH ISSUES WITH KIBBLE.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
LOOKING ONLINE I CAME ACROSS ONE OF THE GIRLS ON HERE TALKING ABOUT THE RAW DIET AND SHE GAVE ME THE WEBSITE AND NOW IM COMMITED.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
BOOMER: (WAS OVERWEIGHT ON KIBBLE) NOW HE IS 2.5 LBS PENNY: (WOULD LIKE HER TO GAIN A BIT) NOW IS 1 LB AND 10-12 GRAMS (IT FLUCTUATES)
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
WILL TRY TO GET A PIC AND POST IT LATER
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
BOOMER: GREAT, FULL, SOFT, WHITE AND SILVER.
PENNY: A BIT COARSE, MED-DARK SIAMESE, A BIT THIN, WITH A CREAM UNDERCOAT.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
OHH I WOULD PROBABLY SAY ONCE EVERY 2-4 HOURS
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
NO NOT REALLY
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
PENNY: SMELLS PRETTY MUSKY BY HER NECK
BOOMER: BEARLY HAS A MUSK
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
PENNY: 8
BOOMER: 10
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
VERY EXCITED
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
LEFT OUT A WING OR THIGH WHOLE BUT THEY DIDNT TOUCH IT
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
ON MY BANNER!
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Post by cristina on Sept 20, 2008 23:25:20 GMT -5
They both will not eat their food when I add in the ground egg shells (I even ground them to a powder and they still wouldnt go near it!) Now Im worried about them getting calcium and what I should do! They both literally went on strike the whole day until I put out their "normal" food (without the egg shells)  |
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