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Post by novemberkris on Jan 25, 2009 14:20:49 GMT -5
Well, Paulie is sure eating soupies with meat bits in it from the Primal line, and its timing up as his kibble is running toward the end of the bag. I had one failed switch before he was hospitalized with entiritis. I'm preparing to try again, hence introducing meats from the handy Primal sampler I got for maybe $4-6 when I wanted more than Rabbit to test his taste buds on. It's been nice to test some of the flavors. So, I joined the NV coupon mailing list and got a coupon for buy one 3lb bag of medallions get another free (an awesome coupon!) to use at my favorite store, Pet People. I tried Nature's Variety before when he wouldn't eat soup, and I loved the serving size idea. The coupon just makes it an economical diet to use to begin a switch, especially since I have 1 ferret. Plus, I already know my parents' dog will eat the leftovers. My question is, what are good NV starter flavors to use for a switch? I have a little duck, chicken, beef and lamb left in the Primal pack (I may want to use Primal in the future for part of the rotation because they now have a Quail diet). I want to make sure that I pick packages he will be likely to try. Since they don't have duck (which he seems to enjoy much in his soupies) I am at a loss as to the best starting point. Thanks for answers and suggestions.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jan 25, 2009 19:09:44 GMT -5
The "best flavors" in you ferrret's opinion will be the flavor that's closest to what he's been eating.
I suspect the chicken will be closest to duck.
NV frozen foods include: Organic chicken, chicken (not organic), and chicken/turkey mix If your ferret is sensitive to chicken (food allergies to chicken are not all that rare!) Rebbit is probably closer to poutry tha beef, lamb, or venison.
You can always mix a small amount of the NEW food flavor with your ferret's current food to introduce new flavors.
-jennifer
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Post by novemberkris on Jan 25, 2009 19:44:05 GMT -5
Paulie's just started tasting any meats at all (I am so proud of the fert).
That chicken allergy question is something I'm curious about, since even on EVO he has on days and off days as far as stomach discomfort. I really think its time to get him switched then I think I'll be able to figure out if chicken is the issue before we wind up back at the vet. We started with rabbit, so that's a good bet again--he might actually try it now that he likes soup. I know that variety is important when switching. I think I'll check for a deal on a Primal raw food when I pick up the Nature's Variety. I have to say, I am excited that Primal does quail and pheasant as an alternative to chicken. If I could get Paulie on a rotation of Pheasant, Quail, and Rabbit to start I think we'd be doing amazingly.
Its a shame they don't do a Primal coupon since Paulie is already tasting bits of their products, but I'll check me Pet People coupons for food ones. I'll check Pet People has plenty of raw varieties and the Gahanna branch has a staff member that feeds raw to his ferrets and advocates it (he helped me pick out NV as a starting food in September/October when we tried switching before.
Now, I figure commercial raw is the least disturbing way to switch in my parents' house. Then I can move up to RMBs and some whole prey once I move out on my own again.
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Post by spiritualtramp on Jan 25, 2009 21:47:45 GMT -5
I've only ever fed the Rabbit NV, but all of my kids love it and took to it no problem. That doesn't help a whole lot with your question though haha. But if he hasn't eaten rabbit before I would suggest starting with something a little more familiar-tasting.
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Post by novemberkris on Jan 25, 2009 21:58:37 GMT -5
Any good duck blends with a higher protein ratio than the Primal Canine? This guy took to duck in soup like he's an otter or muskrat. I'll use my coupon to buy NV that adds variety. Maybe rabbit and venison/lamb? I have until late February for that--about the time I may be trying new flavors. I didn't think he would eat an ounce of duck in his soup today! Its unbelievable after all the fighting before! If he likes it, I'll use it as a starting point. He hissed at it again and ate most of the bowl. I guess when he says "dook" he's really saying "duck" (I know, a horrible horrible joke, but I'm so happy with him again).
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Post by spiritualtramp on Jan 25, 2009 22:48:05 GMT -5
Hahahahaha DOOK soup?? Too funny! I don't know many commercial foods that are duck except for the Primal - It'd be wise to try either the chicken/turkey NV first and then try to add in rabbit or venison or lamb. Although if he's possibly IBD, it might be wiser to just skip the chicken altogether and try to get him on rabbit, lamb and venison. It might take some pushing but it can be done
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Post by animalsgetrevenge on Jan 26, 2009 1:23:10 GMT -5
Mine like the NV medallions in this order: Chicken, beef, rabbit, lamb. Lamb is FAR behind the others, they won't eat it without it being mixed with another flavor. They haven't tried organic chicken or venison.
Good luck!
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Post by novemberkris on Jan 26, 2009 17:39:02 GMT -5
My petstore doesn't even carry lamb now becauseit is so unpopular. I bought some Primal duck to continue and will now use my coupon to get NV when he's eating less kibble and more meat. Then, I'll have more ideas for flavors (still have a sampler with lamb and beef in it). Rabbit will definitely be on my list to get though--it just seems a natural meat. I am impressed by Primal's Quail and Pheasant lines, but the store doesn't carry Quail yet and she says there is a Pheasant shortage and can't get it in. I may be making friends with Hare Today to add variety to ground meats if I need it.
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Post by novemberkris on Jan 26, 2009 17:57:57 GMT -5
Quick question related to this whole thread. This Hare Today sampler looks like a great deal: www.hare-today.com/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=205Should I consider ordering it once Paulie is eating more raw food instead of those that contain added produce? Will it provide all the nutrition he needs if I do that? Its seems like a great option to graduate to, especially with shipping included in the price.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 27, 2009 0:16:20 GMT -5
I don't know if an average of $5.40 per lb is a good deal where you are or not. Also, if you're avoiding chicken, it would be approx. $6.75 per pound. However, I don't know how much Hare Today usually charges for shipping, so I don't know what you'd be saving. As far a nutritionally sufficient, it would seem to be. It has all three in everything. Meat, bone, and organ meat.
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Post by novemberkris on Jan 27, 2009 5:47:06 GMT -5
I guess because that's what I just paid per pound for this Duck formula I thought it was pretty decent (when shipping is included). I'm limited on choices when you eliminate chicken. I'm not sure what my parents would think of me giving him a pork chop to munch on. I do like what I see so far with him though. I may when my mom over if he looks so much healthier--then I'll have more options. I fuss over money like a jerk because I am substitute teaching (I spend more trying to get Paulie yummy, healthy food than I spend on me right now). NV is probably the most economical raw formula, but I am checking out those online options to add variety.
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Post by jojodancer on Jan 27, 2009 8:21:41 GMT -5
Have you checked out Stella and Chewy's? They have chicken free formulas (lamb and beef) And ziwipeak is also chicken free. You can get a sampler pack from me at Casey's Hidden Pantry - but we only have the freeze dried food since it's easier to ship. Our local feeds/needs store sells the frozen S&C.
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Post by novemberkris on Jan 27, 2009 16:26:46 GMT -5
You know, the woman at the Westerville Pet People hadn't heard of S and C, but was enthusiastic about it. She likes to be able to special order raw for folks (I think all of the PPs are like that). PP DOES carry Ziwipeak! They are the only local store I know of that does. She was getting quite the education in ferret nutrition as we sorted out where to start (and then I stuck with what Paulie will taste without spitting it out). I'll have to remember to go to the Gahanna PC because the main guy there owns lots of ferrets and feeds raw. He will be happy I am doing this again. I think that store has more ferret customers so carries more varieties that are popular with ferrets, like the NV rabbit and medallion sizes. They are also the one that carries EVO ferret instead of just Zupreem. I'd rather not have to special order into Westerville every time I want Rabbit. There's only a mile difference in distance between the two from my house.
Right now my list of raw goodies to use in my parents' house includes; Primal Canine Duck (if I keep doing the typo I'm doing I will get in trouble) Primal Feline Pheasant NV Rabbit
Maybe: NV Venison NV Beef
I'll add red meats to the list as I figure out his flavor tolerance for reds. I'd like to do venison because my grandparents hunt every year. I can totally get a couple fun RMBs from them for enrichment! I also may try getting pinkies once he's eating raw and use them as a treat or supplement. PP was right, they don't really look like mice so they might get ignored in the freezer. That will give me an in to whole prey too, once I'm on my own again.
I have totally hijacked my own thread here. About half of this should probably be in my mentor thread.
Thanks to everyone who's provided input so far. It not only helps me use my coupon well, but also make some decisions about other foods to use as part of a rotation. This has been really helpful. No one I know feeds raw. Family members are disturbed by it (until I compare kibble to fortified Fruit Loops). I have to explain to them "you would never feed a reptile or a bird of prey kibble." Even my neighbor in CT wants a report on raw since she's all the way up to EVO Cat for her kitties.
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Post by spiritualtramp on Jan 28, 2009 11:50:24 GMT -5
I like that Fruit Loop comparison - I'll have to use that It sounds like you have some great options in shopping locally which makes it much easier. Do try the S&C - they make a great, quick food especially when going out of town or traveling with the fuzz. A note on the Hare Today, that sampler pack is a good deal as their shipping alone can get pricey, but if you can find the meats locally it's still probably better to buy locally.
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Post by jojodancer on Jan 28, 2009 15:04:07 GMT -5
Another option, is to check out animal food service, based in Green Bay. (website is difficult to maneuver, but the info is on there) AFS uses local vendors; my local vendor drops the food off at my doorstep at no extra charge. You have to contact AFS to let them know you are interested in their product, then they give you the names of the local sellers. perhaps your PP could carry it, too.
All this talk about Westerville and Gahanna is bringing me back to my college days: "O-H"
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