Post by Chelsea on Nov 17, 2008 7:10:57 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)?
2. The white ones name is Jasper, and the other doesnt have an official name yet.. we're still deciding. They are both boys, and no health problems i am aware of.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
Cheap store brand ferret fiesta stuff. I was going to switch them to a "better" quality kibble, but if im going to swtich them to raw why bother getting a "better" kibble.
They both love ferret tone.
Ive tried giving them some cooked chicken as a treat, and they hated it.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
Raw/whole prey. I just bought a couple mice to try and breed, hopfully it works.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
My dog is on a natural diet and i know its the best thing for them. I hate seeing my lil fuzzies crunching on kibble.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
Ive been feeding it to my dog for a couple years. Im not sure where i heard of it, but i wouldnt feed him anything else.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
I dont know their weight. I have a scale i could try and get a weight on them tonight. The one we found on the side of the road (the one without a name) was skinny, but hes gained weight and looks like hes at a normal healthy weight now. Jasper came to me froma guy who couldnt take care of him, he never got out of his cage and was eating cat food. He has also gained weight and is getting more muscle now that he gets out every day.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
I dont know if i can get a picture, ill try tonight. No names teeth arnt that bad, but Jaspers are pretty dirty.
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
No names is soft and fluffy, he has a mask sort of and hes really light colored underneath his fur and his outer hairs are darl/black.
Jaspers hair is kinda scruffy, i think from the cat food. Its actually been getting better even on cheap ferret food. Hes all white and kinda has yellow ish tint on his neck.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
Jasper goes alot, the other not as much. They are still in separate cages so its easy to tell whos is whos.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
Sort of. Not really that bad. Only if i forget to clean thier box (i usually clean it every day)
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Jasper smelled HORRIBLE when i got him. Even after a bath. But ever since he switched from cat food he hasnt smelt that bad at all.
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Id say maybe 6-7 for both of them. By looking at their teeth it looks like they are somewhat old. Many like 4, 5? Once again im going to try and get a pic so maybe someone can tell how old they are.
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Its in there all the time, so they really dont get excited at all.
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
No
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
No name was found running by my moms work on the side of a highway. And I got Jasper from some guy thats a fried of my dads friend who couldnt take care of him anymore.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
17.
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. Ill try to get on the computer as much as i can.
Weekends are sometimes hard for me to get online. But usually i get on the copmputer for like 10-15 mins every morning durring the week before i leave for school so i can update you then.
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?
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.
***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.
2. The white ones name is Jasper, and the other doesnt have an official name yet.. we're still deciding. They are both boys, and no health problems i am aware of.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
Cheap store brand ferret fiesta stuff. I was going to switch them to a "better" quality kibble, but if im going to swtich them to raw why bother getting a "better" kibble.
They both love ferret tone.
Ive tried giving them some cooked chicken as a treat, and they hated it.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
Raw/whole prey. I just bought a couple mice to try and breed, hopfully it works.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
My dog is on a natural diet and i know its the best thing for them. I hate seeing my lil fuzzies crunching on kibble.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
Ive been feeding it to my dog for a couple years. Im not sure where i heard of it, but i wouldnt feed him anything else.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
I dont know their weight. I have a scale i could try and get a weight on them tonight. The one we found on the side of the road (the one without a name) was skinny, but hes gained weight and looks like hes at a normal healthy weight now. Jasper came to me froma guy who couldnt take care of him, he never got out of his cage and was eating cat food. He has also gained weight and is getting more muscle now that he gets out every day.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
I dont know if i can get a picture, ill try tonight. No names teeth arnt that bad, but Jaspers are pretty dirty.
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
No names is soft and fluffy, he has a mask sort of and hes really light colored underneath his fur and his outer hairs are darl/black.
Jaspers hair is kinda scruffy, i think from the cat food. Its actually been getting better even on cheap ferret food. Hes all white and kinda has yellow ish tint on his neck.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
Jasper goes alot, the other not as much. They are still in separate cages so its easy to tell whos is whos.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
Sort of. Not really that bad. Only if i forget to clean thier box (i usually clean it every day)
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Jasper smelled HORRIBLE when i got him. Even after a bath. But ever since he switched from cat food he hasnt smelt that bad at all.
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Id say maybe 6-7 for both of them. By looking at their teeth it looks like they are somewhat old. Many like 4, 5? Once again im going to try and get a pic so maybe someone can tell how old they are.
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Its in there all the time, so they really dont get excited at all.
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
No
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
No name was found running by my moms work on the side of a highway. And I got Jasper from some guy thats a fried of my dads friend who couldnt take care of him anymore.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
17.
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. Ill try to get on the computer as much as i can.
Weekends are sometimes hard for me to get online. But usually i get on the copmputer for like 10-15 mins every morning durring the week before i leave for school so i can update you then.
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?
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.
***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.
!! Keep us updated!