Post by mrohrabaugh on Oct 14, 2008 14:39:15 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)?
I have one ferret (for now). Her name is Nibbles, 9 months old, female, no health problems that I’m aware of.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
She eats Drs. Fosters and Smith The ferret store superior choice original ferret diet. She really doesn’t eat any treats. She does try to eat candy or my puppy treats if she can get to them.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I just want her to be on a much healthier diet. It can be raw or prey. I just want to do what I can handle as well as what is best for her. I'm probably leaning toward the raw diet.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
I want my ferret to have the healthiest life that she can have. I’m also switching all of my animals to a natural diet.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
It’s actually a funny story. I have a French Bulldog and they are known for the gas that they have. My friend mentioned to look online because they add cottage cheese to their Bulldogs food to reduce the gas. So I started researching French Bulldogs diets and found a forum where they talk about the raw diet. I read about the benefits and it made sense. I started researching for the three cats that I have and the ferret and decided this was best for my animals.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
I would say that she is about 2 lbs. She appears to be normal weight. Her muscle tone seems to be very good.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
The condition of her teeth is good. She has pink gums and white teeth.
I couldn't get the pictures to post right but if you click on the links you can see the pictures that I have.
farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2942582160_43ec73327c.jpg
farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/2941725091_37e2dbbb9e.jpg
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
She has a black and white coat. The coat is in good condition but this is my first ferret some I'm unaware of what is abnormal coat.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
She usually goes in between naps and when see gets out of her cage in the morning. It’s hard to judge when she goes because of the litter boxes all around the house and in some places I can’t exactly see her at.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
It doesn't smell unless your very close.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Her odor is only strong if your nose is right next to her but other wise she doesn’t have a very strong odor.
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
I would say that she is a 8. There are times where she is really hyper and other times she likes to nap most of the day.
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
She pretty much eats when ever she wants so I can’t really say how excited she gets.
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?
Nibbles has been a great joy in the house. She brings a whole new attitude into the house. This is my first ferret and I’m really glad that I got her.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
I couldn't get the pictures right, I'm sorry, so I posted a link to the pictures.
farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2942583090_5ca7010e9e.jpg
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
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 explanation 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.
I have one ferret (for now). Her name is Nibbles, 9 months old, female, no health problems that I’m aware of.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
She eats Drs. Fosters and Smith The ferret store superior choice original ferret diet. She really doesn’t eat any treats. She does try to eat candy or my puppy treats if she can get to them.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I just want her to be on a much healthier diet. It can be raw or prey. I just want to do what I can handle as well as what is best for her. I'm probably leaning toward the raw diet.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
I want my ferret to have the healthiest life that she can have. I’m also switching all of my animals to a natural diet.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
It’s actually a funny story. I have a French Bulldog and they are known for the gas that they have. My friend mentioned to look online because they add cottage cheese to their Bulldogs food to reduce the gas. So I started researching French Bulldogs diets and found a forum where they talk about the raw diet. I read about the benefits and it made sense. I started researching for the three cats that I have and the ferret and decided this was best for my animals.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
I would say that she is about 2 lbs. She appears to be normal weight. Her muscle tone seems to be very good.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
The condition of her teeth is good. She has pink gums and white teeth.
I couldn't get the pictures to post right but if you click on the links you can see the pictures that I have.
farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2942582160_43ec73327c.jpg
farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/2941725091_37e2dbbb9e.jpg
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
She has a black and white coat. The coat is in good condition but this is my first ferret some I'm unaware of what is abnormal coat.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
She usually goes in between naps and when see gets out of her cage in the morning. It’s hard to judge when she goes because of the litter boxes all around the house and in some places I can’t exactly see her at.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
It doesn't smell unless your very close.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Her odor is only strong if your nose is right next to her but other wise she doesn’t have a very strong odor.
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
I would say that she is a 8. There are times where she is really hyper and other times she likes to nap most of the day.
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
She pretty much eats when ever she wants so I can’t really say how excited she gets.
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?
Nibbles has been a great joy in the house. She brings a whole new attitude into the house. This is my first ferret and I’m really glad that I got her.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
I couldn't get the pictures right, I'm sorry, so I posted a link to the pictures.
farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2942583090_5ca7010e9e.jpg
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
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 explanation 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.
Give that a go and if it doesnt work, don't despair, try again, but this time, remove her kibble for about 6-8 hours and THEN offer the chunks. If even that doesnt work, dont despair, we have other tricks up our sleeve that you can try. 