Planning Ahead and a tad lost...

[balletfert30]

(woops i noticed i accidentally put this in the wrong thread again so i relocated it here!)

Hi all,

I am getting two new baby ferrets (3-4 months) in May and i want to start them off on a natural diet. As i was kindly pointed to post here, i am hoping i can get some help in this. The more i read the more confused i get (or i might just be confusing myself!) and i want to get this right so i can have happy and healthy ferrets! I was wondering for baby ferrets and natural diet in general:

1. what exactly should i do/how slow or fast to go starting them on the natural diet?

2. since they are young how soon can they eat bones too and what part of meat/bone combo should i start with? (like feeding them small piece of meat and 1 small bone in it to chicken wings,etc?).

3. i have heard that by some that if feeding raw meats that i should add supplements and from others ive heard i dont need to do this at all. Which is correct?

4. i have also heard alot about making sure u get meats with "ages that vary" what does this mean exactly and how can you tell?

5. i am wanting to get the meats from HEB and/or Walmart, are packaged raw meats okay or do i need to go straight to the butchery there?

6. There is a lot of mention of the Wysong Arch-I product, is it a good substitute for raw meats?

7. when feeding raw meat is it safe to feed meat pieces and etc parts (like livers,etc) at the same time or do u need to vary that?

Thats all i can think to ask at this time, hope im not asking too much questions! Thanks a bunch!

[bigsis7]

ARG!! I filled out this whole thing and had long answers, then my computer restarted ! So I'll try to answer them the best I can, again!!

1. what exactly should i do/how slow or fast to go starting them on the natural diet?

It really depends on the ferret and how fast they take to eating raw. Since you are getting younger ferrets, it'll be easier. I would start off with small, cubed chicken breaded in crushed kibble.

2. since they are young how soon can they eat bones too and what part of meat/bone combo should i start with? (like feeding them small piece of meat and 1 small bone in it to chicken wings,etc?).

Once they are eating boneless meat well, you can try giving them chicken wings, since they have smaller bones that are easier to eat. Once they are comfortable with that you can try bigger bones, like leg bones and neck bones.

3. i have heard that by some that if feeding raw meats that i should add supplements and from others ive heard i dont need to do this at all. Which is correct?

No, supplementing isn't neccasary. Some people raise the oil in take of their ferret during the winter. If you wish to do this use Omega 2 fish oil.

4. i have also heard alot about making sure u get meats with "ages that vary" what does this mean exactly and how can you tell?

That is just with whole prey. All you have to do with meat is make sure you feed at least three different kinds (turkey, pork, chicken, beef, etc.). And make sure to feed RMB's (raw and meaty bones) 4 days a week (wings, legs, necks, backs, etc.), boneless meat 2 days a week, and organs 1 day a week (livers and kidneys)

5. i am wanting to get the meats from HEB and/or Walmart, are packaged raw meats okay or do i need to go straight to the butchery there?

Packaged meat is fine as long as it hasn't been treated with chemicals and such. Getting fro a butcher is great too!

6. There is a lot of mention of the Wysong Arch-I product, is it a good substitute for raw meats?

I personally don't know, but Stella and Chewy's is a great subsitute, but can be more expensive. Sometimes not. It really depends on what is available in your area.

7. when feeding raw meat is it safe to feed meat pieces and etc parts (like livers,etc) at the same time or do u need to vary that?

Livers and kidneys can be fed once a week. Hearts and gizzards can be fed as treats, but shouldn't take up a big part of their diet.

When you get your ferrets I suggest checking out the Holistic Ferret Mentor Program! Hope this helped!

[sherrylynne]

I agree with Bigsis- start a thread in the Mentor section. That way, someone will be able to talk you through all your questions, as well as give a lot of good advice!
As soon as you get your ferrets, that is