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Post by jadieglitch on Mar 25, 2009 14:04:01 GMT -5
... that having a vegan ferret is out of the question???  |
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Post by fuzzymom on Mar 25, 2009 14:14:19 GMT -5
Very much so!
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Post by bigsis7 on Mar 25, 2009 14:19:08 GMT -5
LOL, way out of question ! Man can you imagine the health problems and the poop!? Just the thought scares me! |
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Post by fuzzymom on Mar 25, 2009 14:21:14 GMT -5
It would be like feeding a carrot to a snake. Hahaha. And I bet the poop would smell horrible!
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Post by bigsis7 on Mar 25, 2009 14:23:57 GMT -5
When I got Chewie my guess is that he was being fed veggies and friuts because he stunk and his poop was orange for a day!!
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Post by jadieglitch on Mar 25, 2009 14:56:23 GMT -5
Wow, that's terrible!!
So no veggies/fruits, even for treats??
I don't have any ferrets yet. I'm doing my proper research before jumping into things. We are in the process of buying a house so I figure that I can get all "educated" now, then when we're moving in I can ferret proof things as I go, instead of redoing everything I had done.
We're going to get the house, ferret proof it, get all the supplies, get the food, and THEN get the ferret.
We already breed our own ASF rats for our snakes, and my parents breed gerbils.... so how does premium kitten food, live pray of young ASF rats and young gerbils, and the occasional chicken neck/wing/leg sound?
I think I am at least on the right track when it comes to that... although, I'm not sure about the premium kitten food... is this of track?
Thanks!
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Post by tsslilsis on Mar 25, 2009 14:58:02 GMT -5
Actually I recall reading that someone on here had met a couple who spoke about their ferret(s?) passing away in a short period of time after aqquiring them.. After some conversation, it was found out that the couple put the ferret on a vegetarian diet just as they were eating and the poor ferret(s?) died of malnutrition in about a week or so.
-~Ketlin
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Post by Heather on Mar 25, 2009 15:02:42 GMT -5
Please....don't....I know of someone who did this to their furbaby. This 9 month old kit died of starvation....this isn't even chuckling matter  It can't be done. They are dyed in the wool carnivores. I'm hoping that this thread is done tongue in cheek and that someone is just getting frustrated  ciao |
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Post by fuzzymom on Mar 25, 2009 15:06:05 GMT -5
Actually if you feed the asf rats, gerbils, and the raw meat, you are all set. No need for kibble. I think the general idea is that if they are getting at least 3 different kinds of meat/whole prey, they are good. More variety is always good, but at least 3 gives them what they need. You could try breeding mice for the ferrets as well.
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Post by jadieglitch on Mar 25, 2009 15:39:10 GMT -5
I've bred mice before and I just CANNOT stand how they smell. We got into ASF Rats and Gerbils because they're "desert dwellers" and their bodies are different than regular rats or mice. Something about their kidneys retaining the liquid for longer or something...
I only have to clean their bedding once a month... and that's just because I like to see fresh stuff in there. They have absoluely no scent (at least, that my human nose can pick up). They just smell like their bedding.
We were breeding mice for our snakes, and when I was on the cornsnake forum, someone told me about the ASF Rats. They don't get any bigger than mice and their babies are comparable in size to mouse pinkies, so they are perfect for my hatchling snakes.
I can probably occasionally get ahold of chicks... especially in springtime, but they wouldn't be a regular staple in their diet.
So what if we used the live prey I mentioned before, plus chicken necks/wings, and then just made sure they had kibble at all times to snack on if they wanted, but not as a staple in their diet?
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Post by jadieglitch on Mar 25, 2009 15:41:46 GMT -5
 They're pretty cute, but they can be MEAN little suckers if they wanna be. Especially when they have babies. |
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Post by jadieglitch on Mar 25, 2009 15:43:28 GMT -5
Oh man... sorry for so many posts... I just saw this
No, it wasn't intended as "tongue in cheek". I actually, honestly, wanted to know what was wrong with it, considering that I am a vegan. I wasn't meaning to upset anyone. It was a real question.
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Post by fuzzymom on Mar 25, 2009 15:55:15 GMT -5
I wouldn't even use kibble as a snack. It really isn't good for them. I have two asfs. I was wanting to breed them for my snakes (12 snakes total) but it turned out the guy I got them from only had two males, so now I'm stuck with two males.
I am vegetarian and still feed my ferrets raw with plans to switch my cats and dog over as well. I was vegan for a time, but because I don't know how to cook vegan food, I wasn't getting enough food (I was eating vegan junk food and lots of white rice and tons of sugar. It wasn't good)
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Post by jadieglitch on Mar 25, 2009 16:07:17 GMT -5
Yep, it was a bit of a challenge to get into... but basically what I eat are fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, PB&J "sammiches", whole grain breads, pastas (I LOVE my s'ghetti!), bean soups (so easy, and never the same each time.. but sooo good), salads, fresco-style things at taco bell... hmm, more stuff but I can't think of anything off the top of my head... but I AM getting hungry now, THANKS. Back on track: I know that I'll have to get a mentor in order to do any actual "switching over", but I was wanting to get a feel of things first... So, why is Vegan bad for ferrets? Too much fiber? If it done with lots of protein (beans, nuts, etc) what makes it bad for them?? |
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Post by harrisi on Mar 25, 2009 16:55:59 GMT -5
Ferrets are not made to digest or extract nutrients/fiber/protein from plant matter. Nor is it good for their teeth. Infact, getting ferrets to eat vegan foods is a task in the first place!
I feed fresh veggies the rabbits before I kill them for food and 1 or 2 of my ferrets will eat some of the veggies from the stomach but thats about it. Also, could you imagine the smell of the poop and the colour of their fur.....ack! lol!
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