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Post by sassygirl on Apr 9, 2009 5:50:09 GMT -5
some poeple claim that raw bones might cause ferret intestinal blockages?
Is that possible?
I don't believe that,because I know the ferret were hunting rabbit long time ago,and they are carnivorous,never heard lion died because bones...
I just want to know how do I reply him,he think the best diet for ferret is kibble(terrible ingredient like marshall's,no offense!)
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Post by mustelidmusk on Apr 9, 2009 8:33:31 GMT -5
Yes, it is possible for a large bone fragment to cause intestinal obstruction in a ferret. However it's very unlikely since ferrets do not tend to "gulp" their food whole.
-jennifer
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Post by Heather on Apr 10, 2009 0:39:03 GMT -5
I agree. Possible but unlikely. There is a risk of no matter what you feed it might cause a blockage. If you mix something with hair and other indigestibles you could get a blockage. So, it is possible to create a blockage out of bone fragments, but then it's also possible to create that same blockage out of kibble fragments too. It requires the right circumstance to create it. You have to remember that their digestive system was created to digest bone and leach the nutrients from it to be digested and turned into life giving minerals that the ferret needs to survive. One of the most difficult thing about raw or natural feeding is the nay sayers who will tell you that you will harm your furbaby by feeding naturally. Some are interested, and will listen to what you have to say, others you will not be able to change their minds, they've already made up their minds and they "know". Choose your battles, because some you cannot win  Then you need only to have the superb health of your furkid speak for you  I've managed to work this with vets as well as friends and family. I've long since stopped trying to convert. I state the facts, let my ferrets' good health and stamina speak for me and let it go at that. Good luck, ciao |
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Post by kristens on Apr 11, 2009 16:59:39 GMT -5
I have a questiom:
but the balance with raw diet,Isn't that including feed raw bones(the calcium)?
how do I feed them bones without to harm them?cut small pieces??or.....?
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Post by harrisi on Apr 11, 2009 17:16:22 GMT -5
I have a questiom: but the balance with raw diet,Isn't that including feed raw bones(the calcium)? how do I feed them bones without to harm them?cut small pieces??or.....? A raw diet doesn't HAVE to include bone but it does NEED to include some other form of calcium. I feed whole prey and have never had a problem, I had more problems with bloat/chokeing on kibble ! |
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Post by Heather on Apr 11, 2009 20:35:03 GMT -5
I suppose you don't have to feed bone, but if you don't it's never really going to be truly a natural diet and you cannot get the same mineral composition. You can offer egg shell or some sort of manufactured supplement but why? If you feed bone, you don't have to worry about whether or not your supplement is worth something. You can feed prey, that's the ultimate but not everyone can afford prey or feel inclined to feed prey (for some people it just doesn't work). The simple end is all you have to feed is bone in meats, bone small enough for your ferrets to consume the bone materials. It won't harm your ferret, to feed chicken wings, necks, even legs...you can feed pork riblets, even smaller ribs. My guys were enjoying venison rib tips the other day. Some feed chicken feet (very high in calcium, a little harder to get but doable). My guys love quail quarters, the bone is a little fine to supply the high end calcium but it helps round out their needs. Tonight they're getting rabbit pieces bone in, legs, ribs, back and neck, as the rabbit is young, I'm just going to chop it up in large pieces and let them eat it. Sometimes, in the cases like turkey...a hammer helps break down the bone a bit so that they can handle it.
Yes, on this site we have a tendency to advocate the use of bone instead of supplementation, because it's simpler and safer than supplementation. When the mentors are helping their students to switch their ferrets to a natural or raw diet they may resort in the beginning to the use of egg shell but all ferrets that graduate will be eating bone in meat (whether ground or whole meat or prey).
All things being equal, like harrisi stated, I've had more problems with kibble than I've ever had with a raw diet
ciao
ciao
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