Post by britnyle on Feb 26, 2009 23:52:00 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 currently only have one ferret kit. I plan on getting more in the future. His certificate from the store said he was born between December 7-13th, 2009. He's a boy and I havn't named him yet because I got him last Tuesday and I like to get to know my animals before I name them. I think he might be deaf but I'm not 100% sure yet.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
He was eating Marshall Ferret Food at the store and since I've had him I've been feeding him the ferret food mixed with little pieces of venison, chicken, and rabbit. He doesn't even eat the kibble anymore. He picks out the pieces of meat and shakes off any kibble thats stuck to it. He also seems to prefer the venison because he picks it out and eats it all first.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I would like to switch to a live prey diet but would also like to give occasional raw meat treats because he loves venison.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
I love natural everything and want my animals to have the best.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
I got interested in natural diets after watching the news here and always hearing about food recalls and all these people losing their pets because of toxic food. I like having more control on what my animals eat.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
I'm not sure of his current weight but I know he had to pass a certain weight limit before he could leave the store. He seems to be kind of pudgy and has a little pot belly but I think it's because he's a kit and my 6th months old puppy gets the same thing after he eats.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
His gums and teeth look great and are very clean and healthy looking.
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
He's very soft with longer course hairs. He's a cream color mainly but he has a white face that runs down to his chest. He also is a lighter brown on his tail and around his legs.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
He goes about 5-6 times a day. Mainly after he eats or wakes up.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
A little but nothing too strong.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
He doesn't have much of a natural odor at all, he mainly still smells like the bedding he was in at the store.
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Definatly a 10! He's always running and playing and trying to escape from his cage. He rarely ever sits still.
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
He doesn't like the kibble much, but gets very excited and makes all kind of cute noises while I'm getting his food out for him.
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
Not really, I just got him.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
He is VERY loud. He screams whenever he sees me or if I leave him somewhere and he cant see me. He also screams and freaks out when I put him back in his cage. And he makes grunting noices when he gets his food and when he's playing with me.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
I have been trying for the last three days to get a picture of him but it is impossible. He refuses to stay still long enough for me to get a picture that doesn't turn out looking like a white blur.
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 explaination as to why you are absent) will result in the deletion of the thread?***
yes
I currently only have one ferret kit. I plan on getting more in the future. His certificate from the store said he was born between December 7-13th, 2009. He's a boy and I havn't named him yet because I got him last Tuesday and I like to get to know my animals before I name them. I think he might be deaf but I'm not 100% sure yet.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
He was eating Marshall Ferret Food at the store and since I've had him I've been feeding him the ferret food mixed with little pieces of venison, chicken, and rabbit. He doesn't even eat the kibble anymore. He picks out the pieces of meat and shakes off any kibble thats stuck to it. He also seems to prefer the venison because he picks it out and eats it all first.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I would like to switch to a live prey diet but would also like to give occasional raw meat treats because he loves venison.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
I love natural everything and want my animals to have the best.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
I got interested in natural diets after watching the news here and always hearing about food recalls and all these people losing their pets because of toxic food. I like having more control on what my animals eat.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
I'm not sure of his current weight but I know he had to pass a certain weight limit before he could leave the store. He seems to be kind of pudgy and has a little pot belly but I think it's because he's a kit and my 6th months old puppy gets the same thing after he eats.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
His gums and teeth look great and are very clean and healthy looking.
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
He's very soft with longer course hairs. He's a cream color mainly but he has a white face that runs down to his chest. He also is a lighter brown on his tail and around his legs.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
He goes about 5-6 times a day. Mainly after he eats or wakes up.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
A little but nothing too strong.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
He doesn't have much of a natural odor at all, he mainly still smells like the bedding he was in at the store.
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Definatly a 10! He's always running and playing and trying to escape from his cage. He rarely ever sits still.
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
He doesn't like the kibble much, but gets very excited and makes all kind of cute noises while I'm getting his food out for him.
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
Not really, I just got him.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
He is VERY loud. He screams whenever he sees me or if I leave him somewhere and he cant see me. He also screams and freaks out when I put him back in his cage. And he makes grunting noices when he gets his food and when he's playing with me.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
I have been trying for the last three days to get a picture of him but it is impossible. He refuses to stay still long enough for me to get a picture that doesn't turn out looking like a white blur.
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 explaination as to why you are absent) will result in the deletion of the thread?***
yes
. Since your fuzz is still a baby, the switch should be simple, especially as he is already eating meats! I'd take the kibble out, and try giving him a couple ounces of diced meat, and see what he does with it. Let us know!
.
, and gods know- they're spoiled enough as it is! That way, I can make sure they are getting everything they need, as well. 
I'm planning on buying some mice soon so I can start a breeding colony again. Once they start producing I'm going to feed him mainly live with only raw for treats.