Post by crazyferret17 on Mar 1, 2009 18:28:11 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 3 ferrets. Riku (about 1 year old, healthy), Moose (thinking about 2.5 years, healthy but a little chubby), Champ (about 2.5 years, Skinny and trying to get weight on, has a hard time walking because has no muscle mass, think it is ulcers but have not figured out yet, posted something in the health section to learn more, on pepcid ac and prebiotics)
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
They are eating Evo ferret food, and some wellness grain free chicken cat food. Started to add some raw chicken (ground up)
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I would like to switch to a raw diet that consists of whole prey, including some bones and flesh.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
Have read that it is better for ferrets so they dont get all those fruits and veggies that are in ALL ferret foods... This is also something that I want to try to see if it will help my sick guy, champ.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
I work at a natural pet food store and we sell raw food. But we only see ground up meat we do not sell whole prey. I was also researching on line last night and reading good success stories about a raw diet.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
Riku - around 1.5 lbs, might be a little overweight but has good muscle tone and very active
Moose- about 2.6 but might be a little more now. He is a tad overweight, still active and can run around and can keep up with Riku, good muscle tone.
Champ - is 1.6lbs He is underweight and has very little muscle mass.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
They all have pretty healthy teeth a little bit of plaque on the back teeth
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
Riku - very soft, Champaign coloring
Moose- soft, full coat, getting grey hair on tail and lower half of body, sable
Champ - a little thin, not in the best condition because he is not eating that well. He is a champaign.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
Riku - normal amount, when she gets up and sometimes while a wake
Moose - same as riku
Champ - goes pee when he gets and after he eats, poops sometimes when up
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
They all kind of have stinky poo. Champ has a little more odor to it.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Riku and champ not that strong. Moose has a little stronger 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?
Riku - 10
Moose - 7-8
champ - 2
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Riku - pretty excited
Moose - really excited he loves to eat
Champ - sometimes eat the dry but really likes his wellness
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
Yes trying to mix a little raw food in with their wet food.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
Basically I just want my ferrets to be healthier. I want moose to loose a little weight and want to get champ back up and running and feeling better.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
kind of confused on how to upload pics but hopefully have some up soon.
17.
a.) Do you understand that by starting this thread you commit to posting updates on the progress of your ferret(s) diet switch at least 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 safety 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 3 ferrets. Riku (about 1 year old, healthy), Moose (thinking about 2.5 years, healthy but a little chubby), Champ (about 2.5 years, Skinny and trying to get weight on, has a hard time walking because has no muscle mass, think it is ulcers but have not figured out yet, posted something in the health section to learn more, on pepcid ac and prebiotics)
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
They are eating Evo ferret food, and some wellness grain free chicken cat food. Started to add some raw chicken (ground up)
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I would like to switch to a raw diet that consists of whole prey, including some bones and flesh.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
Have read that it is better for ferrets so they dont get all those fruits and veggies that are in ALL ferret foods... This is also something that I want to try to see if it will help my sick guy, champ.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
I work at a natural pet food store and we sell raw food. But we only see ground up meat we do not sell whole prey. I was also researching on line last night and reading good success stories about a raw diet.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
Riku - around 1.5 lbs, might be a little overweight but has good muscle tone and very active
Moose- about 2.6 but might be a little more now. He is a tad overweight, still active and can run around and can keep up with Riku, good muscle tone.
Champ - is 1.6lbs He is underweight and has very little muscle mass.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
They all have pretty healthy teeth a little bit of plaque on the back teeth
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
Riku - very soft, Champaign coloring
Moose- soft, full coat, getting grey hair on tail and lower half of body, sable
Champ - a little thin, not in the best condition because he is not eating that well. He is a champaign.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
Riku - normal amount, when she gets up and sometimes while a wake
Moose - same as riku
Champ - goes pee when he gets and after he eats, poops sometimes when up
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
They all kind of have stinky poo. Champ has a little more odor to it.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Riku and champ not that strong. Moose has a little stronger 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?
Riku - 10
Moose - 7-8
champ - 2
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Riku - pretty excited
Moose - really excited he loves to eat
Champ - sometimes eat the dry but really likes his wellness
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
Yes trying to mix a little raw food in with their wet food.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
Basically I just want my ferrets to be healthier. I want moose to loose a little weight and want to get champ back up and running and feeling better.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
kind of confused on how to upload pics but hopefully have some up soon.
17.
a.) Do you understand that by starting this thread you commit to posting updates on the progress of your ferret(s) diet switch at least 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 safety 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.