Post by burntmoonstone on May 1, 2009 15:53:09 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 two ferrets. Casper and Ozzy. Casper is a 3 year old neutered male, he is healthy except for a small fluid filled cyst in his abdomen. Ozzy is 2 years and about 9 months and is also a neutered male, he may have adrenal disease (is losing hair at the base of his tail).
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
They currently eat a mix of Zupreem, Totally Ferret, and 8 in 1 Ultimate kibbles as their main diet. They get duk soup occasionally and the only treat they will take is N-bones.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I want to switch them to a prey model raw diet, maybe with occasional whole prey (f/t mice…I have a snake so I have these in the freezer)
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
I want to switch them because I have seen the benefits of a raw food natural diet with my dog and want to extend them to my ferrets as well, also I am rather disgusted with the quality and ingredients that are in most kibbled foods for pets.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
Honestly I don’t really know (or remember) how I originally got started on researching and providing natural foods to my pets.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
Ozzy weighs 2 pounds 1 ounce and seems to have good muscle tone although he has always been on the slightly skinny side.
Casper weighs 2 pounds 6 ounces and also seems to have good muscle tone.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
Both of my ferrets have a little bit of plaque build up on their back teeth.
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
Casper is white but has a yellow stained stripe down his back and tail he is very soft and fluffy.
Ozzy is a sable mitt and has thin coarser hair.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
Both go probably every few (1-3) hours.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
Yes both smell.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Not intolerably strong (although I may just be immune to it)
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Casper is between a 6 and a 9 depending on the day.
Ozzy is around an 8.
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Not excited at all.
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 with the ferrets offered a piece of raw meat once as a treat they weren’t interested in it as food.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
Can’t think of anything at the moment.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
Ozzy
Casper
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
**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 two ferrets. Casper and Ozzy. Casper is a 3 year old neutered male, he is healthy except for a small fluid filled cyst in his abdomen. Ozzy is 2 years and about 9 months and is also a neutered male, he may have adrenal disease (is losing hair at the base of his tail).
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
They currently eat a mix of Zupreem, Totally Ferret, and 8 in 1 Ultimate kibbles as their main diet. They get duk soup occasionally and the only treat they will take is N-bones.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I want to switch them to a prey model raw diet, maybe with occasional whole prey (f/t mice…I have a snake so I have these in the freezer)
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
I want to switch them because I have seen the benefits of a raw food natural diet with my dog and want to extend them to my ferrets as well, also I am rather disgusted with the quality and ingredients that are in most kibbled foods for pets.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
Honestly I don’t really know (or remember) how I originally got started on researching and providing natural foods to my pets.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
Ozzy weighs 2 pounds 1 ounce and seems to have good muscle tone although he has always been on the slightly skinny side.
Casper weighs 2 pounds 6 ounces and also seems to have good muscle tone.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
Both of my ferrets have a little bit of plaque build up on their back teeth.
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
Casper is white but has a yellow stained stripe down his back and tail he is very soft and fluffy.
Ozzy is a sable mitt and has thin coarser hair.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
Both go probably every few (1-3) hours.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
Yes both smell.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
Not intolerably strong (although I may just be immune to it)
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Casper is between a 6 and a 9 depending on the day.
Ozzy is around an 8.
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Not excited at all.
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 with the ferrets offered a piece of raw meat once as a treat they weren’t interested in it as food.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
Can’t think of anything at the moment.
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
Ozzy
Casper
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
**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.