Post by oilsoaked on May 17, 2009 12:09:44 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)?
Mr. Mxxyzpdlk, aka Mixxy Mixxy is just about a year old and is our alpha male. He's got a clean bill of health other than ear mites, which is he is being treated for along with the other kids. Every since we got him at 4 months old, he has been the absolute HARDEST to introduce any treat whatsoever. The only things he'll eat other than his Marshall's kibble, is Marshall's Vite and Lax and soda (we don't give this to him!!! he will try like crazy to get to Arizona Green Tea and any kind of soda, so we have to be super careful to not have anything out when he's around!!!) None of my ferrets like FerretTone!
Bobo Bobo, we were told that he was the same age as Mixxy and Charlie, but I believe that Bobo's a bit older. I'd put him at about a year and some change, maybe it's only a few months. He is also being treated for mites.
Charlie Brown Charlie is also about a year old, this late May, and he's, we believe, deaf. Absolutely adorable, and a love muffin. Also being treated for mites. He's usually the first to try a new treat or a new food.
Loki Loki is our newest, he's about 6 months old. Lot's of energy, also treated for this horrible mite breakout. He seems to be a little bit overweight right now.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
They're currently eating Marshalls Ferret Kibble, and they enjoy their Ferretlax and ferretvite. I'll occasionally give them a bit of apple for hydration and smooth peanut butter as a treat on occasion.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I would like to switch to a frankenprey diet. I want to feed them raw, but I'm not comfortable with whole prey at this time.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
I believe that it is a healthier choice and will improve their quality of life. I think that the kibble is crap, and my vet recommended a switch, because Mixxy gets a little gassy.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
Before we got our lovely carpetsharks, we did a lot of research; on the web, reading Kim Schillings books, etc. We agree that a raw diet is the best diet, we just never got around to it. (bad ferrent!) The last we went to the vet was when we were told that a natural diet would be better for them, so I wanna give this a go.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
I don't know exactly how much they weigh; the last vet visit said they were all in a good place. Charlie, Mixxy and Bobo have fantastic muscle tone (they do a LOT of climbing and burrowing), but Loki is looking a little flabby.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
All four have healthy pink gums and and good strong teeth; Loki's front teeth are a little crooked.
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
All of their coats are very soft and smooth.
Mixxy: Is silvery, currently rocking a mottled greyish silver coat. He just shed and he shed a lot so he's got mostly just the soft greyish bluish silverish whitish undercoat at the moment.
Charlie: His coat is a very rich and deep chocolate, but he's not hooded.
Bobo: Soft and silky, albino
Loki: Panda with chocolatey sabley color. His hairs a bit coarser right now, and the darker colors are getting lighter.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
They're all very regular. They poop after waking up every time, nobody seems to be constipated or have diarrhea.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
Very stinky.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
It's hard to tell for me. They smell like my ferrets smell. I'd say medium to strongish?
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Mixxy-8
Bobo - 6
Charlie - 9
Loki- 10
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Not very. They all eat, but not with gusto.
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
No, I have not.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
Bobo:
Charlie:
Loki:
Mixxy:
Charlie and Mixxy:
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, and in the month of July/August I will be moving and attempting to establish internet, so be aware that my connection will be sketchy at best. Happy to trade numbers.
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
Mr. Mxxyzpdlk, aka Mixxy Mixxy is just about a year old and is our alpha male. He's got a clean bill of health other than ear mites, which is he is being treated for along with the other kids. Every since we got him at 4 months old, he has been the absolute HARDEST to introduce any treat whatsoever. The only things he'll eat other than his Marshall's kibble, is Marshall's Vite and Lax and soda (we don't give this to him!!! he will try like crazy to get to Arizona Green Tea and any kind of soda, so we have to be super careful to not have anything out when he's around!!!) None of my ferrets like FerretTone!
Bobo Bobo, we were told that he was the same age as Mixxy and Charlie, but I believe that Bobo's a bit older. I'd put him at about a year and some change, maybe it's only a few months. He is also being treated for mites.
Charlie Brown Charlie is also about a year old, this late May, and he's, we believe, deaf. Absolutely adorable, and a love muffin. Also being treated for mites. He's usually the first to try a new treat or a new food.
Loki Loki is our newest, he's about 6 months old. Lot's of energy, also treated for this horrible mite breakout. He seems to be a little bit overweight right now.
2. What are your ferrets currently eating? Include their main diet, plus any treats or supplements (such as duk soup).
They're currently eating Marshalls Ferret Kibble, and they enjoy their Ferretlax and ferretvite. I'll occasionally give them a bit of apple for hydration and smooth peanut butter as a treat on occasion.
3. What kind of diet do you want to switch to?
I would like to switch to a frankenprey diet. I want to feed them raw, but I'm not comfortable with whole prey at this time.
4. Why do you want to switch to this more natural diet?
I believe that it is a healthier choice and will improve their quality of life. I think that the kibble is crap, and my vet recommended a switch, because Mixxy gets a little gassy.
5. Where/what/who got you interested in natural diets?
Before we got our lovely carpetsharks, we did a lot of research; on the web, reading Kim Schillings books, etc. We agree that a raw diet is the best diet, we just never got around to it. (bad ferrent!) The last we went to the vet was when we were told that a natural diet would be better for them, so I wanna give this a go.
6. Please list the current weight for your ferret(s). Do they appear overweight? Underweight? How is there muscle tone?
I don't know exactly how much they weigh; the last vet visit said they were all in a good place. Charlie, Mixxy and Bobo have fantastic muscle tone (they do a LOT of climbing and burrowing), but Loki is looking a little flabby.
7. What is the condition of your ferret's teeth/gums? (can you get a picture?)
All four have healthy pink gums and and good strong teeth; Loki's front teeth are a little crooked.
8. Describe the texture/color of your ferrets coat.
All of their coats are very soft and smooth.
Mixxy: Is silvery, currently rocking a mottled greyish silver coat. He just shed and he shed a lot so he's got mostly just the soft greyish bluish silverish whitish undercoat at the moment.
Charlie: His coat is a very rich and deep chocolate, but he's not hooded.
Bobo: Soft and silky, albino
Loki: Panda with chocolatey sabley color. His hairs a bit coarser right now, and the darker colors are getting lighter.
9. How often does your ferret go to the bathroom?
They're all very regular. They poop after waking up every time, nobody seems to be constipated or have diarrhea.
10. Does your ferret's feces and/or urine smell?
Very stinky.
11. Smell your ferret. How strong is their odor?
It's hard to tell for me. They smell like my ferrets smell. I'd say medium to strongish?
12. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being completely lethargic and 10 being "through the roof!" what is your ferret's energy level?
Mixxy-8
Bobo - 6
Charlie - 9
Loki- 10
13. How excited is your ferret about meal time (when fed kibble)?
Not very. They all eat, but not with gusto.
14. Have you attempted to switch from kibble to a natural diet in the past? If so, what methods have you tried. Be specific.
No, I have not.
15. What other information about your ferret(s) would you like to share?
16. If you can, please post a clear photograph of EACH of your ferrets directly below:
Bobo:
Charlie:
Loki:
Mixxy:
Charlie and Mixxy:
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, and in the month of July/August I will be moving and attempting to establish internet, so be aware that my connection will be sketchy at best. Happy to trade numbers.
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