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Post by malestryx on Aug 17, 2009 15:00:23 GMT -5
I was wondering. Is it better to feed a Ferret whole prey or manufactured food? I have done plenty of research online and I have heard arguments from both sides.
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Post by sherrylynne on Aug 17, 2009 19:22:46 GMT -5
The ideal diet would hands down be whole prey. Each and every meal is totally balanced, and the fur/feathers "cleans" out the digestive system as it passes through. There are no questions as to whether or not they are getting what they need. That's not to say that a ferret won't do well on commercial raw, as long as it's a good quality one. On the other hand, if you're referring to kibbles, that really isn't the best for them by any stretch of the imagination. Any animal strictly on kibble usually borders on dehydration, simply because it's so dry. All nutrients are cooked out of it, which is why you see so many chemical names on the ingredient labels. They all have to be added back in. And there have been many recalls based on these pre-mixed chemicals. The most recent that comes to mind is zinc toxicity. Also, ferrets are obligate carnivores. They don't process the grains, veg., and fruits that are always added in. That's why the litter boxes always have so much more in them. It's all those fruits, veg., and grains. Here's a really good link about diet and health: holisticferret.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talking&action=display&thread=3097
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Post by malestryx on Aug 19, 2009 7:36:44 GMT -5
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Post by sherrylynne on Aug 19, 2009 9:27:23 GMT -5
Wysong's Archetypal 1 is a freeze dried raw . Yes, they would do well on that, but would still benefit from having things like wings and necks for chewing, and for dental health.
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Post by malestryx on Aug 19, 2009 9:56:23 GMT -5
Sounds good. Like I stated, I haven't purchased a Ferret yet, but I am doing as much research as I can do. I think it is very important to know what exactly I am getting into. So you are also recommending some sort of chew toy also?
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Post by Heather on Aug 19, 2009 12:56:42 GMT -5
Not really, any toys that ferrets will chew on will probably be made of rubber (a fatal pleasure for ferrets that's why you have to watch for disappearing controllers, game controllers, ipods, ear phones, cell phones...mine disappeared for 2 weeks and when finally found was missing some key chewy components... ) There are things like foamy fries and chewie sticks (or something like that , I can get the foamy fries but have never seen the chew sticks)... What I offer my guys is raw wings or chicken legs, rabbit ears...things like that Actually my guys would far rather chew on a mouse than anything else but I have to offer variety and the little sods are just going to have to put up with it . Yesterday, they got to chew on rats...dinner and toy all in one ciao
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Post by sherrylynne on Aug 19, 2009 13:55:42 GMT -5
The chewing can help relieve stress, boredom(a chicken neck is far better than their bedding!), teething issues in the young, as well as acting like a natural toothbrush. Before transitioning mine to raw, Vincent was definitely looking at a dental scraping to remove the tarter. 4 months after switching, there's not a bit left on his teeth. The vet was surprised. And that was from eating raw bone!
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Post by malestryx on Aug 20, 2009 7:06:49 GMT -5
Sounds good. Thank you both for your input.
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