Why All the Poop?

[luci]

I assume this is diet related, so I hope this fits in this category.

Today is organ soup day. Cats and ferret got beef kidney today. Soup includes: beef kidney, chicken baby food, squash purée, egg, fish oil and a teeny pinch of probiotic powder. Everyone ate at 5pm and in 6 hours Fierra has pooped fives times. And it just doesn't seem like there should be so much poop! Now she is packing away food like it's going out of style around here just like a proper Minnesota ferret heading into winter should be, but I think this kidney soup cleaned her out like an enema! What do you think? She's being lazy today, but she was bouncing off the walls yesterday. That's her routine... one day totally crazy and then she eats herself silly and sleeps a lot the next day. Do you think I've upset her tummy? She's eaten this before without issue. And this isn't even the first chunk I've fed off this kidney. I always make up their soups fresh on organ days.

[sherrylynne]

Mine will frequently poop more on organ days, simply because their stool is looser than it would be otherwise. And because she's gearing up for winter(I'd forgotten just how much they can put away!), she's got more going in- so more coming out

[spiritualtramp]

I'm with Sherry - plus squash can make some pretty dramatic additions to the 'clearing out' of the bowels. My guess is it's a combo of a few factors, but I know mine poop more on organ days, too, mostly because it's more loose.

[luci]

I'm sure you're right. I guess since it's been a year I'd forgotten just how much more these tiny creatures can eat when it gets colder. I have had to take extra meals out of the freezer every day for her. I know there's always more poop on organ days, but this seemed excessive. But now that I think more on it, it is in proportion to how much she's eating.

Thanks for easing my mind!

[sherrylynne]

Mine are in full winter mode now, and actually eating twice the amount they do in the summer months. Literally!

[justahannah]

Not trying to hijack, but I've seen a few references to feeding squash or pumpkin to firm up the stool... My kids are still new to this meat thing, and poos are pretty runny since I've cut down on the amount of kibble. I can't find a ratio or percentage that would be safe to add and how often to include it, so I'm thinking that would be good to know before I try it. Thanks!

[luci]

Go ahead and try to sneak in a half teaspoon or so and see if that helps. You can try a bit more if you need to.

What we're doing in adding pumpkin or squash purée (make absolutely sure there are no spices added if you'll be buying canned instead of making your own!) is adding a source of insoluble fiber. The fur and feathers of whole prey would otherwise fill this need.