Fasting Day?

[weloveourweasels]

I remember reading a year or so back on here that some people would do a fasting day once a week I believe. Does anyone do this?

[Forum Administrator]

I do it with my dog but not with my ferrets. I guess in theory you could do it with your ferts, but, and this is a big but they MUST NOT be insulinomic or suspected insulinomic. Plus, you'll probably have some pretty p*ssed off fuzzys if you choose to do a 24 hour fast. Maybe for a ferret a 12 hour fast would be better? Just because their digestive tract is so short. Also, in the winter while ferts are gaining weight I wouldnt even do a 12 hour fast. I'd wait until after january and then through august but stop in september-January when most ferts are packing on their winter weight.

[tss]

Do what you are comfortable with.. I know in the UK most ferrets are only fed every other day, and I will admit. I have accidently went a day without feeding my ferrets. But it isn't something I'd do all the time. Winter time is actually when they would naturally eat less often, prey would be more scarce when it is colder out. This is one reason that ferrets put on winter weight, not just to keep them warm.

[Heather]

Personally, I would never fast a ferret any more than I would fast a cat. Both creatures are meant to eat multiple small meals during the day (think about what they're supposed to eat...mice, rabbits, rats, small meals) Their metabolism working at a much higher rate than dogs. Dogs can eat and safely consume up to 3x or more what their normal consumption is, cats and ferrets cannot. Their systems are not geared to gluttonous meals with fasting. Dogs (wolves, coyotes) are geared to hunt in packs bring down large prey, gorge until they can barely move and then go for days without any more food. Ferret and even cats will kill and stash food for later use, but never going for long periods of time without food. Even barring this, I think with most ferrets having a certain amount of predisposition towards insulinoma and other diseases concerning their digestive system (IBD, ulcers, pica, and obstructions to name a few diseases) fasting would be not something I would enter into. This is of course just my opinion
ciao

[Forum Administrator]

Heather makes an EXCELLENT point regarding dogs's natural predisposition to gorge/fast. Where a ferret's predisposition is the stash/"graze". Personally I'd avoid fasting the ferts. Dogs okay. Ferts/cats, probably not the best idea. Can it be done? Yes. Should it be done? I'm leaning toward probably not.

[mustelidmusk]

It's normal for wild ferret to miss a day of eating. But our ferrets are accustomed to grazing.

That being said, I think the idea of "fasting" probably came from me....I do provide a "light day" once a week. On light feeding days, I feed only the freeze-dried raw, and they get less food on that day. I find that this approach keeps my ferrets more interested in food and variety.

I know that Suds has adopted this approach, and he has found the same results. I *think* SherryLynne was providing a lighter feeding day as well?? It really seems to help a lot of ferrrets
from getting spoiled and picky about their meals.

Most people that are doing this provide freeze-dried food daily for snacking. If you are feeding 2 meals a day with nothing in between, the "light day" may not have the impact it has when snacking food is provided throughout the day.

I wouldn't recommend skipping an ntire day of food because our ferrets do not have the option to hunt if they need to eat.

-jennifer

[sherrylynne]

I do provide for one "light" day a week. Mainly so 1) They'll actually EAT the liver/organs! and 2), it gives them a chance to clean up any stash spots I've missed!

[Heather]

I guess I'm not talking on the same page I thought we meant "fasting"...no food. Leaving them some food and to clean out their hideys is a good idea. I leave my guys to their own devises every now and then because I know that they've stashed stuff. I feed organ meat daily in the ground mix they get. I got tired of this one eating all the organ meats (super poops) and the other not eating any at all. Keeping track of 16 ferts and who's eating what can be difficult. I always know who's been to the bowl and everyone gets handled so you know who's eating. Monthly weigh in's and some more often for ferts who are high risk, that's how to keep track of general feedings but when it comes to specifics...then it gets difficult. So, rather than fight with one or two about eating their organ meat and their raw eggs, I just toss it in with their ground meat. Their soupy works well too.
ciao

[sherrylynne]

I think she was referring to a true "fast" day, like you'd do with dogs, originally. Not sure where I read it, but some info stated ferrets can suffer from the same fatty liver disease cats can get from not eating., which is the main reason I'd never do a true fast day with them. That, and hungry ferrets = cranky ferrets

[Heather]

I, too had read that somewhere, but I also read contrary reports saying that though they suffer it they also recouperate 100% whereas cats do not (suffer permanent organ damage). As the information about ferrets is really rather inconsistent, I would sooner edge my bets by treating it as a risk that is really not worth taking.
As you also point out, hungry ferrets are grumpy ferrets. The little bums can get into enough mischief without the temper tantrums ::)that result when they feel that they've been treated unfairly.
ciao

[weloveourweasels]

Thanks for the info everyone. Once they are fully switched I might make organ day a "light day"

[Forum Administrator]

Thats what I do. Its just organ, and a small rmb (to keep the poopies firm)

[spiritualtramp]

I think many of us do light days (mine happens to be organ day, too) to clean out stash spots and motivate, but I never let them skip a meal entirely. Fasting is just not wise for their tiny bodies. For ourselves? Heck I love a good fast, myself.