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Post by konotashi on Dec 15, 2009 23:11:56 GMT -5
When I first got Tesla, he was on kibble so he drank a ton. But now that he's on raw, he hardly drinks at all. I check the water bottle regularly to make sure it's not leaking, and it's functional - he just doesn't drink. Does he get enough water to keep him hydrated from the raw meat, or should I be concerned?
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Post by Heather on Dec 15, 2009 23:30:56 GMT -5
Your observations are correct  . On raw they drink very little. I will make a suggestion, though. Ferrets do not drink well out of a bottle, I know people use them and they're an easy fix to a ferret's curiosity and predisposition to not allow water to stay in one place  but they don't drink enough out of them. Get yourself a water bowl that is either weighted or attaches to the side of the cage. It's so much healthier for for your little one and he will drink more. Just my opinion of course ciao |
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Post by tiggyeaj on Dec 15, 2009 23:38:58 GMT -5
I've wondered the same thing. I keep a close eye on Muddy's water intake from her bottle, but she doesn't drink much. However she seems well hydrated--she's still active, she 'passes' the skin pinch test, and she's still urinating. I'm guessing she gets a good portion of her water from her meat. Having just finished reading my the chapters covering water, salt, and excretion in my animal physiology books, I have a few guesses. The kidneys help regulate not only blood volume, but also the composition of the blood (i.e. the concentrations of blood plasma, sodium, chloride, etc). Urine may become highly concentrated to conserve water (I'm guessing you would find this in kibble fed ferts). Raw diets, being more biologically appropriate, allow ferts to better balance water and salts in their systems. Basically they become more efficient in their use of water,decreasing their need. Did this make any sort of sense? I hope so, I have an exam in 11 hours! |
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Post by konotashi on Dec 15, 2009 23:43:49 GMT -5
That makes sense.  I know he's peeing because the litter I use is Feline Pine, and it dissolves (I guess that's what you'd call it) when it gets wet. Plus he pees on my floor, because I can't stand seeing his pitiful, "Let me out to plaaay!" face when I wait for him to potty before letting him out. So I just let him out to play and deal with the mess later. |
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Post by Heather on Dec 16, 2009 0:22:16 GMT -5
What you say makes perfect sense ;D Which would also make sense when you start to see these problems crop up in older ferrets who are in renal failure. Loki has lost the ability to concentrate his urine (it's totally clear now) and he drinks a lot more. This has also created other issues too but they're all interconnected. Good luck on your exams, let us know how you do  I'm sure you will do fantastic ciao |
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Post by b2dg3r on Dec 18, 2009 16:02:50 GMT -5
If you are worried about him not drinking enough, check to see if he is dehydrated. Pinch the skin on his sruff and release it. If it snaps back he's not dehyrdated. If it stays peaked or is slow to return to normal he is dehyrated and you should be concerned.
Hope that helps!
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Post by spiritualtramp on Dec 24, 2009 13:53:35 GMT -5
The skin pinch is actually not a very accurate way to test hydration --- most even somewhat dehydrated ferrets will pass that. A better method is to rub their gums - if they aren't slick with saliva, they could be dehydrated. That's mostly an aside, really.
I would recommend getting bowls, or locking crocks. I find my kids don't really drink a lot either way, but with the bowls they occasionally have a fun time snorkling or digging the water, which they always try to drink up after doing because what creature doesn't love drinking water off the ground?? Even if they don't need that extra bit of H2O they're intaking through those brief games, it doesn't hurt, so I encourage it.
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Post by zoologist on Dec 29, 2009 12:42:41 GMT -5
gonna steal this thread for a sec i've noticed that Chewey has slowed down a little bit on his drinking but it seems like he is peeing A LOT more. is this normal? |
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Post by weloveourweasels on Dec 29, 2009 15:25:26 GMT -5
Perfectly normal. It is because when he was on kibble he was borderline dehydrated all the time (every kibble fed ferret is on the verge of being dehydrated). Ferrets are meant to get most of their water from their food and they will drink very little to no water when eating a raw meal. Since they are actually being hydrated during mealtime their bodies produce more urine until their bodies adjust.
I was very concerned about this as well last year when I first tried to switch Rolo, Loki and Mr. Bean. I made a thread and posted here with a pic (since deleted) of their litterbox where half of the box was completely urine soaked overnight. I had to completely empty the litterboxes daily and refill. The switch didn't go well because I didn't have the knowledge then that I do now so I stopped and decided the best I could do was supplement with raw soups.
This time around with 4 instead of 3 there was even more urine and I have been going through A LOT of litter. Around 65 lbs a month. Now that it has been 2 1/2 months since they were switched cold turkey I am finally seeing a slow down where their bodies are able to absorb the water more efficiently. I have only used 50 lbs of litter this month and there is still about 3 lbs left in the 2nd bag. When I fed them kibble I only had to buy 2 bags but when I switched to raw I would end up running out 2 weeks before the month was over. So this month I bought 3 bags. Thankfully I haven't had to use the 3rd so that is 1 less bag I have to buy next month.
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 29, 2009 21:08:21 GMT -5
50 POUNDS of litter??? Wow! I know mine are used to raw now- but I don't think I go through that much in 2 months with 9  |
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Post by weloveourweasels on Dec 30, 2009 23:55:45 GMT -5
Yup 50 lbs. It only cost $20 per month for all of it so thats a good thing. I forgot to mention I also have rats that use the litter as well. They have a small corner litterbox that gets changed every 4 days.
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