Hello from WA

[ferretrunner]

Hi everyone!

I am currently the ferrant to three beloved little furkids: Lady Tosca, Koda Bear, and Taliesin. I belong to a few other ferret forums and have read the threads about raw diet. I am considering switching my crew (or trying to) over to raw. I don't know enough yet to make that decision. I know it can be challenging to ensure the ferrets get the proper balance of nutrients feeding raw; there has to be a mix of various types of meats like organ, bone, etc. I have no idea how to pursue making sure the diet would be right. Taliesin is very finicky and I'm not sure he'd even try raw. It took me three months to get him to lick the new duck soup off my finger. And another two weeks before he'd eat it. The other two took right to it! The other concern I have is travel. I ocassionally have to leave the furkids in care of ferret/house sitters. I'm not sure I could convince them to "mess" with raw food.

My mind is open to the possibilty of switching them over. In the long run, I really do want to make the best decision for their health.

About me: I am a social worker at the VA and a commissioned officer in the Army Reserve (Combat Stress Control). For fun, I run marathons and play with my ferrets.

And the "best part" now: the pictures!


Taliesin


Koda Bear


Lady Tosca

My parents' mini-Schnauzer. She's not mine, but this picture is just too cute not to share.



Contessa D'Angel (Tess)

[rarnold18]

Welcome to the forum! I just recently switched my two newest fuzzes to raw with in the last two weeks...my other two were switched back in August. I've only been a ferrent for 5 months and they have totally taken over! I love it! The other ferrents here are awesome and have tons of info and will answer any question..my latest question was about the Christmas tree and if there were any dangers for the ferrets associated with it.

[ccretarolo]

For pet sitting, you could get freeze dried raw. It can be either served as-is or soaked in water for a raw mush. It's also a great base for soups and is completely balanced. When I was with my ex, it was simple to just have him soak the freeze dried patties before feeding them. And if he could get it, anyone can .

As for getting the right balance, it's pretty simple once you get them switched over. 4 days of bone in meats, 2 days of boneless meat, and 1 organ day. Trying to balance a raw diet daily is what's complicated so most of us just balance over the week. The meat/bone/organ balance also has to be given in a variety. The rule seems to be at least 3 different protein sources. I personally give chicken, duck, pork, beef, and the occasional rabbit as the bulk of my boys' diet. I also give frozen/thawed mice to my youngest boy every once in a while if it seems like his digestive system needs to be cleaned out.

As for the initial switch, I prefer to use soups to get them started out. At first, it can be a mix of your current soup with a small amount of raw meat and gradually built up to a thin raw soup. and during the switch, don't worry too much about the balance or variety. It's more important that they accept raw as food at that point.

[sherrylynne]

Hi ferretrunner, and welcome to Holistic Ferrets ! You're right in that you can't just toss down a few pieces of meat and think that will be enough. But it's really not that complicated. That's also why we have mentors here, to ensure your babies are getting everything they need in their diet.
And the way you got Taliesan on the soups? That's likely the best way to get him on a raw soup to start!
Please feel free to browse around, ask questions, and check out some of the switching threads. They'll give you some ideas on how to go about it.
As for travel, once they are on a raw diet, you can go the freeze dried route, or simply have baggies portioned and labeled, and all anyone has to do is toss a couple bags in the fridge a day, and them dump it out onto a dish and put it in the cage for them