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Post by ccretarolo on Jan 8, 2010 0:26:54 GMT -5
It would be best to keep each protein by itself at this point. This way you can isolate the problem if he reacts badly (digestion issues or vomiting are the most common symptoms) to any protein source. At a later date when you know how he handles each type of meat, you can feel free to mix protein sources however you like.
I would also suggest trying to get him to eat some small pieces of bone in meat. It might take some prodding but it's actually gnawing on bone that provides the dental benefits.
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Post by michelle on Jan 8, 2010 21:30:29 GMT -5
I haven't ventured into bones on my own yet. Luckily the S&C patties have bones, which I'll hear him crunch. I want to look into finding a butcher who will grounded up a whole chicken (bones included). My blender will not be able to handle the bones on its own.
I just picked up a package of "Beef Round Sandwich Steak." Is this an acceptable meat to try?
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 8, 2010 22:36:36 GMT -5
Anything you can name as meat is just fine As long as it's not altered(ie: smoked, spiced, etc.). Since they do so well on the soups, and the raw S&C, why not try them on some chicken thigh chunks? Just cut small, but it will start them on their way to gnoshing on necks and wings, which will provide tremendous dental and psychological benefits?
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Post by michelle on Jan 9, 2010 0:08:52 GMT -5
I think I need to prepare myself for the chicken thigh chunks and the idea of them gnoshing on necks and wings! hahaha. I've been feeding kibble and (cooked chicken) soup to ferrets for years, I need to alter my mindset. Everything is so new to me and I keep second guessing if I'm making the right choice. However, I know the importance of ferret dental care and can't keep my paranoia at bay for too long.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 9, 2010 1:42:42 GMT -5
Do me a favour? Read through this: www.rawfed.com/myths/Yes, it's geared toward dogs, but ferrets are even more of a carnivore than a dog. It might help set your mind at rest.
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Post by michelle on Jan 10, 2010 19:02:13 GMT -5
It's no so much questioning if raw diets are healthy for animals, but I question if I am doing it right. For example: how do I make sure I'm feeding the right foods, if he's getting enough meds. The idea of feeding bones from my grinding of food or straight worries me greatly.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 10, 2010 22:27:11 GMT -5
I think I get you! You're worried about the correct balance, and about the actual feeding of bone. They really do need the bone, not just for the calcium, but for all the trace minerals they get in them. As well as the dental health. Their teeth, jaws, and digestive system developed to be able to handle bone. That's how dogs, cats, and ferrets eat whole prey, with no problems! Have you checked out this thread: holisticferret.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=raw&action=display&thread=4242The link is in the first post. Basic schedule for meat/bone/organ ratio is balanced over the course of a week. 4 days bone in meats(bone and all), 2 days muscle meats, one meal organ meats, other meal either bone or muscle. I usually give a bone meal following the liver. If this is what you're even asking
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Post by michelle on Jan 10, 2010 23:05:02 GMT -5
Thats pretty much exactly what I'm asking. Hahaha! I also question what the right meats are and such (as you already know... hehehe). He gets these terrible night tremors... I'm sure they're just nightmares because when he's up, he's more than fine. But, being paranoid me, I link the new diet to his sleep trembles.
Thanks for the break down!! Right now I have Logan on 2 S&C patties (a chicken frozen one and a duck freezed dried), blended chicken breast and blended beef. The S&C patties have bones in them, but I'm sure he needs more in his diet. I also need to introduce organ meats. He seems to be taking to the texture of raw grounded meats quite well and the freeze-dried patties need to be moisten or he'll dunk the pieces of patties in the water dish himself.
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Post by Lynxie on Jan 10, 2010 23:17:45 GMT -5
Ferrets can have any unaltered (smoked, spiced, etc.) you can think of! Chicken, beef, pork, turkey, lamb, veal, goat, venison, mice, rabbits, and so on and so on!
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Post by michelle on Jan 12, 2010 10:13:49 GMT -5
Logan cut down his eating in half yesterday and had the world's most disgusting, mucus-y poop this morning. He's acting normal, but I'll just keep an eye on him to see how things go. I attempted a chicken liver yesterday which ended up in the litterbox. Today's beef patty breakfast ended up in the literbox also, and he hasn't touched his S&C freeze dried patty. He might simply have a belly ache, he is squinting his eyes as if he is in a little discomfort... but with all the eating he was doing I wouldn't be surprised if his belly aches.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 12, 2010 23:35:56 GMT -5
Funky poops aren't all that unusual during a diet switch of any kind, including raw. I did find, though, that they had a LOT of hair go through when they started fresh raw, and it all came out in mucousy poops. Yeah, if he overdid it, he'll have a belly ache. You should have seen Lucrezia first time I fed her smelts. Poor girl looked positively green! Hey- I'd always been told ferrets wouldn't overeat. Yeah! Right! She threw up several times, and just lay in her hammy looking ill, poor baby.
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