Post by sofaltis on Feb 1, 2010 23:12:11 GMT -5
First, thank you all for such an amazing resource! I've been spending days reading up trying not to ask redundant questions since I'm so new to natural feeding (but of course, I'm all for it!). Now, my still unnamed little ferret girl is happily munching away on raw chicken, but I have a few questions:
First, I know it's not unusual for them to pee a lot more once they start eating raw, and that they might get a little more tired. How long does the tiredness last before I begin to worry? She basically slept most of yesterday and today (even when I woke her up, she'd crawl right back into to her hut to sleep after five or so minutes). She's more active tonight, and even stole a chicken bone! While I'm so very proud of my little carnivore, how often can I give her bones? Not as a main meal, but can I try and make sure she has some to nibble on?
Also, also, does anyone have any tips on moving on to the next meat, like: how long should I wait before introducing pork for example, or rabbit? Should I mince the new meat and mix it with the chicken hunks, or just start slipping equal size bits of the the new meat in together, or go cold turkey? Since I also want to start feeding whole prey at some point, is there a good time within the transition to get her used to it? Are pinkies the best way, or any other suggestions?
For a while she didn't like ferretone but now it's crack to her. I know the bottle says to supplement daily, but if she does get a completely balanced raw diet, is that still necessary, or should it be more like a twice weekly/treat/sit still so I can trim your claws thing?
I'm sure I'll have lots more questions after I've had her longer than a week (and once she gets a permanent name) but any initial help on these would be great!
First, I know it's not unusual for them to pee a lot more once they start eating raw, and that they might get a little more tired. How long does the tiredness last before I begin to worry? She basically slept most of yesterday and today (even when I woke her up, she'd crawl right back into to her hut to sleep after five or so minutes). She's more active tonight, and even stole a chicken bone! While I'm so very proud of my little carnivore, how often can I give her bones? Not as a main meal, but can I try and make sure she has some to nibble on?
Also, also, does anyone have any tips on moving on to the next meat, like: how long should I wait before introducing pork for example, or rabbit? Should I mince the new meat and mix it with the chicken hunks, or just start slipping equal size bits of the the new meat in together, or go cold turkey? Since I also want to start feeding whole prey at some point, is there a good time within the transition to get her used to it? Are pinkies the best way, or any other suggestions?
For a while she didn't like ferretone but now it's crack to her. I know the bottle says to supplement daily, but if she does get a completely balanced raw diet, is that still necessary, or should it be more like a twice weekly/treat/sit still so I can trim your claws thing?
I'm sure I'll have lots more questions after I've had her longer than a week (and once she gets a permanent name) but any initial help on these would be great!