Multi-Vitamin Supplements

[Zoshi]

Hey there everybody, I was wondering if anyone on here used any multi-vitamin supplements, and if anyone could recommend any? I talked with my vet about what the ferrets are eating, and told her I supplement with Taurine and Salmon Oil, and she suggested I start supplementing with a multi-vitamin as well.

Does anyone know of any good multi-vitamins that I could make use of?

[luci]

Hi Zoshi! It's my personal belief that vets tell their customers to use supplements because of their lack of education about nutrition. As long as you're feeding a good, balanced diet you are covering your bases.

Another thing to think about (or argue with your vet about) is what are these supplementals derived from? Fruits and vegetables? Grains? Soy? None of these are appropriate in an obligate carnivore's diet.

If ever you're wondering about the vitamin and mineral content of the meats you're feeding check out the USDA web site or google: meat nutrition chart

(sorry I'd post a specific link, but the USDA site won't load for me)

[Heather]

I back Luci with this one. I've been feeding for over 10 yrs now and have only supplemented when I've a furbaby that cannot or will not eat a balanced and varied diet. At that time I researched my supplements and added from there. I only use a fish oil supplement on a regular basis because it appears to keep my guys from itching overly much. Even then I switch up brands (I have a couple that I like) so that too is varied.
ciao

[Zoshi]

Thanks Luci and Heather!
Those are all good points. I get the kids their organ meals, and they get a meal or two of Stella & Chewy's freeze dried with eggs a week, so I'm hoping they're getting a good mix there. I supplement the Taurine and the Salmon Oil because I'm never really sure how much Taurine they're getting (better safe than sorry, right?) with the amount of time some of the meats I get stay frozen.
They're steadily eating chicken, lamb, and pork, they get rabbit and the S&C's is Goose and Duck.

[luci]

Lucky kids! Sounds like you're doing a great job.

[mustelidmusk]

I tend to supplement a little more than many owners, but I do so with research and caution. The reason why I supplement is because I feed mostly commercial "processed foods" rather than whole prey. The ground foods are "disturbed meats", and I suspect the quality of the meats are not as high in quality as what I put on my dinner table.

Here are the principles that I use:
1. I try to stick to whole foods as a source of nutrition.
2. Any "commercial supplements" are "underdosed" unless there is a medical reason to supplement.
3. I discuss the specific supplements with multiple vets, including my holistic fert vet.

Here are the supplements I feel are really worthwhile:
1. salmon/fish oil
2. taurine

Other Supplements I use less religiously or periodically and "under-dosed":
1. greens (kelp, marine algae, super greens mix, etc. -these provide a source of trace mineral and antioxidents - these are fed in very small amounts)
2. reishi - anti-oxident, general immune support - (fed for a month and then withheld for a couple of weeks to keep the immune system from becoming unresponsive to the immune boost)

Nutritional Treats:
1. egg yolk (1 -2 per week for 4 ferts)
2. Velvet antler
3. heart (chicken)
4. liver
5. chicken backs or necks

The principle behind supplementing with whole foods is that things found in nature are more bio-available than isolated supplements.

Obviously, you do not NEED to do all this if you're feeding a good diet.

-jennifer

[luci]

The USDA has the worst web site ever! Here's a good one for looking up the nutritive values of meats:
www.nutritiondata.com

[cristina]

Where do you guys get your salmon or fish oil? I can only find it in capsules and its so messy and annoying to pop them and squeeze them into soups.....are there any you can get in a pump?

[spiritualtramp]

Bravo! brand commercial raw makes an Alaskan salmon oil, bottled with a nice squirter, that I am fond of. Definitely easier than the capsules, and I get it through a discount pet supply store locally that is rather cheap. Check out Bravo's website for local sellers.

[sherrylynne]

I get grizzly salmon oil in the pump bottle from a local raw feeding pet store. It's in the cat food section.

[Darlene]

How much salmon oil do you give each ferret? My guys like it,but haven't given it to them in a very long time. I had heard too much fish oil isn't good. I was giving about three drops from the capsule per ferret.

[Heather]

I give between .5 and 1 ml per ferret per day. It seems to help ease the winter itchies and keeps their coat nice. I cut back a bit during the summer but not much. I do switch between oils (more different mixes of marine fish oils)
ciao