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Post by crazyferret17 on Jun 13, 2010 14:58:12 GMT -5
Ok so I am switching my fuzzies to raw they are already picking it up and lovin it. YAY. So last time I I tried to switch my fuzzies to raw my main concern was them not getting a balanced nutrition. I have gotten them on a raw food that is made locally called Natural Pet Pantry and in the at food they have turkey and chicken. The ingredients are for the turkey (turkey, turkey hearts, liver, egg yolks, calcium citrate, kelp, salmon oil, vitamin-complex, and psyllium). And the guarenteed analysis is (19.7 % protein, 4.2 % fat, 1% fiber, 75.4% moisture, 74mg/100grams taurine, 572 kcal/lb). I was wondering what you guys thought of the food and if I should be adding any other supplement. right now I have dry food out all day and I am giving them about 2oz a day of the raw and mixing a little bit of high quality caned food in with the raw. Please let me know what you think and any suggestions to improve their diet.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jun 13, 2010 23:31:04 GMT -5
Since I can't find their product ingredient listing, including approx. percentages, I really can't say. I do know from their page they do not include bone in it, which they need. Calcium can do over the short term, but they need the other trace minerals bone would contain. Have you thought about something like Nature's Variety? Any product with meat/bone/organ as the majority of ingredients, with veg. matter kept to about 5% would be good. Since they are picking up the raw so quickly, why not give them what you have for breakfast, and things like chicken wings/necks at night? That way, you have an easy supply of what you can pick up, they get the bone they need, as well as the exercise and stimulation of chewing it, as well as the dental benefits. Then you can ditch the kibble entirely! Almost forgot You also need to give minimum of three different proteins as well. But the more variety you can give them, the better.
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Post by crazyferret17 on Jun 14, 2010 2:08:25 GMT -5
When I tried to switch them over earlier when I started on the forum I was giving then some of their dog food which contains bone in it but the only thing that I got worried about was the size of the bone fragments and one got stuck in Riku's roof of her mouth. The only thing that worries me about the natures variety is that it is made for both dogs and cats and they do not have the same nutritional needs. I guess the one thing that I am still having a hard time with is giving them the proper nutrition and supplements they need to stay healthy, and I am not exactly what that entails ie amount of taurine, vitamins, minerals, and a good protein and fat amount. I also provided the exact ingredients and guaranteed analysis in my previous post.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jun 14, 2010 11:37:42 GMT -5
Unfortunately, we can't list precise amounts of everything a ferret needs in it's diet. It's all guesstimates, since no real studies have been done. A ferret's diet is generally based on a cats. We know they are obligate carnivores, and cannot digest grains/fruits/veg. matter, even though trace amounts of veg. matter does appear to help, as it imitates the non- digestibles they'd get from their prey, such as fur/teeth/claws, etc. We assume, based on experience, that they need a minimum of three proteins, preferably more, to meet minimum dietary needs. Each protein they eat brings a different balance of minerals, amino acids, vitamins, etc. So- the more, the better. We also assume that they need bone with the trace minerals, since if they don't have that, they develop weak bones, nails, etc., themselves. As well as extremely loose stools. And the trace minerals in the bone/marrow also will help boost motor and neurological function, along with liver. Each ferret is different, but overall experience has shown that the minimum required proteins, with a balance of bone/organ, serves to keep your ferret healthy, happy, energetic, and helps them recover quickly from injuries, and gives them far more reserves in case of illness. The general guideline(which a good number of commercial raw providers meet) is 70%- 80% muscle meat, 10%- 20% bone, and approx 5% liver. Which mimics whole prey in it's entirety, as closely as we are able to. On a commercial raw with bone in, or franken-prey, your ferret has all his needs met, you don't need to worry about that. We've all got ferrets who've been on this diet (for many, many years for some), with only extremely positive results to show for it. They will get bone stuck sometimes. 99.9% of the time, they are finally able to dislodge it themselves if given the time to do so. Yes, I have had to do this for mine a couple of times. I've also had some choking episodes. But then- I had the same thing happen to them on kibble, and I KNOW the raw is the much healthier of the two. Be it commercial or RMB's.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jun 14, 2010 11:42:22 GMT -5
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