Oliver's Raw Diet

[bigsis7]

3 Months Since the Switch- EVALUATION #1:

1. Since switching to a natural diet, what are the most noticable changes you have noticed in your ferret(s). Please be specific.

The smell!! Also he seems to be more active and he gets SO excited when it's feeding time!!

2. Have you filled out the "Natural Diet Survey"? (If not, please do by going to the following link: holisticferret.proboards80.com/in....play&thread=241)

The link didn't work...I believe I have though.

3. Please post a "sample weekly feeding schedule". Basically, give us an idea of what you feed your ferret(s) each week. This way we can review it (again) and let you know if you need to make any changes to ensure proper nutrition. Post your schedule in the following format:

MONDAY: Chicken leg
TUESDAY:Chicken thigh
WEDNESDAY:Chicken Wing
THURSDAY:Chicken leg
FRIDAY:Boneless steak/chicken
SATURDAY:Boneless steak/chicken
SUNDAY:Liver, heart, and sometimes gizzards

4. Do you have any questions or concearns regarding your ferret(s) diet?[/b]

He seems to be very picky about what he eats now...he doesn't seem to want to eat steak anymore.

5. Do you have any new "diet goals" for your ferrets that you would like us to help you with, such as: adding whole prey to the diet, diversifying the types of meat fed, or incorporating freeze-dried or commercial raw foods? If so, please specify.

Soon I hope to start adding whole prey, but right now my parents aren't up for it.

5. How was your experience with the Holistic Ferret Mentor Program? What did you like about the program? What didn't you like? What can we do to make our program better?

I loved the mentor program!! It was awesome having someone to help me along the way. What I'd change would be to have the mentor by the computer 24/7

[Forum Administrator]

Im happy to see that he's eating plenty of raw meaty bones. The becoming more picky is a bit worriesome to me though. Ideally, Oliver needs to be eating atleast 3 types of meat. He's eating chicken, so that is great, but we need to pick up two different types of meat. Perhaps he doesnt like the cut of steak you are giving. Try offering a different cut of meat. Pork and turkey are also readily available.

One way to entice Oliver to try new foods is to blend some of the new meat up in a blender and to put it on the outside of a chicken leg, wing, or thigh (kind of like a sauce or gravy). As he becomes accustomend to the taste then you can work on introducing the chunks of that meat (in the blended gravy) and then eventually feed the chunks of new meat, minus the blended topping.

Its important that we get Oliver eating a variety of foods NOW because he will only become more picky as he ages. Take advantage of what's on sale at the local grocery store. You dont have to (and shouldnt) buy the same thing each time. Sales are your friend

Over this next week or so, try and getting him eating a new meat, keep feeding chicken or some other edible raw meaty bone, but each night add a little of the new, blended up meat to the chicken.

Let me know what happens, we really need to get him eating a few more types of meat. The more variety, the lower the risk of dietary deficiency

Congrats on making it to this check up! You'll be recieving your next check up in 3 months time.

[bigsis7]

Alrighty! Thanks! I'll try to find some turkey or pork at the store and maybe a new kind of steak. I've tried 2-3 different kinds of steak, but guess they weren't good enough for him! lol! What a stinker!

[bigsis7]

OK sorry it took me a while. I'm in Florida !

1. Its been six months since you and your ferrets graduated from the Holistic Ferret Mentor Program. Are you still feeding a kibble-free, natural diet? If yes, why? If no, why?


Yes I am! I have seen SO many improvements health wise!

2. Since its been six months since you graduated from the HF Mentor Program, you are now eligable to become a Holistic Ferret Mentor. Do you have any interest in becoming a mentor? There is NO obligation. If interested, please read the following info to see if you are capable of making such a commitment to being a mentor:

Yes! Definenlty! That's why I'm a mentor in training :-D!

3. Please post a "sample weekly feeding schedule". Basically, give us an idea of what you feed your ferret(s) each week. This way we can review it (again) and let you know if you need to make any changes to ensure proper nutrition. Post your schedule in the following format:

MONDAY: Chicken legs
TUESDAY: Pig Feet
WEDNESDAY: Chicken legs
THURSDAY: Pig feet
FRIDAY: Pork
SATURDAY: Turkey
SUNDAY: Chicken and pork liver

4. Do you have any questions or concerns regarding your ferret(s) diet?

I was wondering are smoked meats ok? I want to get more turkey into Oliver's diet and all I can find is smoked turkey.

5. After switching to a natural diet I'm sure you noticed numerable changes immediately. After six months of feeding naturally, what would you say is the most notable improvement in your ferret's health?

Oh that's hard. Probably his muscle tone and growth spurt. He's grown so much and once he hit 6-7 months he sprouted! Ollie's pretty buff too!

[Forum Administrator]

Florida, huh? Must be nice lol! Hope you are having fun!

I would avoid smoked meats, a.) they are cooked (which seriously reduces nutrient quality) and b.) you never know what seasonings are on there. There isn't ANY raw turkey in the meat department in your local grocery store? Even ground turkey would be okay if thats all you can find, but I'd steer clear of the smoked varities.

I'm happy to see that they are eating pork now, for the pigs feet since they are pretty boney,I'd also feed a little raw pork meat with the feet, too much bone will make the ferts constipated

Are they still eating beef occasionally? Beef is nice and rich in iron, and its got a good fat content. I'd recommend feeding beef every now and then if you aren't any more.

I'm glad to see you are feeding a variety of liver, variety is always good. If you can access chicken gizzards/hearts at your local meat grocer or butcher that would be a great thing to add to their diet. If you can't find those things, no worries. Don't forget you can always feed egg 1 day per week (shell and all). The more variety the better, but be sure to avoid processed meats (like pepperoni), smoked meats, and cooked meats.

I'm happy to hear that ollie is buff lol .