|
Post by mrsbdx on Dec 13, 2010 12:00:29 GMT -5
Hello everyone! I'm Amanda from Cumming, GA. I have 2 male ferts (Toki 1 yr, Tripp 2 1/2 yrs)I believe in a minimal vaccine protocol and holisitc medicine. I have 3 dogs as well, 2 of which I attempted to switch to RMB but failed I feel that it is time for me to switch my fuzzies to a natural diet. They are currently eating Ferret and Cat Evo mixed with Before Grain Cat. I am not impressed with their condition, both are healthy, though. I do not have a full kitchen at the moment, so feeding pre made raw seems to be the best option for me. I have found this product sold not far from me. wholesomehound.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=33My question is, since I will be getting the formulas with bone, and the organ ones, Should I just add water or broth to make a soup? Also, do ferrets benefit from green tripe? Thanks in advance!!
|
|
|
Post by jacksmomma on Dec 13, 2010 16:48:11 GMT -5
Hi Amanda! I don't know anything about this food you've posted about and I didn't see any ingredients list, so i'd make sure they don't add any fruits or veggies (or minimal ones). I think these are also meant for dogs (?) so they may be a bit on the low side as far as fat is concerned. If you want to go pre-made raw, I really like Primal www.primalpetfoods.com/ for cats. They are already portioned into 1 oz bricks and come in a fairly good variety of protein sources. Green tripe is disgusting and ferrets (most) wont eat it and you'll just torture yourself with it (trust me, i almost died smelling it). With the ground blends, you will eventually be able to just plop a pile of it in a bowl (or plate) and they will gobble it up. But you will likely want to start out with a soup of some sort. there's recipes all over the forum for that. I just went through the switch with a two year old and he started on a thick soup of chicken thigh, chicken baby food and water... most people also put raw egg in their soups but i was trying to avoid high-sulfur foods. In the beginning you will need to be patient and persistent. This isn't an easy process on you or your ferrets.
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Dec 13, 2010 19:48:52 GMT -5
Hi, and welcome I gather you are looking at getting the Blue Ridge Beef meats? I'd write them, and make sure the indigestibles are around 5% at the most. Ferrets do benefit from SOME veg. matter, simply to replace what would have been fur on whole prey, but don't need very much of it. And you don't want any fruits. The sugar for them is a real no- no As for adding water, it really depends on the ferret. Mine are spoiled, and prefer a wee bit of water to make more of a wet mush
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Dec 13, 2010 21:18:09 GMT -5
Hi and welcome on board. Please feel free to prowl, read and ask questions. Everyone on board is friendly and quick to give a hand. Check out our nutritional section, there are a couple of threads if I remember correctly where commercial products are discussed. If you can't find it ask the list. I agree with Sherrylynne, email the company find out the ingredients the breakdown of the product. Not all commercial raw is created equal . Ferrets like cats require a carnivores diet, fruit and veggies must be kept to a minimum (they are a necessary component if you're going to feed commercial or frankenprey, the problem is keeping them in the very low amounts, as sherrylynne mentioned). The unfortunate part is that if you're feeding a product for dogs, the manufacturer often feels that dogs can take a higher veggie content. There are a few who on board who feed commercial or commercial in part who may be able to point you in the direction of a high quality food Ferrets are not an easy switch but that being said, if you're determined, they will switch (you have to consider them similar to cats) . You can start by making a soupy out of the paddy, it is a method. Ferrets and tripe....some really like it....many think it's a stellar piece of food to stash in out of the way corners I hope that I will be seeing you and your fuzzies around and as nobody has asked you yet.....pictures please ciao
|
|
|
Post by mrsbdx on Dec 13, 2010 23:11:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies! None of their mixes include fruits or veggies, they are pure meat, some with bone, some with organ, and some with both!!! I emailed them anyway but saw the list at the feed store. Once I get the info I will share with all. The 2 lb chubs range anywhere from 2.39 - 9.99 (rabbit) I picked up Kitten mix (lean beef, beef liver, beef heart, bone), quail with bone, turkey with bone, and chicken with bone. I made up some soups gave them each some on a spoon (scruff and drip a drop at a time on their mouths, they probably each got 1/8 tsp) ... Tripp had a vomiting/ gaging fit that lasted about a minute! I am worried about him now, should I stop?? Was it because he thinkgs it tastes bad?? As I said they were both in perfect health the last time they went for a check up (a few months ago).
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Dec 13, 2010 23:20:10 GMT -5
The first time often results in little ones trying to convince their people that they've been poisoned. Make sure they don't inhale the soupy. Just dab some on the end of their nose and let them lick it off. The gagging, spitting and face rubbing can be excessive but usually it's just the new flavour and texture that has set them off. I usually let them play around, grab one on the fly, dab some soupy on their nose, make sure they lick their nose and then put them down to play again. As soon as I don't get a fight with it, I then let them lick it off my finger and then quickly move from that to a spoon and then to the bowl. Once the head starts to swing back and forth while they're licking their lips you've got their notice and they're starting to taste it rather than reacting to the whole new experience. ciao
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Dec 13, 2010 23:27:19 GMT -5
Totally forgot about the tripe question The only time I offered mine meat with tripe mixed in, they sniffed very delicately, looked at me, looked at the meat, looked at me, and struggled to get down like they never have before I took that as a "no" Can't blame them. It smelled TERRIBLE!!! As for the gagging routine, some are real little drama queens. Gagging, retching, sneezing, spitting, twisting, etc I've got one of those. Just persevere, he'll get there
|
|
|
Post by mrsbdx on Dec 14, 2010 22:13:10 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Dec 14, 2010 22:37:12 GMT -5
You will definitely need to add to all those mixes, unfortunately. Depending on the mix, you'll need to add either bone, heart, organ(liver/kidney/other organs), as well as fat.
|
|
|
Post by mrsbdx on Dec 16, 2010 20:49:35 GMT -5
Do you think mixing the Kitten Mix (95% lean beef, chicken w/ bone, beef heart, egg) With the Natural Mix (Beef, beef heart, tripe, liver, tounge), Puppy mix (beef w/ 15% fat, chicken w/ bone, beef heart, green tripe, liver) with one of other meat mixes (Chicken w/ bone, rabbit w/ bone, beef w/ bone, quail w/ bone, turkey w/ bone)?
So everyday it would be Puppy Mix Kitten Mix Natural Mix
With one of the other meats w/ bone.
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Dec 16, 2010 22:27:55 GMT -5
To be honest, if you can get another brand with a balanced diet, it would likely be easier for you They certainly do give you enough different proteins, but I'd be concerned they are getting enough liver/kidney/heart.
|
|
|
Post by mrsbdx on Dec 16, 2010 22:49:09 GMT -5
It's either that, Primal, or Nature's Variety in my area.
|
|
|
Post by mrsbdx on Dec 16, 2010 23:00:34 GMT -5
Maybe I should just do RMB.... It seems easier. I will finished up what I already bought of the BRB and add in the boned meats.
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Dec 16, 2010 23:59:01 GMT -5
It would likely be less expensive, ! The Primal looks like all you need to add are muscle meats, and the Nature's Variety Raw is ok as is. It has everything in it(meat/bone/organ). The only reason I didn't do NV raw is I prefer to add my own veg to it. I just use pumpkin, or a bit of greens.
|
|
|
Post by mrsbdx on Dec 17, 2010 22:22:39 GMT -5
Thank you very much for your advice!!!!! You are awesome =)!
Toki is eating the soup right from the bowls now on his own, but I'm not sure if Tripp is eating it or not. He still prefers kibble. Should I remove the kibble? Or leave it for him just in case?
|
|