Post by Heather on Dec 24, 2010 12:56:54 GMT -5
Name: Janna
HF Forum Username: Kitori
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
When I first started researching ferrets before I got my first one. At the time I didn't think it was something for me. Since then I have been frequenting ferret forums and there have been a lot of people raving about feeding raw. I've become more and more curious and now I think I'm ready to make the switch.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I would like to switch them fully to raw feeding (not live prey).
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I want to do what's best for them and feed them what they're meant to eat so they can live a long and healthy life.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
I am. I'm used to living a busy life and right now is the least busy I've been in a while. My current schedule will hold through until next fall when I will be starting school again. Right now I have plenty of time to spend with my fuzzies.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
I have two ferrets, Caboose (female) and Tucker (male). Neither are underweight. Tucker is a bit hefty, but I don't think that he is overweight. Both have been declared healthy by my veterinarian recently. Caboose is a little over a year old. We're not sure exactly how old Tucker is but we know he is young. His veterinarian has guessed he's between one and two years old.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
A mix of dry kibble (Wellness CORE, Zupreem, 8-in-1 crunchy). I've been slowly introducing soup made of Wellness CORE cat food, chicken baby food, some kibble, raw chicken breast, and water. Tucker is taking to this better than Caboose. They also enjoy bandits treats that my brother bought for them, I've since read the ingredients list and wont be buying them again once they're gone.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I've never tried a natural diet with my ferrets before.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I guess nothing that necessarily pertains to switching them to raw... but I'm a veterinary assistant who will be going to school next fall to be a certified veterinary technician. I also volunteer at a ferret rescue on Wednesday nights. My two ferrets are both rescues from my job. Caboose was released to us (the animal hospital I work at) by a man who's children were not interested in her and he wanted her to be euthanized. Tucker was found in the yard of one of our clients, another ferret had been found in the same area by animal control so he and this ferret were probably released by their owner.
9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Every day. I usually am on for a half an hour before work and several hours after work. The exception is Thursdays when I work both of my jobs on the same day and I do not always get on after work and if I do, it is only for a few minutes.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
This is Caboose, I dont have a picture of Tucker yet since my camera has broken since taking this one. I'll try to find someone who will lend me their camera sometime soon, though.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Heather....whoo hoo that's me
) will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.
Hi
I'm Heather, and we're going to be working together for the next little while trying to convince your furbaby to change to a healthier diet
I've been feeding a raw/natural diet for a little over 10 yrs. I have a small private rescue/sanctuary, just outside of Toronto, Canada where all ferrets turned into me are switched immediately over to a raw diet that consists of ground raw/whole meats or frankenprey/ and prey diet. At present every ferret eats this full range of diets. I don't keep kibbles in the house. All my furbabies are free roaming and have access to an outdoor play area that they can access at will. At present there are 12 little fuzzbutts who call this their permanent home. They range in ages of about 1 yr to my senior citizen, Dr. Pooka Dooks who is approx. 10 yrs. My most difficult switch was a little senior who was turned in at 9 yrs of age (she by the way has been my biggest raw switch challenge, which had me at times wondering why I was doing this to her) She eventually was completely switched and putting on a beautiful dark black coat, teeth that were nicely cleaned up, and she actually has a lot of fun investigating the house (she used to do nothing but sleep when she first was turned in). She has made me aware that every ferret no matter how old, can get a new lease on life by eating a species appropriate diet. She eventually passed on at 11 yrs of age to complete organ failure....old age.
Raw soupy is my favourite switching tool and one that I've had the most success with.
You can try to get them to eat a raw soup immediately. You will need a blender/food processor, and the following raw items:
8 oz raw chicken thigh meat (including skin and fat)
1/2 tsp of crushed eggshell powder (take a raw eggshell. Rinse it out. Let it dry. Crush to powder)
1 raw chicken heart
1/2 raw chicken liver
Water or broth(use more to make it soupier, less to make it thicker)
Blend ingredients together. Some prefer it at room temp. Try putting a dollop of "soup" onto your ferret's nose and they probably will lick it off. I use my finger. Sometimes this takes a little bit trying to convince them that you're not trying to poison them I find within a very short time they're licking this off my finger. When I see that they're willing to eat freely off my finger then I use a small spoon to try and get them to eat from that. Try to get them eating the soupy on their own. It might pique their interest.
Most ferrets will willingly eat the food once they actually TASTE it, so the only struggle you *should* encounter is them not wanting to taste it. Don't be surprised if your furbabies' initial reaction is to gag, spit and look at you like, what are you trying to poison me with But don't let them get away with it The hardest part is to insist and be consistent. Please also be aware that after years of kibbles they aren't aware that what you're offering them is indeed food. Once they willingly eat from your finger and spoon, work to try and get them eating this out of a dish or plate.
Each time you make your soupy, use a little less water to make it thicker/chunkier. Replace soup with fresh soup every 4-6 hours. You can make a large batch if you like and freeze into ice cubes or cupcake trays. Then you just thaw a portion and serve. OR you can put a frozen "cube" into their bowl and let it slowly thaw.
This is a good way to slowly ease them into wet foods. I use this method to switch all my furbabies and I've personally switched approximately 30 ferrets of my own in the last few years.
I will let you read through and if you have any questions please ask.
Good luck
ciao
HF Forum Username: Kitori
1. Where did you first learn about natural diets for ferrets?
When I first started researching ferrets before I got my first one. At the time I didn't think it was something for me. Since then I have been frequenting ferret forums and there have been a lot of people raving about feeding raw. I've become more and more curious and now I think I'm ready to make the switch.
2. Please describe the type of diet you would like assistance in switching your ferret(s) to. Be sure to include if you are interested in feeding whole prey (live or frozen-thawed) and if you are wanting to FULLY switch to a natural diet or PARTIALLY. If you are unsure what kind of diet you want to put your ferrets on, please express that and we can help you find the best type of natural diet for your ferret.
I would like to switch them fully to raw feeding (not live prey).
3. Why are you interested in switching your ferrets to a natural diet?
I want to do what's best for them and feed them what they're meant to eat so they can live a long and healthy life.
4. Do you understand that switching your ferret to a natural diet can be a lengthy, arduous process? Its not an overnight switch. It can be a commitment of several weeks or even months. Your HF Mentor will be more then happy to assist you in switchng your ferret(s) to a natural diet, but you need to be equally as commited. If you aren't willing to tough out a potentially lengthy switching process, or if you have major life changes approaching (baby on the way, moving, starting school, getting married/divorced, etc) then it might be a better idea to wait on switching your ferret's diet until you have more time. Are you willing to make the commitment?
I am. I'm used to living a busy life and right now is the least busy I've been in a while. My current schedule will hold through until next fall when I will be starting school again. Right now I have plenty of time to spend with my fuzzies.
5. How many ferrets do you currently have? What are their names? Ages? Genders? Do they have any health problems? Are they overweight? Underweight?
I have two ferrets, Caboose (female) and Tucker (male). Neither are underweight. Tucker is a bit hefty, but I don't think that he is overweight. Both have been declared healthy by my veterinarian recently. Caboose is a little over a year old. We're not sure exactly how old Tucker is but we know he is young. His veterinarian has guessed he's between one and two years old.
6. What diet do you currently feed your ferrets? (Please include all treats, supplements, etc)
A mix of dry kibble (Wellness CORE, Zupreem, 8-in-1 crunchy). I've been slowly introducing soup made of Wellness CORE cat food, chicken baby food, some kibble, raw chicken breast, and water. Tucker is taking to this better than Caboose. They also enjoy bandits treats that my brother bought for them, I've since read the ingredients list and wont be buying them again once they're gone.
7. Have you ever tried to switch your ferrets to a natural diet in the past? If yes, what happened?
I've never tried a natural diet with my ferrets before.
8. What additional information about yourself or your ferrets would you like to share?
I guess nothing that necessarily pertains to switching them to raw... but I'm a veterinary assistant who will be going to school next fall to be a certified veterinary technician. I also volunteer at a ferret rescue on Wednesday nights.
My two ferrets are both rescues from my job. Caboose was released to us (the animal hospital I work at) by a man who's children were not interested in her and he wanted her to be euthanized. Tucker was found in the yard of one of our clients, another ferret had been found in the same area by animal control so he and this ferret were probably released by their owner.9. How often during the week do you have access to a computer?
Every day. I usually am on for a half an hour before work and several hours after work. The exception is Thursdays when I work both of my jobs on the same day and I do not always get on after work and if I do, it is only for a few minutes.
10. Please post a picture of each of your ferrets (if possible).
This is Caboose, I dont have a picture of Tucker yet since my camera has broken since taking this one. I'll try to find someone who will lend me their camera sometime soon, though.
Hi and welcome to the mentoring program. In a little while your mentor (Heather....whoo hoo that's me
) will introduce herself and you can get started on a new adventure in natural ferret care and diets. Please remember to post regularly (daily or as per arranged with your mentor) so that your mentor can assist you move along safely in this adventure. If you experience computer difficulties or are going to be away, please notify your mentor and most of all relax and have fun . Your mentor is here to help you on this journey.Hi
I'm Heather, and we're going to be working together for the next little while trying to convince your furbaby to change to a healthier diet
I've been feeding a raw/natural diet for a little over 10 yrs. I have a small private rescue/sanctuary, just outside of Toronto, Canada where all ferrets turned into me are switched immediately over to a raw diet that consists of ground raw/whole meats or frankenprey/ and prey diet. At present every ferret eats this full range of diets. I don't keep kibbles in the house. All my furbabies are free roaming and have access to an outdoor play area that they can access at will. At present there are 12 little fuzzbutts who call this their permanent home. They range in ages of about 1 yr to my senior citizen, Dr. Pooka Dooks who is approx. 10 yrs. My most difficult switch was a little senior who was turned in at 9 yrs of age (she by the way has been my biggest raw switch challenge, which had me at times wondering why I was doing this to her) She eventually was completely switched and putting on a beautiful dark black coat, teeth that were nicely cleaned up, and she actually has a lot of fun investigating the house (she used to do nothing but sleep when she first was turned in). She has made me aware that every ferret no matter how old, can get a new lease on life by eating a species appropriate diet. She eventually passed on at 11 yrs of age to complete organ failure....old age.
Raw soupy is my favourite switching tool and one that I've had the most success with.
You can try to get them to eat a raw soup immediately. You will need a blender/food processor, and the following raw items:
8 oz raw chicken thigh meat (including skin and fat)
1/2 tsp of crushed eggshell powder (take a raw eggshell. Rinse it out. Let it dry. Crush to powder)
1 raw chicken heart
1/2 raw chicken liver
Water or broth(use more to make it soupier, less to make it thicker)
Blend ingredients together. Some prefer it at room temp. Try putting a dollop of "soup" onto your ferret's nose and they probably will lick it off. I use my finger. Sometimes this takes a little bit trying to convince them that you're not trying to poison them I find within a very short time they're licking this off my finger. When I see that they're willing to eat freely off my finger then I use a small spoon to try and get them to eat from that. Try to get them eating the soupy on their own. It might pique their interest.
Most ferrets will willingly eat the food once they actually TASTE it, so the only struggle you *should* encounter is them not wanting to taste it. Don't be surprised if your furbabies' initial reaction is to gag, spit and look at you like, what are you trying to poison me with But don't let them get away with it The hardest part is to insist and be consistent. Please also be aware that after years of kibbles they aren't aware that what you're offering them is indeed food. Once they willingly eat from your finger and spoon, work to try and get them eating this out of a dish or plate.
Each time you make your soupy, use a little less water to make it thicker/chunkier. Replace soup with fresh soup every 4-6 hours. You can make a large batch if you like and freeze into ice cubes or cupcake trays. Then you just thaw a portion and serve. OR you can put a frozen "cube" into their bowl and let it slowly thaw.
This is a good way to slowly ease them into wet foods. I use this method to switch all my furbabies and I've personally switched approximately 30 ferrets of my own in the last few years.
I will let you read through and if you have any questions please ask.
Good luck
ciao
