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Post by jacksmomma on Dec 30, 2010 21:03:03 GMT -5
I made the mistake of supplementing a lean ground sirloin with heavy cream to make up for the lack of fat one night. And now Jack is OBSESSED with heavy cream. He follows me to the kitchen, stands at my feet and begs the whole time for some. He's no where near over-weight, in fact i'd like him to put on some weight (although the vet thinks he's fine), so is it ok if i give in to his begging a few (read several) times a week? is anyone else supplementing with heavy cream?
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Post by Jackie on Dec 30, 2010 21:49:01 GMT -5
Hmm, I'm interested in the response to this as well. Pixie is gaining weigh, but she is still thin...
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Post by Heather on Dec 30, 2010 22:54:37 GMT -5
Some ferrets do ok on heavy cream and some people do use it to put on weight. That being said...I've used it myself on a couple of ferrets, those ferrets got ill. If you want to use it as a treat, and your ferret appears to tolerate it, once or twice a week shouldn't hurt. You both mention that your ferrets are "ok' weight wise but you would like to see more weight on them....why? Do you know that the one problem with ferrets over here, according to Bob Church...they're fat. Ferrets are supposed to be lean, slender...not round like little fat beavers  like my Napoleon   If you only need to see moderate weight gain then add more animal fat to your little ones diet. Ferrets do not eat milk products as part of their natural diet  If you want to offer a tsp of heavy cream and it's tolerated .... go for it but remember if you start seeing loose, smelly stools ferrets like cats are lactose intolerant. ciao |
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Post by jacksmomma on Dec 30, 2010 23:06:46 GMT -5
I can feel Jack's ribs and hip bones. The vet says this is ideal so long as you don't feel definition of the spine. I just hate picking up Brady and then picking up Jack who feels like a bag of bones compared to fatty Brady
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Post by Heather on Dec 30, 2010 23:31:19 GMT -5
Ferrets have different body types. There are whippets, gray hounds and bulldogs . Think of the dog who's name is represented and you will have what body type your ferret falls into. Napoleon is a bulldog (an overweight bulldog ),  little Lady Natasha  is a whippet (very slender), Fun-Go is a gray hound type ( a bit heavier, longer but carries good weight)  This is a pic of Mad Max and Loki Bears Mad Max is a gray hound and Loki is a bulldog  Does that help? Perhaps it's rather bad to use winter weights for my guys but it gives you a rough idea. Head width and depth also comes into play too. ciao |
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Post by sunnyberra on Dec 30, 2010 23:33:39 GMT -5
oh, hey, that's a neat way to think about it! Now I'm mentally categorizing my business |
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Post by bluemoose on Dec 31, 2010 0:21:48 GMT -5
I wouldn't give heavy cream to my business just because many ferrets don't tolerate dairy well but then I don't give my dog, cat, or ferrets anything other than their normal raw diet. I guess I feel treats are really more for the benefit of the humans than the animals. It makes you feel good to give an animal treats That being said, not everyone is as much of a hole as me and an occasional treat like that probably wouldn't hurt. But I agree with Heather that extra animal fat is a better way to put weight on your guy. |
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Post by WTFerret on Dec 31, 2010 2:36:50 GMT -5
I give heavy cream mixed with pedialyte when they are sick.
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 31, 2010 3:01:14 GMT -5
I actually give heavy(read "whipping" cream) as a treat mixed into their commercial grind every so often. Even my possible IBD guy tolerates it fairly well. AT least he will willingly eat ANYTHING including heavy cream And they adore it. Yeah, I know- spoiled I guess I take the same attitude toward my ferrets as I do toward myself. I *need* a treat every so often. Makes life worthwhile |
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Post by bluemoose on Dec 31, 2010 3:31:19 GMT -5
Mine get what they consider to be treats- fish oil, a strip of chicken fat, an egg yolk, ect. I just don't give commercial treats or foods that aren't species appropriate. I figure they can't miss treats they've never tried |
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Post by jacksmomma on Dec 31, 2010 9:48:04 GMT -5
Thanks Heather! that analogy helps... I guess i keep trying to compare Jack (a whippit/ greyhound) to Brady ( a bulldog/ elephant). Jack actually does really well with a bit of heavy whipping cream and has never shown signs of tummy upset and like sherrylynne said - it makes him try any meat it's mixed into. Brady's tummy doesn't tolerate it, but thats fine because Brady doesn't beg for it
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Post by mjohn143 on Dec 31, 2010 12:32:01 GMT -5
Mine get what they consider to be treats- fish oil, a strip of chicken fat, an egg yolk, ect. I just don't give commercial treats or foods that aren't species appropriate. I figure they can't miss treats they've never tried Do you give raw egg yolks as a treat?? About the weight, how do you know what is okay? MegaWeasel got his name bc he used to be mega fat, but he is soooo skinny now. I mean he eats, and I wasn't concerned bc he was fat when I just had Beatrice and Badger, neither played with him... then I got Clovis and they really wrestled and ran around for hours, so I attributed his weight loss to this. He weighs 2lbs 8oz and he seems "dense" but I can feel his ribs and hip bones, but not his spine like someone mentioned. |
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Post by Heather on Dec 31, 2010 12:47:53 GMT -5
That sounds about right. I would be concerned if the weight loss continues though. It's hard when you have a furchild who is fat and suddenly the weight disappears but you know that they're actually playing hard and the loss can be attributed to exercise. As long as he's still eating right, pooping and not a sleepyhead and is playing hard then the weight loss is a good thing
ciao
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Post by bluemoose on Dec 31, 2010 15:21:45 GMT -5
Mine get what they consider to be treats- fish oil, a strip of chicken fat, an egg yolk, ect. I just don't give commercial treats or foods that aren't species appropriate. I figure they can't miss treats they've never tried Do you give raw egg yolks as a treat?? Yeah, should I not? |
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 31, 2010 15:52:36 GMT -5
I think egg yolks make a great treat |
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