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Post by littleferretowner on Jan 11, 2011 16:01:52 GMT -5
What would be the ultimate best ferret food to feed my ferret? This is just so I know just in case my future ferret doesn't get onto raw or whole prey, which I really hope she does
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Post by bluemoose on Jan 11, 2011 16:05:20 GMT -5
Freeze dried raw might be a good option if you can't feed regular raw. Wysong Archetypal 1 is a good one but it's kind of pricey. I know some of the other members on this forum use some different freeze dried varieties like Stella and Chewy's.
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Post by littleferretowner on Jan 11, 2011 16:08:54 GMT -5
What might freeze dried be?
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taratee
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Posts: 255
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Post by taratee on Jan 11, 2011 16:13:50 GMT -5
its freeze dried food you can give it to them dry or wet it to rehydrate it
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Post by bluemoose on Jan 11, 2011 16:15:22 GMT -5
Instead of cooking the meat and destroying most of the nutrients, it's frozen very quickly so it that it's less perishable but still raw. Wysong can be fed dry from the bag or re-hydrated with water. I don't have any experience with the other varieties.
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Post by Heather on Jan 11, 2011 16:16:17 GMT -5
Is there a reason why you are unsure about switching your little one? Any ferret will switch given the time and the patience. ciao
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Post by bluemoose on Jan 11, 2011 16:18:30 GMT -5
Yeah I wouldn't worry too much about not being able to switch. It may take time though and you may have to feed something else during the switching process though. If you get a young ferret though, you should be able to switch it very quickly.
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Post by littleferretowner on Jan 11, 2011 16:28:30 GMT -5
I am hoping to get a young ferret ;D
I just wanted to make sure I had a food to feed it just in case for some unusual reason it doesn't take onto eating raw/whole prey.
I had heard of some people not being able to get their ferrets to eat raw/whole prey... And that is why I got worried
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Post by bluemoose on Jan 11, 2011 16:44:11 GMT -5
Well some ferrets, especially older ones, can be stubborn about switching. Ferrets imprint on their food and once their imprinting period is over, they don't recognize new foods as food. Switching to raw is really about teaching a ferret that raw is food. With a young ferret, 6 months and younger, switching it usually not a problem because they're still imprinting on new foods. All three of mine have never had kibble since they entered my house. All it takes is some time and persistence- just more time and persistence in some cases than others
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Post by Heather on Jan 11, 2011 16:45:05 GMT -5
I've never had that problem....switched 30 so far . Persistence and being a bit more stubborn than your ferret is the key. It doesn't mean that you won't feel like throwing in the towel sometimes, but just come on to the forum, rant, get some ideas and go back at it . ciao
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Post by littleferretowner on Jan 11, 2011 16:51:19 GMT -5
I will try my best. But if what you guys say about baby ferrets is true then I don't think I will have any problems switching mine Though would a baby ferret have trouble eating ones? And what do I feed it while it is still learning to eat raw/whole prey? Like to make sure it isn't hungry and getting full nutrition.
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Post by littleferretowner on Jan 11, 2011 16:52:11 GMT -5
meant bones not ones in the first question....
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Post by bluemoose on Jan 11, 2011 16:58:03 GMT -5
Even young ferrets have sharp little teeth. A young or previously kibble fed ferret will need to build up it's jaw strength to tackle large bones. Start with small bones like mice. Or if you're planning to feed raw rather than whole prey, you can use something like chicken gizzards. They're tough and chewy so they're a good way to work up to chicken bones. Many people on the forum use "soupie" to switch their ferrets. Use a blender to make the raw/prey into soup. A soup is easier for them to eat and easier to scruff and stuff with if you so choose. Once they'll eat soup, you can start making it chunkier until they're eating raw/prey without it being blended. Also keep in mind, your mentor will walk you through all this step by step when you get your ferret
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Post by Heather on Jan 11, 2011 16:59:11 GMT -5
Napoleon never did....he just chowed down. Baby ferts (ferrets under 9 months) haven't decided what is food yet so they're usually willing and able to try anything. Believe me those teeth and jaws are meant to crush bone. ciao
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Post by littleferretowner on Jan 11, 2011 17:05:38 GMT -5
Alright
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