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Post by valkyriestorm on Jan 18, 2011 22:37:02 GMT -5
Correct me if I am wrong, but I was re reading Ferrets for Dummies and it says in there that lactobacillus, does not help ferrets because they are carnivores? Just thought it was funny how Marshall's Duk Soup has it and other stuff they make has it in there also like their Probiotic. So what about Geneflora then??
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jan 19, 2011 9:39:24 GMT -5
There is a LOT of controversy over probiotics. I need to run, but I will post some stuff later. -jennifer
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Post by kainslie on Jan 19, 2011 15:28:50 GMT -5
I personally don't believe in 'added' items to my raw meal, like fruits veggies, or probiotics. Some people here suppliment with some pumpkin and stuff though - I personally do without.
Same as probiotics, I don't think they need it (dog, cat and ferret a like) but it's a comfort thing for you.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 19, 2011 16:18:13 GMT -5
Actually, it's not just a "comfort" thing. The pumpkin is simply fiber- however what it replaces are the non- digetibles from whole prey, like fur. As for the probiotics, some fuzz have more trouble digesting the meat than others. As in IBD cases. That's where they probiotics really show their stuff. And the pumpkin also helps slow digestion down a bit there as well, so the ferret gains more nutrition from what he/she is eating. Supplements like Reishi mushrooms are a proven anti-histamine, as well as an anti-inflammatory.
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Post by valkyriestorm on Jan 19, 2011 20:29:13 GMT -5
I also remember reading that they cant digest fiber also because they do not have a cecum?? I may be wrong about that also, dont have the book right now in front of me. SO the only good supplement to add to a raw diet would be Wysongs Call of the Wild and some fish oil??? Just asking because for a couple years now I have not been adding anything and my ferrets are fine, just dont know if I should add a supplement.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 19, 2011 20:38:18 GMT -5
I supplement pumpkin in my commercial raw, simply because they seem to do better with it than without it. And yes, you are right- they don't digest plant material. But that's not what it's there for. When a ferret eats something like a mouse, he eats it fur and all. The fur, however, does have a job. It works to "clean out" his intestines. As well as wrapping around the sharp objects like teeth. What I'm doing with the pumpkin is replacing that fur that also helps slow down the digestive process just a wee bit, and as a result, helps keep everything moving really well. Now, you don't necessarily NEED to do this, but like I said, I've found mine do better with, than without, it. The fish oil has omega-3's, which are fatty acids. They are also supposed to help with cancers, as well as helping dry skin. The reishi mushrooms do help with things like mast cell tumors, as well as helping boost the immune system. I use probiotics for my IBD boy. His stools without it are horrendous. With it(and the pumpkin), they are almost normal. If your ferrets have no health problems, then the fish oil should do you good. I gather you are still going to be feeding kibbles, and supplementing with raw?
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Post by valkyriestorm on Jan 19, 2011 20:50:05 GMT -5
I leave Kibble cat food Orijen in the cage for them. When they are free roaming outside the cage I give them raw. Yeah so I do both. Its more that I dont always have time to feed them raw as much as I would like too, and also I am still having trouble with them eating whole raw. I still do the ground meat. I give them the kibble to help their teeth, even tho the raw has some bits and pieces of bone. So salmon oil is OK?
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Post by Jackie on Jan 19, 2011 21:06:33 GMT -5
I find that my two girls have MUCH better stools when they have pumpkin vs when they don't. Also just a side note, kibble doesn't actually clean a ferrets teeth. =/ When my girls were on kibble, they had bad plaque. Now that they're eating bones and meat, no more plaque. And no more brushing
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Post by valkyriestorm on Jan 19, 2011 21:10:30 GMT -5
yeah I know it does not do much for the teeth but that is the only *cruchy* thing they will eat next to some treats. I dont think it would be good if they just lived off soupy meats. They need to work out their jaws on something right lol
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 19, 2011 22:03:33 GMT -5
Switching is definitely a time commitment. And supplementing with raw soups at least is better than straight kibbles
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jan 19, 2011 22:21:19 GMT -5
I'm half in the bag right now (hellish drive home on slick ice required a stiff drink - or 2...I hate going for "ditch rides") so I will refrain from blathering on about lactobacillus - that requires too much focus. However I will say that the freeze-dried raw helps clean teeth, and it's easy to introduce in small bits sprinkle into kibble. add larger bits as you ferret begins to develop a taste for the dried meats!
-jennifer
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Post by valkyriestorm on Jan 20, 2011 22:03:13 GMT -5
LOL. My guys do like freeze dried raw. I Dont have a problem feeding them that. Wish I could afford to feed it to them all the time
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Post by Jackie on Jan 20, 2011 22:04:13 GMT -5
Yeah, I wish I could make freeze dried a more regular thing. Once I run out of my freeze dried stock, I don't think I'll be able to afford to get more. =/
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