From:
kjmscepan@hotmail.com
Date: 2001-03-19 01:46:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Ensure vs. other products
I know this is probably too late in coming, but I use Ensure (&/Plus)
as a dietary supplement when I am making ferret's gruel. It helps my
two down the gruel. I also add either Nutrical or Ferretvite. My
ferrets are carnivorous, I know and that is why I use ground dry
ferret food and water as a base for gruel, microwave it, then add
Ensure after microwaving, since it is not meant to be heated, and
Nutrical/Ferretvite. I mix it all up really well, and my ferrets
will eat it.
This is usually in addition to cage-free dry food.
Gourmet Gruel is ADDICTIVE!!!! Be sure your ferrets don't get too
spoiled and refuse to eat dry food which they need for their teeth
and for their metabolism rate.
The Ensure should only remain in the fridge a few days; freeze in an
ice cube tray (each cube is approximately 1 tsp.) if you will not be
using the whole can within several days.
-- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., ferrets1st@f... wrote:
> --- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., daneedv@a... wrote:
> "...Ensure is lactose free (according to the can..."
>
> duh... you are correct, Dannee, Ensure Plus does not contain
> lactose... Thanks for correcting that.
>
> As a general rule, I recommend other sources for the beneficial
> ingredients in Ensure that are more concentrated and can be
> administered with less volume, because it's tough to get much down
a
> ferret with diet problems.
>
> Ensure is frequently recommend by many ferret experts. I've just
> personally never found it to be an advantage over other products.
>
> I'm a big believer in giving them what they need without the stuff
> they really don't need. And Ensure type products were designed with
> humans in mind, not obligate carnivores.
>
> For sheer quick caloric content, I give Nutri-Cal (Stat, Dyne).
Much
> more concentrated. A half inch can be squeezed into the roof of
their
> mouth where they have to lick it to get rid of it (what they don't
> sling/spit on you!). (Still not designed for obligate carnivores,
but
> a little closer to the mark.)
>
> Debi Christy
> Ferrets First Foster Home