From:
Pam Waldron
Date: 2002-06-01 13:12:00 UTC
Subject: Re: getting ferret back to kibble
Hi KC!
We had the same problem with Heidi last year.
Try reducing the amount of water in your gruel over
about a week or two, and reducing the soaking time
... to the point where the gruel becomes a mush (like
baby food, then progress to oatmeal consistency) then
mush with lumps, then wet not quite mushy with crunchy
lumps. Also, reduce the number of "special" feedings
at the same time till you're down to one. I'd start
with leaving off one of the middle of the day or
middle of the night feedings. Just keep weaning like
you would a human child. At the same time you're doing
this, make sure dry kibble and fresh water are
available at all times, free choice, in the cage.
Eventually, you'll be offering wet crunchy kibble in
"juice" (kibble flavored water) if your fert is
stubborn, or just start offering only dry by this
time.
Keep an eye on your fert to make sure she is eating.
As you thicken the consistency and reduce the number
of "special" feedings, dry kibble should look more
appealing to her. Don't put any additives in the wet
food. Especially take away the Ferretvites. She's not
sick anymore and that stuff is LOADED with sugar.
(What kid willingly gives up ice cream for supper?) I
would offer Ferretone on a spoon for a treat, and a
few drops on a small measure of kibble (5-6 pieces) to
make it more appealing.
You'll be surprised how quickly she decides that dry
kibble tastes just as good as waiting for her wet
food.
These adorable little frauds are masters at the "Baby
me, mom!" (imagine big, sad, puppy ... er, ferret eyes
here) school of "weezil-ing" whatever they want from
us (why else do we call them 'weezils'?)
With patience, you CAN wean your adorable little
fraud off the soup and onto kibble.
Dooks to you and yours,
Pam and the two weezil-iest all-pro frauds of all
time, Heidi and Sugar (But mommy, we're so cute! You
just gotta let us have that!)
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