From:
Andrea
Date: 2005-08-22 02:01:39 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: Raw feeding//whole prey feeding
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20050822020139.26273.qmail@web52005.mail.yahoo.com>
Thank you all for all the info and websites on this touchy subject. I apologize, I did mean whole prey feeding, not raw. Thank you also to someone for the idea about feeding in a specific container... I didnt even know if I could do it, as I have dogs in the household also... and I wasnt sure about any leftever odor from the feedings.
I am considering feeding whole prey, as I have lost 4 ferrets within a year's span, from various diseases, and they have ranged in ages from 2 to 6. I have followed everything possible I have learned from this list and the vets, and they still keep getting this diseases I cant prevent. They mostly have come from shelters, so I dont know what their lifestyle (darkness, quality of food, vet care, etc) or anything was before when they were babies, and I'm sure that has had some type of effect. All I know is something isnt right, that I keep losing them so young in life. Believe me, to feed whole prey is going to take alot, but if it will keep them healthier, I will do it.
I do worry about the bones and bacteria coming from the prey. So I am wondering if this idea, would be in the middle between feeding kibble and actual whole prey... I wonder if anyone cooks the whole prey, such in a way that resembles Bob Church's Chicken Gravy. I would still leave out kibble for them, but preparing the prey this way, could help cut down on the rawfeeding-negatives (bones, bacteria)? I know that cooking kills some of the nutrients, so would this idea even be worth it?
I know, I'm sorry, it is such an awful picture I am painting for some right now, and I'm sorry. To do anything like this myself will take alot, I already feel bad for even thinking this. (I'm the type who wont kill spiders or moths or anything!) But I just want to do whats best for my little ferrets, I owe that to them, but I'm just not sure what the actual right thing is.
Andrea
sukiec@optonline.net wrote:
While I realize that it is vogue for some people to print the worst
possible conclusions about the dietary options on either side the reality
at this stage of known hard facts is that each option has its benefits
and shortfalls.
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