From:
Chelsey Baker-Hauck
Date: 2006-11-11 01:33:11 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Kibble vs. meat in acute care
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I'm fairly new to this list, but there seems to be an ongoing and
lusty debate of kibble versus meat, and cooked versus raw.
Let me just say, for those of us who have sick ferrets who are either
picky about their foods or won't eat at all, whether they're getting
kibble or meat probably isn't going to make a heck of a lot of
difference. I'm dealing with this right now. Anything I can get Elmo
to eat is on the plus side--long term health effects aren't really a
concern right now. So, if a kibble based soup does the trick in
keeping a non-eater alive, I say go for it. Certainly, a protein-
based diet is best for a ferret w/insulinoma, but if you can't get
them to eat it, it's missing the point.
I've found that my rescue ferrets have never been much for meat, I
think because they were conditioned to kibble. Those ferrets I've
raised from kits had meats and a variety of textures introduced
early, so they're more likely to go for new foods. But, let me give
you a case: Elmo, who's got lymphosarcoma, has always been a
voracious carnivore and would devour any cooked meat. Now, though, he
ONLY wants carbs. He fights meat violently. It's all I can do to get
Gerber's into him, and that doesn't have all of the fats and vitamins
he needs.
I guess the moral of the story from my standpoint is (and based on 15
+ years w/rescue and pet ferrets) that owners should do the best they
can based on their own situation and the condition of their ferrets.
Not everyone can afford to feed meat as a staple, or perhaps they
don't have a way to finely grind an entire chicken, or maybe the
ferret only likes one kind of kibble and would rather starve than eat
anything else (yes, I have one of those, too, and she has insulinoma).
Certainly, in an ideal world we'd feed them the natural diet they
evolved to digest and metabolize. I think we all agree on that. But,
that's not where we live and I think we each have to do our best.
Obviously, everyone on this list cares about their ferrets and wants
to learn and do everything they can to keep them healthy, including
feeding the best foods possible. Remember, there are still sicko
people out there who don't even bother to feed or water their ferrets
or try to give them chinchilla chow--I'm grateful for the people on
this list who are really trying to do the right thing, even if not
everyone agrees with them. After all, we're all still learning new
things about these animals, no matter how much ferret experience we
have.
Just some constructive thoughts for anyone who might be feeling bad
about some of the discussions.
Wish me luck in getting Elmo to eat!
PS--If anyone in Colorado or nearby states needs whole ground
chickens, bones and all, I have a source. They include the skin,
small bones and organ meat. I've only found one place to do it, and
it took some convincing. You can e-mail me privately for info.
Chelsey