Raw diets.

[Zombinwonderland]

I'm really interested in learning about raw diets. I talked to a few people about it, but whenever I bring it up to anybody they tell me not to feed my ferrets raw diets because of the clean up. I really don't see a problem with the clean up, but I do have a few questions.
When you raw feed, do you still give them other food, or do you just feed them the raw? (Right now I feed them innova EVO.)
What type of prey do you give your ferrets?
What are the benefits of raw diets?
Where do you get your prey?

I'm a little weary about feeding them a raw diet. I keep thinking 'Hmm. I have rats who are my pets.. I'm sure they wouldn't be too happy with me.' But I still want to give it a try.

Also, What do you all recommend for good treats?

[nakedrats]

My ferret shelter mom feeds some of her kids raw.  She's got frozen day old chicks and (I believe adult) mice.  She gets hers shipped from Rodent Pro, which seems to have pretty high quality feeder animals.  Just thaw and serve.

naturalferrets Yahoo group can answer all your questions and help you with the transition if you like.  I read it for a while, but my ferret has since decided that even kibble is simply to difficult to eat and has made herself an "obligate soupivore".  Princess...

I fed my cat (RIP) raw for while and it wasn't that messy.  He was fed prey model though so he had large bones left over after a meal.  Feeding whole prey eliminates that.  The entire meal is eaten.  For a ferret, I'd feed in the cage and I can't imagine it would be messy.  My shelter mom's ferrets eat really cleanly.  Chew off some and swallow.  Repeat.  The only thing I would worry about is finding any remainder after the meal.  In a cage, that's no big deal, and if you feed the correct amount, they should eat the entire thing.  I just wouldn't want to find a half eaten meal conveniently stashed inside the couch....3  years later.

Raw's great for ferrets, it really helps with their health problems.  I wish mine had been raw fed before I got her.  She wouldn't be insulinomic.

[ferretluver11697]

Here check out this forum http://holisticferret.proboards80.com/. I feed my ferret raw and I'm serious he loves me more!! He doesn't stink as much and come fall when he gets his new coat he'll be super soft!! Hope this helps!