Raw/Whole Prey Diet Appreciation Thread! *graphic warning*

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

I'd love video of them huning/killing, just because I am curious how they hunt/kill live prey. I've seen plenty of ferrets but have never known any to eat live prey.

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They kill like most other predatory mammals. A bite to the back of the neck is usually what happens. The bite itself is just about an instant kill for the mice. The ferrets need to do to a little more maneuvering for the rats and other larger prey in order to get into the perfect position for a neck bite.

When they're in a group, they'll also fight over prey.

I'll have some videos of them killing mice/rats/duck. I'll see if I could upload them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by satomi325

This is a thread for those who practice or is interested in feeding raw/whole prey to their carnivorous furry friends. (Inspired by Pookie's Dog thread)
So, please feel free to share your experiences, diets, feeding process, and pictures! :)

*Beware, this will be a graphic thread.*


My experience:
Ferrets are obligate carnivores. They cannot digest grain, fiber, or any type of plant based material. Kibble has too much junk ferrets cannot digest.
Since switching my ferrets from kibble to whole prey, I have seen a vast improvement in body condition and overall health. They have great teeth, decreased appetite due to getting more nutrients/energy in less volume of food, less odor, less waste, more energy, more muscle mass, and softer and shinier coat (they glitter in the sun). My particular business of ferrets have been feeding on a variety of prey for the past 3 years and I couldn't be happier with their health ...

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thanks for posting. definitely something to consider if I ever follow through on getting a few of my own. also good use of the collective 'business of ferrets.' not many people know that one. it's my favorite next to a parliament of owls, a murder of crows, and an impatience of wives.

Don't have many pictures, but both of my dogs and both of my cats are on a raw/prey model diet. Doing great! All of them run around like youngsters (the cats are 9-10 years old, one dog is 6 years old, the other dog 2 years old). They always get rave reviews by the vet, perfect 5 on body condition scale. Their blood work always comes back clean and perfect.

One of my dogs eating:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...lley_bone2.jpg

This is what "their" freezer looked like before we upgraded to a larger one.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...at_freezer.jpg

Gawww I wish I had that freezer space lol

I've got 3 dogs, 2 ferrets and a cat all raw fed here, will not go back to kibble, they all look feel better and feel than ever and they love it.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...une2011024.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...dpipvid014.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...rch2011002.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...feb2012009.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...sgiving001.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...rscraps003.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/IMG_1395.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...ept2012011.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sorraia

Don't have many pictures, but both of my dogs and both of my cats are on a raw/prey model diet. Doing great! All of them run around like youngsters (the cats are 9-10 years old, one dog is 6 years old, the other dog 2 years old). They always get rave reviews by the vet, perfect 5 on body condition scale. Their blood work always comes back clean and perfect.

One of my dogs eating:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...lley_bone2.jpg

This is what "their" freezer looked like before we upgraded to a larger one.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...at_freezer.jpg

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:bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow:

Wow! That is one heck of a freezer. With us having just moved to the other side of town, feeding raw may be a bit more doable. Our biggest problem before was getting organ meats and hearts as the only organs you could really get on the southside of town was chicken liver and if you were lucky the package of hearts and gizzards MIGHT have at least 3 chicken hearts in it. Now that we live on the west end, we are closer to a store that carries a few different types of organ and also carries heart. :) I'll have to sit down with the hubby when he gets back from his trip and convince him to let the ferrets go raw/whole prey again. The cats too!

As far as hunting, only one of mine hunts. That's Twitch. On occasion I like to let her hunt in the bathtub with a live mouse. Usually she eats the head but leaves the body in the tub. If I put it in her food bowl she'll finish it later. Damien, my oldest boy likes whole prey but he won't hunt. Kale has absolutely no interest in whole prey but will eat raw. I plan on slowly introducing him to whole prey soon.

GoingPostal, those pics are amazing! One of the biggest reasons I am wanting to learn to hunt is so I can provide meat for my furkids. I'll have to try that hook thing with chicken legs and wings as I have the toughest time getting mine to eat the whole thing, but I've heard the hook helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sorraia

This is what "their" freezer looked like before we upgraded to a larger one.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...at_freezer.jpg

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Extremely extremely jealous. I need a pet meat freezer!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

I've got 3 dogs, 2 ferrets and a cat all raw fed here, will not go back to kibble, they all look feel better and feel than ever and they love it.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...une2011024.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...dpipvid014.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...rch2011002.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...feb2012009.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...sgiving001.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...rscraps003.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/IMG_1395.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...ept2012011.jpg

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This is totally amazing!
Love it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

I'd love video of them huning/killing, just because I am curious how they hunt/kill live prey. I've seen plenty of ferrets but have never known any to eat live prey.

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Just warning you, this may be a little violent. Bigger the prey, harder they are the kill.

Excuse the awkward music. Coleslaw and Bobbafett requested it. >___<;;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7eaRzPx4lY



And a 2 year old video of a mouse feed (not as graphic):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZcb8fxmn8

Quote:

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Just warning you, this may be a little violent. Bigger the prey, harder they are the kill.

Excuse the awkward music. Coleslaw and Bobbafett requested it. >___<;;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7eaRzPx4lY



And a 2 year old video of a mouse feed (not as graphic):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZcb8fxmn8

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It's not awkward!
It's awesome