HFF Test.

Ferrets are obligate carnivores. (Select One Answer.)

Ferrets are obligate carnivores. This means that they require meat and only meat for them to be healthy. It is what their bodies have evolved to digest. For more Information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hmNTiunSOsm7BOy6BgjlId_GkYTUwvIFBDKGDQtzon8/edit

How long does it take for a ferret to digest food? (Select One Answer.)

Ferrets have short digestive tracts and fast metabolisms so it takes roughly 3-4 hours for them to digest food.

It is recommended to feed a single protein for the entire diet. (Select One Answer.)

While it is possible for a ferret to have a single protein diet, it is NOT recommended. A single protein diet is not balanced and could lead to other health issues.

Ferrets can eat pretty much any meat providing it has nothing added to it like enhancements, correct? (Select One Answer.)

While it is possible that ferrets could eat pretty much any meat providing it has no enhancements, we generally we don't suggest feeding carnivores due to bio-magnification of toxins. We also don't recommend bear due to the possibility of freeze-resistant trichinella and also recommend avoiding large fish or those that are higher in mercury.

What percentage should Heart be? (Select One Answer.)

Heart should be 10% of the total diet.

Which one is NOT counted as an organ in raw feeding? (Select One Answer.)

The heart in general is a muscular organ, however in raw feeding we DO NOT count it as an organ. Heart is considered a muscle meat and is ABSOLUTELY necessary as it is their primary source of taurine. Lack of taurine in their diet can lead to eyesight problems and other issues. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ysfT1bIvXixXYv6QFjW_EZZqHymtRXRTc3E_wAxLbxU/edit

If your ferret is constipated and has very hard and dry stools, what can you do to fix this? (Select One Answer.)

A diet with too many bone in meat meals can cause a ferret to have dry and hard stools. Decreasing the bone in meat meals and increasing the muscle meat meals will help with the hard and dry stools. Example: You have 9 bone in meat meals and 2 muscle meat meals for the week. Decrease the 9 to 8 bone in meat meals and increase the 2 to 3 muscle meat meals. Any concerns or questions regarding this question. ask your mentor.

Which of these is considered a muscle meat meal? (Multiple Choice Answer.)

Pork slivers and Gizzard are considered a muscle meat meal. Gizzard are especially great since they're very chewy and help to build jaw strength. They also help to clean teeth.

Which of these is considered a bone in meat meal? (Multiple Choice Answer.)

Quail and Pork Buttons are considered bone in meats. Quail is a great bone in meat for beginners.

Which of these is considered an organ meal? (Multiple Choice Answer.)

Nutritional Organs are Major Hormone-Secreting Tissues: Liver, Kidney, Spleen, Pancreas, Gallbladder, Brain, Major glands (thymus, thyroid, parathyroid) Uterus, Testicles. Read more: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MwRqCyh9CAT5vAdKWAAHarmm8Cm-etgZsdakU2UIyyU/edit?usp=sharing

A Bezoar is short for Trichobezoar, what does it refer to? (Select One Answer.)

A trichobezoar is a bezoar (a mass found trapped in the gastrointestinal system) formed from the ingestion of hair. It is an extreme form of hairball.

Bezoar can create life threatening blockages. (Select One Answer.)

Like rabbits and cows, Ferrets are unable to regurgitate the hairball so it can cause a life threatening blockage which could very well lead to death if not surgically removed. Usually fur ingested by grooming could pass through the ferret without problems, but if it does become stuck, the fur will build up and cause a blockage. If you think your ferret has a blockage, please call and visit a vet ASAP as blockages are like a ticking time bomb. For more information please follow the link here to read on blockage protocol. https://docs.google.com/document/d/145QYWoTOJlsHViwRrtqDk8wPrFtx9sBxtKU0-sCYtwU/edit

Eggs are great for keeping hairballs at bay. (Select One Answer.)

Raw eggs are great for keeping hair balls at bay. The raw lecithin in the egg actually breaks down the fats binding the fur together allowing it to pass through harmlessly. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZRszg59R15epiws13N9FOmJ924bGbjG7yw2zR2S8Lng/edit

Which parts of the egg are acceptable to feed? (Multiple Choice Answer.)

Like mentioned before, eggs are great for ferrets as they help prevent hairball blockages. They're very nutritional and are a balanced meal. Raw egg can be served either just as a yolk or the entire egg. Read here for information on eggs being safe to feed raw: http://holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/3811/raw-eggs-safe

What protein is high in Iron and Vitamin B? (Select One Answer.)

Beef is high in and vitamin B. It is recommended that ferrets receive at least one red meat per week.

Out of the following proteins, which are least likely to cause sensitivity in some ferrets? (Select One Answer.)

Lamb is the least likely to cause sensitivity in ferrets and is easy to digest.

Out of the following proteins, which are more likely to cause food sensitivity in some ferrets? (Multiple Choice Answer.)

Chicken and Beef are more likely to cause food sensitivity in some ferrets.

Your ferret is staring into space and show hind leg weakness. What might this indicate? (Select One Answer.)

Staring into space and hind leg weakness can be signs of insulinoma. For more information please view the following link: http://holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/2702

Which of these are toxic to ferrets? (Multiple Choice Answer.)

Melaleuca is another name for Tea Tree Oil, which can be found in many toothpaste products for pets. Be wary and look at any products you use for your ferrets. Xylitol (used as a sweetener)is also another one of those hidden ingredients to watch out for. Chocolate, raisins and avocados are all toxic as well. While some may not cause damage straight away, you can never be too sure so its always best to be safe then sorry. When in doubt, ask your mentor.

Choline is important for liver , metabolism and structural cell integrity. It is also an anti-inflammatory. Which of these is the best source for Choline? (Multiple Choice Answer.)

Just one egg yolk contains about 115 mg of choline while 5oz of raw liver contains 423 mg of choline.

A diet lacking in Taurine can cause blindness in ferrets. (Select One Answer.)

Taurine is used by the body in many ways, most noteworthy in the maintenance of the retina (the light-sensitive membrane on the inner surface of the eye,) A diet lacking in Taurine could very well lead to blindness in ferrets. For more information on Taurine, Have a read here: http://holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/15089/information-taurine

Ferrets are lactose intolerant. (Select One Answer.)

Ferrets are LACTOSE INTOLERANT. This means that they are unable to digest lactose, a sugar molecule found in milk. Read more: http://holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/13367/why-ferrets-get-milk-kind#ixzz3oouR4DmH

Is it okay to give ferrets Lactose Free Milk? (Select One Answer.)

Ferrets SHOULD NOT get milk of any kind. In Lactose Free milk, they ADD the enzyme Lactase to the MILK. This breaks the Big Sugar Lactose into the two smaller sugars in the milk ahead of time. For humans, this doesn't technically affect the sugar content of the milk since it is just breaking the big sugar into the little sugars, which should happen in the intestines anyways. In ferrets however who cannot handle sugar, breaking the lactose sugar up ahead of time makes the sugar AVAILABLE FOR DIGESTION. Thus by offering your ferrets lactose free milk, you are inadvertently feeding them DIGESTIBLE SUGAR which has a very strong link to INSULINOMA. Read more: http://holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/13367/why-ferrets-get-milk-kind#ixzz3ooun3q1i

What should you give as a blockage protocol to a ferret who has swallowed a foreign object? (Select One Answer.)

Blockages are serious business and if not treated can lead to death. If you suspect a blockage always do a blockage protocol by giving 1 tbsp 100% pure canned pumpkin, followed one hour later by 1 tsp vaseline. Alternate between the two every hour for 2-3 hours. For more information on blockage protocol, please read this: https://docs.google.com/document/d/145QYWoTOJlsHViwRrtqDk8wPrFtx9sBxtKU0-sCYtwU/edit

What is a seedy poop? (Select One Answer.)

Seedy poops are simply undigested fats. Too many bone in meats can result in seedy, dry and hard looking poops. See the poop chart here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16e-Ir6cjH9Kstg96axaEdoER9nWc9W5riVmD39m-zhk/edit

The rate of tooth wear for a ferret on a kibble diet is significantly faster compared to that of a ferret on a natural diet. (Select One Answer.)

All kibbles have a combination of hardness, brittleness, and abrasiveness that increases the rate of tooth wear. Read more: http://holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/8654/dental-church-kibble-destroys-teeth

Essential oils should be avoided. (Select One Answer.)

Essential oils should be avoided. Ferrets cannot process essential oils properly so it can accumulate in their livers and kidneys.