>What has been your experience with returning your ferrets who have been
>on soft food (only hand-fed) to a normal eating schedule (hard food)?
 
Usually takes several weeks.  Don't rush the process.
 
>How do you wean them off special treatment?
 
I usually start with baby food, then duck soup mixed 50/50 with baby food,
slowly decreasing the baby food until it is straight duck soup.  At all
times after this, kibble is available.  Then I start increasing the
percentage of powdered kibble in the duck soup, and decrease the number
of feedings, though still feeding as much as the ferret wants per feeding.
I usually find that they start picking at the kibble in between feedings.
Once that happens, I start backing off on the amount, unless it is an
insulinoma case.  Those fellows I keep on twice daily supplements of duck
soup or baby food for the rest of their days.
 
>Will she ever return to hard food or will I have to hand-feed her
>forever?
 
It takes awhile, but you can get her switched back.
 
-Dr. Karen
 
DISCLAIMER:
This e-mail is provided for general informational purposes only.  It is
in no way intended as a replacement for a consultation with a qualified
licensed veterinarian.  If you are concerned about your pet's health, you
should seek the advice of your regular veterinarian as soon as possible.
[Posted in FML issue 3539]