Ensure has vitamins.... not well balanced for ferrets, tho... pet vitamins
are a much better balance.
 
It has sugars.  It's protein & fat content is vegetable-based (not
digestable for ferrets).
 
Why is it recommended for ferrets?.... Because vets often recommend it for
sick dogs & cats... and since they recommended it for dogs & cats, many
STILL recommend it for ferrets, too.... overlooking the fact that UNLIKE
dogs & cats, ferrets are obligate carnivores that have a digestive cycle
that's too fast to break down vegetable nutrients.
 
For critically ill ferrets, sugars are given... like glucose in an IV, or
Nutrical, to keep sugar in the blood stream.
 
For non-critical ferrets there are a number of more nutrition-effective
foods; foods that provide nutrition without wasting room in the stomach.
When a ferret is sick every drop of food counts because it is often very
difficult to get a sick ferret to eat.
 
Ensure is NOT a suitable food even for healthy ferrets.  This includes
Stat (pet product) and ANY similar product which contains SOY or vegetable
proteins as it's protein source.
 
Chicken baby food is the top choice for sick ferret nutrition.  It can be
used as the ONLY food for several MONTHS if necessary.  Add a couple of
drops of a liquid pet vitamin if you're concerned about vitamins.
 
It's that simple.  There's no need to run yourself ragged with fancy,
complicated recipes that are less nutritious than something you only
have to open, warm, & stir.
 
If you've got that much time to waste, spend it holding your sick ferret,
not in the kitchen whipping up something that won't help make him well.
 
Debi Christy
Ferrets First Foster Home
 
Practical & easy training, care, & maintenance articles available at
http://www.geocities.com/ferretsfirst/
[Posted in FML issue 3845]