Dear Ferret Folks-
You can. You absolutely can. Some of you may know the name Jacquie
Rodgers. She and I have been trying to think of some ways to get the
message out that there has been what amounts to a war declared against
the manufacturers of unsafe ferret treats and kibble mixes. Jacqui has
been gathering the names and contact information of people who have
reason to believe that at their ferrets have been injured or killed by
eating things that just don't belong in a ferret's mouth, like dehydrated
fruit chunks, dried vegetables, nut chunks, or some of the really low
grade meat jerkies out there on the market. These substances can cause
intestinal blockages that can kill in hours. Occasionally they clear on
their own, but all too often the only recourse is surgery. She may be
filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of owners whose ferrets have been
injured or killed by these unsafe items in their treats of kibbled diet.
Think. Off of the top of your head, do you know the symptoms of an
intestinal blockage? Your ferret can't tell you. He can only look at
you with those liquid, trusting eyes, and hope that his hoomin will
make it better, soon. Sometimes soon doesn't come soon enough. Can
you stand the thought? I can't. Not for a minute.
Here is the problem. A ferret is an obligate carnivore. That means they
eat meat, and meat products, period. That's what they are designed to
do. But like a little child, they will put things in their mouth that
are simply not good for them. They don't know any better. The makers
of ferret treats and kibbled diets often want to market products that
look tasty and appealing to humans, so they add "sweets" and "healthy
vegetables", peanut butter and yogurt coatings.
Well, a ferret doesn't even have a structure called a cecum,that is in
humans, the part of the colon with the widest diameter, and vital to the
digestion of fiber. Dried fruits and vegetables, and nut chunks are
mostly fiber, and FERRETS CAN'T DIGEST THEM. At all. They can't derive
any nutrition from them. Best case scenario, the fiber passes right
through them, and comes out the other end. Worst case scenario, the
poorly chewed chunks enter the intestines almost exactly as they left
the mouth (ferret teeth are designed to shred and shear meat, not mince
dried pineapple) and block the intestine. It doesn't help that the
ferret digestive system has a fast transit time. What they eat goes
through them very quickly, and something very tough like fiber just
doesn't get broken down. The meat diet they were designed to eat is
much easier to digest, even in kibbled form.
So how can you make a difference? Write the manufacturers of these
unhealthy treats and kibbled diets, and tell them that we want the
dehydrated fruit, vegetables, nut chunks, and high sugar items like
yougirt and peanut butter (the high sugar content is suspected to
contribute to insulinoma in the ferret) OUT of our ferret's food!
Write the retailers and tell them we would like to see healthy treats
and kibbled diets on the shelves!
They are listening. Between the campaign that the International Ferret
Congress and Jacqui Rodgers have waged for reform, what was probably the
worst of the bunch, Kaytee Fiesta for Ferrets, has been removed for sale
from the Ferret Depot, and they have put up a warning linking the product
to intestinal blockages and a high sugar content. The Ferret Store is
no longer carrying it, either, and has issued its' own warning.
Would you like a list of treats and kibbled diets currently deemed safe?
Would you be interested in information about Jacquie Rodger's class
action lawsuit on behalf of ferrets injured or killed by dehydrated
fruit, vegetables, or nuts?
Please write mail [log in to unmask]
She has a spam blocker, so write "ferret" in the subject line, and it
will go through.
She can also help you with a few few form letters, if you would like to
write a manufacturer or retailer.
So can I [log in to unmask]
The more letters we can get to them, the harder they will listen, just
like the APHIS standards letters. We can make a difference.
Here are some treats and diets considered unsafe:
NOT RECOMMENDED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES -
THESE ITEMS ALL CONTAIN DANGEROUS DEHYDRATED FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS or
MEATS or BLOCKAGE POTENTIAL:
*************************************************************************
The following contain dehydrated fruit or vegetable pieces and/or nuts:
(ANY food or treat with pieces of dehydrated FRUITS or NUTS OF ANY KIND
are blockage hazards are always "NO-NO's" without exception
Dehydrated Fruits, whole or pieces: as plant proteins, they are not
digested and are blockage material
Kaytee Fiesta Ferret Food
Kaytee Select Blend Ferret Food
Kaytee Ferret Fun Treat Stick
Nuts of any kind: as plant proteins, they are not digested and are
blockage material.
8 in 1 Chicken Ferret Bites
8 in 1 Ferret Fruit Cakes
8 in 1 Ferret Peanut Butter Crunch
8 in 1 Ferret Fruit Frenzy
8 in 1 Fruit & Crunch
8 in 1 Marshmallow Cakes
Super Pet Nutri-Nibbles (dehydrated papaya centers)
**(for now) Any FM Brown Brand Food & Treats (appear to have dried
fruits and nuts and there is inadequate information regarding contents;
in addition to much inaccurate ferret information on their website) They
are not replying to emails requesting more information on their products.
**(for now) Any VitaKraft Brand Food & Treats (appear to have dried fruit
and there is inadequate information regarding contents; in addition to
much inaccurate ferret information on their website) They are not
replying to emails requesting more information on their products.
*************************************************************************
THE ABOVE LISTS HAVE BEEN COMPILED FROM A VARIETY OF RELIABLE VETERINARY
SOURCES. THE LIST IS NOT COMPLETE - THERE ARE STILL SOME OUT THERE THAT
ARE NOT ON THIS LIST, BUT HOPEFULLY AS FERRET OWNERS WHO NOW KNOW WHAT
TO LOOK FOR AND WILL NOW READ LABELS, YOU ARE PREPARED TO MAKE BETTER
CHOICES, WHICH MAY WELL SAVE THE LIVES OF YOUR FERRETS.
List compiled by Jacquie Rodgers and updated 1-18-06, with the help and
guidance of various veterinary information sites and advice, along with
ferret health specialists. If you come across a listing you disagree
with, or something you believe should be added, please don't hesitate
to email me with full ingredient and manufacturer information on the
product. If we all work together, we CAN make this a safer place for
ferrets everywhere!
Jacquie Rodgers (just a determined and concerned ferret mom)
Current as of 01-15-
Here are some manfacturers and retailers you can contact directly.
Right now they seem to be manufacturing most of the worst treats.
8 in 1:
EMAIL: [log in to unmask]
ONLINE FORM TO CONTACT KAYTEE:
http://www.kaytee.com/ask_the_experts/contact_us/
ONLINE FORM TO CONTACT WALMART:
http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=221
FM BROWN EMAIL: [log in to unmask]
PET CARE CENTRAL.COM EMAIL: [log in to unmask]
ONLINE FORM TO CONTACT PETCO:
http://www.petco.com/Content/ContactUs.aspx?PC=contactus&Nav=
PETSMART EMAIL: [log in to unmask]
FERRETMART.COM EMAIL: [log in to unmask]
*******************************************
WHEW! I hope I never write an e-mail that long again! I wouldn't, if I
didn't think of that ferret, wishing his hoomin would make it better....
Alexandra in MA
Communications Coordinator
International Ferret Congress
[Posted in FML issue 5128]
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