*sorry if this is a re-send -- we've been having mailer problems, and every-
thing's getting bounced*
 
 
 
I am new to the FML, and a new ferret owner as well.  I was hoping other FML
readers could help me with the problem of tubby ferrets, and clear up some
questions i have about ferret diabetes and any links to overweightness....
 
My ferrets, both approx. 6 months old (Ehrlenmeier is a silver-mitt male;
Beaker is a beautiful sable female), were started out on Iames kitten food
(the purple bag), and on the advice of my vet, were switched to Science Diet
maintenence because Ehrl was getting fat.  Beaker seems to have less of an
appetite, so I tried feeding them separately so that Ehrl couldn't hog all
the food.  First problem: Beaker will only eat when Ehrl is in the cage with
her, and if food is in the cage with Ehrl, he will eat it.  And he does.
 
Second problem: I'm not sure how much food they should be getting.  When they
were still growing, the vet said to feed them as much as they would eat.  But
they're not getting any larger -- only wider -- and I get the feeling that they
shouldn't have food around all day.  Any suggestions on proper food amounts
would be greatly appreciated.
 
The vet also mentioned that fat ferrets are in danger of developing diabetes.
What is the link there?  And how would I know if they became diabetic?  The
last FML had an article mentioning the amount of water a ferret drank, but
Beaker & Ehrl live together, I have no way of knowing who's drinking how much,
or even how much they _should_ be drinking.
 
Another, unrelated question: I'd like to take the ferrets with me on short day
trips (I enjoy walks in the woods, along rivers, etc; and think they would,
too) but I'm not sure what to do about their habit of doing their business
whenever (and sometimes wherever) they please.  I've heard of people carrying
their fuzzies around in backpacks -- is there a way of keeping them from
soiling them?
 
Thanks in advance.
 
 
[Posted in FML issue 0775]