Dear Wayne; ([log in to unmask])
  I've had fuzzies to care for some 5 years now, so maby this will help.. These
are only my experiences, not law.
   They seem to do grooming (the "biting & scratching") as normal behavior. I
think they're spreading the oils in their coat, as well as cleaning like a cat.
I have stopped worrying as long as there is no damage.
   The only things "human food wise" mine like are raisens.  A bit of banana
might be accepted, but when I shake the can of raisens they come running!
If you can find Ferretone, it has different things than linatone, & in the 16oz
bottle can even be cheaper ($9.95 here at pet smart). I figure it's formulated
just for them so should be better suited. I put about a tsp in the super food
mix for Timmy & the others finish the bowl in quick order.  If Farrah is eating
the dry food & you can get totally ferret or the best cat food you would not be
afraid to eat yourself (judging from the ingredient list) she should be in
pretty good shape.  I find it good to recognize they are individuals & have
individual preferences.  Two of mine have started liking KT Ferret food but the
others won't touch it, So there are now 3 different bowls of food in the cage.
   The chin wiping on the rug I find is not saying the food or oil tasts bad
but they really like to be neat, & this is just clean up action.  When I syring
feed Timmy (no needle) he has to pause every so often if some dribbles on his
chin to be wiped with a klenex, and even that is not enough sometimes & he has
to get down to the rug & wipe 'til his happy it's done properly.  Then he
stretches, yawns & rubs his face just looking happy to be alive.
   Ferrets like to sleep and like to be cozy. In fact they seem to enjoy it
so much I wish sometimes I was small enough to cuddle up with them.  I spoil
mine & the temp. is always between 72 and 82.  Since they are low to the floor,
when it's winter I got a few cheap but 4 layers thick ski hats at walmart & they
cozy up in them. Easily washable also.
   Litterbox training is more like they train us.  What corner they use I
put a pan in or paper towels to make things easier.  In the cage I use scoopable
from target (16 lbs. in a jug for $3.99, about 1/2 the cost of pet stores.
 
   Timmy is now nibbling on Whiskas Kitnips cat treats!  I'm glad as it will
help keep his teeth cleaner, & has liver, chicken, beef, fish, & spray dried
blood (?) that are animal proteins, though it is low fat (4%), so I will
certainly continue the Deliver 2.0 in his super food.   Deliver 2.0 replaced
Isocal HCN & was prescribed by Dr. Susan Brown as having no real substitute.  I
read in the Ducksoup.txt an analyisis saying that it has twice the calories per
oz. than sustical has, which is important to the little guys.  The only problem
with the treats is they cost $.79 for a 1.1 oz. pkg & one of the kitties think
they're good too.  Oh well.
 
   Hope this eases some concerns,  Ferret kisses,   Gary & friends
[Posted in FML issue 1137]