to:    Angi <>
 
>>Have you all seen those "ferret starter kits" that come with wire-mesh
outdoor type rabbit cages or particularly with a stash of pine or cedar
shavings for bedding?  Why do we all know this is bad for our fuzzies but the
pet stores are ignorant of this fact? Has anyone approached a pet store about
this? How could you go about trying to get them to change their ways? What
info could I take to them, and from what "authority" that might make some
impression?  What acceptable alternatives could be proposed?<<
 
Several ditties on this one from me.....
 
First, Hagen is changing their "ferret starter kit" from cedar shavings to
pine, which is better.
 
Cages that have a drop through floor can be considered "acceptable" since the
ferrets don't really get their noses in the chips too much.
 
Talk NICELY to pet shop managers and take a ferret club newsletter with you
discussing the hazards of chips with ferrets (STAR* has an article available
if your newsletter wants one to print or you don't have a club newsletter).
 Chips, when swallowed, make blockages, constipation, throat and intestinal
irritations, etc.  Breathing in cedar for extended amounts of time causes
inflamation of the mucus mambranes and makes eating and drinking difficult.
 E-mail [log in to unmask] for a great cedar chip story.
 
Encourage the shop manager to subscribe FREE to either The Pet Dealer (I
write the small animal articles for that publication - 2 University Plaza -
Suite 11, Hackensack, NJ 07601) or to Pet Business (Susan Fox writes their
small animal articles and is very good - 5400 NW 84th Ave, Miami, FL 33166).
These are for PET SHOP businesses ONLY - sorry people, you can't subscribe
unless you want to pay $25 & $24 a year respectfully.
Anyway, these trade publications give more authority to the line "DON'T USE
wood chips".
 
Give pet shops a copy of the mini-FAQ to be passed out or contact STAR* for
material I can e-mail that you can run off yourself for distribution.
 
Pam
[Posted in FML issue 1191]