Cindy:
 
While I understand that a food allergy in a ferret is rare, it is possible.
My Elliott has a food allergy apparently to chicken.  He was a rescue and
was on a chicken base food when I acquired him, but several months later, he
started scratching like crazy.
 
After ruling out mites, parasites, skin infections, etc, it was suggested
that I take him off chicken and use a turkey base food.  (Proplan
Turkey/Barley).  In just 3 weeks, he was a different ferret.
 
He stopped scratching, his fur became shiney and soft again, and his skin
cleared up.  I've also included Iams Lamb/Rice now to give him more of a
variety.
 
Elliott is 5 years old this year, and is doing very well on the
Turkey/Barley-Lamb/Rice mix - when I give him baby food, I give him Turkey
rather than chicken - occasionally, he'll eat some of the regular mix that
is chicken base (steals it -ya know how they are!), and will almost
immediately start scratching like crazy, so I am convinced he has a true
food allergy.
 
It takes about 3 weeks to notice a difference - if you don't see a
difference by then, it's probably not a food allergy - but you should give
it at least 3 weeks.
 
Debbie Riccio
WNYFLFA
Rochester, NY
[Posted in FML issue 1509]