Keeping any ferret food fresh should be a concern for everyone.  Due to the
high fat content in any of the ferret foods, if not stored properly, they
could go rancid rather quickly.
 
In order to insure that our food is fresh, and I will admit, maybe I am a
bit over paranoid, I freeze all but two weeks worth of food, especially in
the summer months.  Those plastic ice cream containers work great for
storage, and they are stackable to as not to overcrowd the freezer.
 
Last spring and summer we ran a rancid test on Totally Ferret.  We placed 5
pounds in a bucket and left it open.  Here in Arizona, the air conditioning
is a must have, and we keep ours set at 80 degrees.  After about 3 months,
we began "smelling" the food.  By month 4 I would hesitate to feed it to
anything.  By month 5 we needed some serious air freshener.  But hey, to
get our answer, it was worth it!
 
Factors such as heat and humidity play a large part in how long it takes
for a food to go rancid after opened.  Living in the desert, we do not have
the humidity problems most of you have.  My *guess* is that the opened food
would spoil a lot faster, although I do not know how fast, in warmer more
humid conditions.  Therefore, if you live in one of these climates, at the
very least refrigerate your ferret food, no matter what the brand.
 
Another little factor most of us don't think about: Make sure to wash your
food bowls thoroughly.  You will notice the oily build up on the bottom of
the bowl.  This is oils from the food.  Just like food can go rancid, so
can the oil in the bowl.  The result, your ferret may not eat because the
bowl stinks.
 
My luv to the fuzzies!
 
Kathy Goodhart
Goodhart's Little Buddies
Only the Best for Our Little Buddies!
 
5-pound Totally Ferret just $17.99 including shipping!
www.ferretgoodies.com or www.ferretgoodys.com
[Posted in FML issue 2562]