[Robert B. Raymond had a dry-skin ferret, and another ferret getting his
pill/food with honey]
 
I think the answer to both your questions is:  Ferretone (or Linatone,
whatever).
 
A little ferretone a day seems to help improve coat texture, dryness, etc.
Avon Skin-So-Soft and Pert Children's Shampoo seem to have their proponents
on the FML, too.  Also, keep in mind that the biggest change in coats comes
(surprise!) at coat change time, which usually happens in the fall and
spring, but is sometimes skipped if the ferrret isn't completely healthy or
isn't able to synchronize to natural light.
 
It's also an excellent mixer for even bitter pills.  Just crush the pill up
(say between two spoons) and mix it with the ferretone.  All our guys hoover
the mixture up, pill and all.  Also, hand feeding several times daily can
help get more food into a ferret than he would eat on his own.
 
Good Ferreting!
Dennis
[Posted in FML issue 1259]