I was asked to post this letter, written jointly by a New Hampshire Ferret
Owner's Coalition and Dr. Judith Bell, concerning the use of wood chips for
ferret bedding.  It was written to inform Pet Stores and owners of the
inadvisability of using wood chips as bedding.
---
 
A clarification is needed concerning the picture of ferrets on wood chips
that is in one of the publications put out by Marshall Pet Products.  The
chips shown are NOT pine or cedar but are aspen chips or shred, a product
that is heat treated to sterilize it.
 
Aspen chips are relatively dust free and odor free.  Pine chips may be moldy
and dusty.  Pine chips carry bacteria that can cause urinary problems in
ferrets ( Proteus species and others ) and molds that can cause problems with
the respiratory tract and the eyes of the ferret.
 
Ferrets do not come from Marshall Farms with the 'colds' found in the
petshops of New Hampshire.  It is what the animals are being bedded on that
is causing the respiratory problems.  Keeping a ferret or any other small
animal in an aquarium has a new set of problems.  The damp and stale air
causes respiratory prblems.  The dampness is caused by the animals' own
urine!  It is unsanitary and unhealthy to keep any animal except a fish
in an aquarium.
 
 In conclusion, please use the Plexiglas product that is provided by Marshall
Pet or a large cage that has corncob bedding in it to prevent these problems
if your shop sells ferrets.  Corncob bedding is dust-free and safe.  Add one
litter box, some sleep sacks or sleep tubes or a small plastic box and your
ferret kits or adults will be happy and healthy future pets.  It is advisable
to keep the cage out of reach of small fingers.  When you take your ferret
home, please be sure to keep your pet in a large cage with old towels or
corncob bedding so that no harm comes to your pet's paws, lungs, eyes or
urinary system.
 
[Original signed by:]
 
Beverly Briggs  ( N.H.F.O.C. )
Dr. Judith A. Bell DVM, PhD ( Marshall Farms Staff Veterinarian ) .
[Posted in FML issue 1259]