Hey,
Teresa et al-- just to ease your mind about my plucking/hurting my
ferrets- I do not pull shedding hair because of the scratching
 
I pull shedding hair for health maintenance reasons
 
Last year one of my males had adrenal surgery and at the time my vet
discovered a 2" long hair ball in my boys belly.  I was so shocked &
horrified-he actually saved it for me to see!
 
I believed I had been doing such a good job with my brood-in terms of
preventing hairballs-brushing, cleaning the cage & bedding, giving
hairball remedies-etc.
 
I understand your concern-I must tell you---so you do not worry--the word
plucking was a poor choice on my part--it suggests images of a chickens
feathers ripped from them.  When my babies first start to shed in the
Spring & Fall it is very evident--the hair is practically falling out.
This is not a one time deal it is something I do a bit everyday for weeks
at a time.
 
For me, and again I need to stress this is just what works for me-This
process I do has proven a lot faster, less stressful or painful than the
continual combing & brushing I used to do to prevent hairballs.  I have
gotten quite efficient at it.  It is a on going process-every time I pick
someone up during the shedding seasons--I pull any loose fur.  They do
not even notice anymore.  At first -it was a new sensation for them-but
now they really do not mind and it is not painful.
 
I do not do this as a replacement for all the other hairball prevention I
do--I still give them HB remedy and wash their bedding often.
 
I hope this helps :)
Mary Ann
[Posted in FML issue 4406]