Well, either ferret coats can change rapidly when they're young, or
the lighting was different last time, or I have been hallucinating. I paid
another visit to those 'medium grey' ferrets today (my last visit was last
Thursday), and they looked a lot more like the photos I've seen of ordinary
sables than I remember. Still on the grey side, but more of a greyish brown.
Oh, well, I had a bad cold at the time; maybe it's 'cause I was doped up on
Contac C :-) (Don't worry; I know ferrets can catch people colds, so I just
watched them through the pet store window).
      I was watching them play today; it seemed awfully rough. Do all kits
play with such enthusiasm?
 
[yup.  No cause for concern unless they draw blood]
 
                 I would have sworn they were hurting each other,
but after a few minutes they had a little to eat, piled into their bed box
(on top of each other) and went to sleep. I guess ferret skins are a lot
tougher than you might first think.
 
[Our vet says that their skin is tougher than pigskin]
 
                       Still, if they played that way with me
I'd count my fingers when we were done (ok, I'm exaggerating).
      While we're on the subject of young ferrets, I was wondering about
their diet. I've read in the newsletters that Science Diet dry for cats,
supplemented with canned 1-3 times/week is good for adults. Do kits have
different nutritional requirements? If so, what are they, and at what age
would you consider them adults with regards to diet? I want to be sure I
know how to take care of a ferret *before* I buy one.
 
                                                                -John Rosloot-
 
[Posted in FML issue 0240]