>From:    William Alan Killian <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Cheapest decent ferret litter
>
>Another inexpensive but less 'useful' for odor control is crushed corn
>cob litter also used for birds.
 
I've seen several people in this area who have had terrible problems with
corn cob litter.  My own ferret got aspiration pneumonia when he inhaled a
small piece, which then expanded after it got wet.  It was a very ugly
process that involved a TINY scope/grabber that looked like something used
in an arthroscopy.  The breeders in Rockford have pretty much written off
corn cob litter and most of the pet stores refer people to hardwood chips
instead.
 
I had used the corncob litter for a couple years before, but after what
happened to Boing and hearing about similar occurrences, I stopped
immediately and switched to shredded newspaper and hardwood chips (which are
cheaper than corncob anyway).  The fact that it expands when wet is what
ultimately irritated my carpet shark.
 
Plea for help: Two of my ferrets (5 months old) have become free-fall
specialists.  I have not been able to hood/shoulder-train them at all--they
revel in taking flying leaps from my shoulders, regardless of what's at the
bottom waiting for them.  Anyone have some tips in breaking them of this
potentially harmful habit?  I've always had ferrets I can take rollerblading
with me, but these two are oblivious to common sense!
 
BTW, I'd like to add my note of thanks to the vets on here who offer their
advice for no charge.  It's a shame that people actually have a problem with
that.  This is one of the most useful mailing lists I'm on and it reminds me
every day how happy I am to be a multiple-ferret owner.
 
--Chuck Renaud <[log in to unmask]>
[Posted in FML issue 1465]