"Science" started when humans trudged erect and began to wonder (and
wander)! The very thought (philosophy) about a subject is the beginning
of science. In simple terms science is investigating ideas, figuring
out what makes things "tick". But when one thing is figured out,
another question is raised and often times what you thought was a
defined answer gets redefined as more input comes along, or the
question gets rephrased. IF scientific studies actually offered finite
proof then WHY do all these researched, studied ,tested, certified
and approved products get recalled, or improved, or revised? Why do
original scientific studies get revisited? Waiting for a scientific
study to prove what, for the ferret, Mother Nature has already figured
out - would be ludicrous. Some think it ludicrous that others are
willing to put the health of their companions in the hands of
profiteers and ad marketers.

Ferrets have been living with man for what has been determined about
2500 years. Originally employed as vermin control (still working as
such in several countries) but the ferret family has been evolving for
eons. Thriving on natural food long before cereals and kibbles were
marketed, that IS FACT!

Like it or not, another fact is that countless ferrets have met their
demise from employment by the modern scientific community for the
benefit of humankind simply because ferrets DO have amazing
physiological and neurological as well as endocrinal similarities with
humans! Says so here:
<http://www.genome.gov/Pages/Research/Sequencing/SeqProposals/FerretSeq.pdf>

(Excerpted Abstract): "The six areas of biomedical research that most
commonly use ferrets (cystic fibrosis, influenza and other respiratory
diseases, lung cancer, reproductive and fetal biology, neuroscience,
and specific forms of cancer) are collectively responsible for over 12
billion dollars of funding from the National Institutes of Health alone
for 2006. This total represents about 44% of the NIH annual grant
monies. Additionally, ferrets have the potential of becoming an
important system for drug and vaccine development, including validation
and toxicity studies."

Many vaccines for humans have come about using ferrets as models. As
recently as Jan 2012 a halt was placed upon research using ferrets as
transmission models for a SCIENTIFICALLY CREATED variant of the H1N1
(Bird Flu) virus - labeled H5N1. The 60 day halt called because of real
concerns about the possibility of the virus being transported into the
general populace! Check it out here:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/758880

Too little has been scientifically defined about the ferret itself,
certainly not enough to bolster kibble manufacturers advertisements
that their food is adequate, nutritionally complete or beneficial!
Ever look into the AAFCO requirements for pet foods (none done for
ferrets)?
http://wdcusick.com/04.html

check out the AAFCO site itself
http://www.aafco.org/
and how they say its up to the STATES to regulate the pet foods - all
the AAFCO does is establish nutritional requirements - but they have
NOT done so for ferrets - only cats and dogs.

Go to the NRC (National Research Council) page
<http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=National%20Research%20Council%20Committee%20on%20Animal%20Nutrition>
and the closest thing available is diets for mink and foxes (of course
to benefit pelt production).

Too many people express their views that the terrible maladies
considered NORMAL for ferrets is attributable to genetic shortcomings
instead of the tremendous daily stress placed upon ferrets by early
altering, unnatural housing/lighting, and indigestible foods! Feed and
house the way you want - but don't chalk up the ferret's troubles to
genetics or classify the problems as "NORMAL" when the poor ferret
doesn't even get the chance to be a ferret!

With all these ferrets being used for research and considering the
NEW discoveries being made regarding the eCB and it's influence on an
organism's development, stress handling, digestion, and well being -
just what research findings would be changed if the ferrets were left
intact until fully mature and were housed naturally AND were fed
naturally?

New people venture into the ferret world daily. These new folks often
have no clue and the ONLY info they get is from the pet store associate
and the kibble bag ads! Some folks have been doing the same thing for
years and think that what their ferrets endure is normal. The ferrets
end up paying the price for such lack of information. The FML is
supposed to be a place where EVERYONE can share info - not just a few
to monopolize. Its amazing how so many are opposed to learning.

Food is an integral part of an organism's health, vitality and well
being. If you want to stick your fingers in your ears, blindfold
yourself, bury your head in the sand - then scroll past! Claiming
annoyance when posts disseminate thought provoking ideas (bolstered
with scientific data links) only shows an unwillingness to learn. Food
for ferrets is a consistent topic because many people do want to offer
the best they can for their beloved companion. Open minds broaden
horizons, is yours open?

Cheers,
Kim

please visit:
for ferret help and info:
http://holisticferret.proboards60.com/index.cgi
http://ferretopia.proboards51.com/index.cgi
yahoo groups Natural Ferrets

[Moderator's note: OK, time start wrapping up the food debate. One or
two days more and if it gets nowhere, as it always does, I'll have to
start rejecting posts. Thanks! BIG]

[Posted in FML 7354]