Hi all! I'm new here to the FML, so I guess introductions are in order.

My name is Cheryl, and I got my first ferret, Peanut, back in 1982.
Since then, I have shared my life with many more of these sweet little
furballs. I am currently Mom to 11, all rescues, special needs, and
unwanted surrenders (although I dont believe that would be the correct
term, as I WANT them all!). I just could not imagine life without these
guys.

I would like to reply to the posts about ferrets chewing their bedding.
Over the years, I have encountered this many times. I am very picky as
to what kind of material I put down for bedding, but I have found that
heavy denim is the best deterrent to this kind of behavior.. One day I
cut off some bluejeans to make shorts, and thought they would enjoy the
legs, so in the cages they go! They had a blast playing in them, and
when they tired out, I would find them all sleeping inside. It didnt
take me long to notice that, of all their bedding, the jeans were the
only things not chewed up. Although I found that denim is great for
ferrets, its just not as soft and cushy, it just lays there flat. Thats
when this big bright lightbulb went off in my head, and I started
searching for someone who makes denim bedding. I googled, and I ebayed,
and could find absolutely nothing! Long story short, I went and bought
a brand new sewing machine and a bolt of heavy denim. Mind you now, I
havent sewed anything more than a button on since high school home
economics way back in the '70's, so I had to basically teach myself how
to sew all over again. 2 days later, my brand new sewing machine was
toast. I took it back to the dealer, and they told me... duh!!!,. you
need an industrial strength machine if you want to sew something that
thick and heavy, and no, we cant refund your money because you abused
your sewing machine and stripped all the gears, but hey, you can pay
more to have this one repaired than its original cost, or we can sell
you a new one!....No Thanks!!!

So, I did some homework, and finally purchased an industrial strength,
all metal machine, and started over again! It took lots of denim, and
even more determination, but I finally came up with the perfect
solution.

All my babies now sleep on super soft padded, quilted denim. Not only
does it deter chewing, it's also machine washable, and much more odor
resistant than all the other bedding that I had purchased over the
years.I have yet to have anyone get a nail snagged on it. And an added
bonus is that it is so durable, it outlasts every other type of bedding
available! I have donated several pieces to shelters and others who
have fabric eating ferrets and everyone has been thrilled with it! The
responses I have received back from people have encouraged me to start
selling custom cage mats and such. They look GREAT in the cages, and
for those ferrets who dont chew bedding, I combine the denim with other
colorful fabric to make reversible bedding and mats. Adds some color to
the cages, and safety and comfort for the fuzzies.

Heck, if I can do it so can you! 
Cheryl

[Posted in FML 5842]