Hey there guys!  There has been some talk about produce.  I'd just like
to address this topic:
 
The thing is, ferrets don't have the ability to digest, absorb or handle
fruits very well.  The fruit contains sugar, which is bad for little
ferret bodies.  It can create a rise and drop of blood sugar instead of
stabilizing it.  So too much could be very harmful.  The other bad thing
about these foods is the fact that it can, and has, cause a blockage.
The fruit or veggie pieces which are hard, such as carrot, raw potato,
etc.  have the potential to get stuck in the body.  So please shy away
from these, at least.
 
After saying that, I do believe that SOMETIMES in MODERATION (I'm talking
less than half a teaspoon a month) it can be beneficial.  How?  Different
smells and tastes are considered enrichment for a ferrets' senses.
Here's what I do:
 
About once every month or so I take a plate out and put a tiny, tiny drop
of peanut butter, a cooked green bean (the favorite, actually), fresh
pumpkin for fall, tomato sauce, babyfood, and maybe a tiny m&m sized
drop of mashed banana.  All my five spend about 5 minutes checking the
enrichment plate out!
 
If you're not comfortable giving your ferrets these things, here are some
other smell-related enrichment activites I do:
 
  -Place a drop of perfume on a corner inside of a paper bag and let them
    explore.
 
  -Let them explore a fast food, greasy bag.
 
  -Drop various liquids into the bottom corners of a bag. I put lightly
   scented oil in there, rub some olive oil soap in it, etc.
 
Krista and her five fuzzy kids:)
Interested in saving the lives of animals?  Visit
http://www.veganoutreach.org/index.html or email me for more info.
[Posted in FML issue 5228]