Just sitting around with nothing to do, yea right, well avoiding what I have
to do.  Thought I would share some handy tips I have been given and/or
discovered on my own.  And since I seem to have a major masochistic streak
(no comments please), I was thinking if anyone liked the idea, I might put
together a sheet of all the handy tips from the wide experience of the FML.
So if you have any great tips, even if you have shared already, send them on
to me and I will put them together.
 
Litter--Well, finally moved to a place that is cold enough for the stores to
stock wood stove pellets.  If you can get them, use them!  I have tried
alfalfa pellets and newspaper and neither was a big hit.  With 19 this is a
major problem.  But my hit rate has gone up dramatically since I switched a
week ago from regular clay, from around 20% up to about 75%.  It has
absolutely no smell and gets rid of all smell in the box, including the
smell of cat's urine.
 
I do have a question, for those who use it, any tips on scooping?
 
Toys--Some of the best toys I have found are in the baby department at
Target and Toys R Us.  My guys just love the soft terry cloth rattles made
for babies.  They also like a remotely bear shaped hard rubber teether I got
at Toys R Us.  Everything is made to be washed.  And wash them I do as well
as give them a different set of toys at least every few days if not daily.
I have several $1 boxes with the days labeled on them, each full of ferret
toys.  The guys feel like its Christmas when I switch them out.  (Thanks to
Bob for that tip)
 
Treats--want to make sure raisins go down smooth?  Take a small jar half
full of safflower oil and fill with raisins.  Let them soak and you have a
great treat for your guys.  (Thanks to Trish for that tip)
 
Wonder if Ferretone is good or bad? Smell it. It is a fat and just like all
cooking oil (you might want to check yours) it will go rancid. Trust me, you
can tell when it does. It just plain smells bad. Oil should have no to a
slightly sweet smell.
 
Vet Visits--take some Ferretone or raisins with you to distract the ferret
while being examined.  I usually put a little on the exam table, show the
ferret, who then doesn't care much what they do to the other end.  Makes
taking their temps a lot eaiser!
 
Mo' Maggie and the 19 hairy harrassers
[Posted in FML issue 1760]