While the whole/live prey debate has YET AGAIN become totally
irritating and nauseating at this point, I do have to throw in my 
two cents......don't I always? LOL

I had a ferret, Cedes, who was surrendered to me at 6 y.o. (with
documentation). He had been fed crappy cat food his entire life. He had
the most gorgeous, soft, luxurious coat I had ever seen on a ferret. It
took me about 4 months to get him onto decent ferret kibble. Cedes
lived to 10 1/2 years and we had to euthanize him in the end. He didn't
die on his own. As far as I know (I take in rescues), he is my only one
to surpass 10 years. There may have been others since aging is a
guessing game.

I have had several others, kibble-fed, who lived to 9+ years. I have
had any number who will scale a 4' cage several times a day (they never
seem to figure out how to get down). They run and tumble and play and
talk and squeal. They climb up my leg, they come to me for hugs and
scritches (see.....they don't hate me for feeding them kibble). I never
see them chewing on rubbery things (I do have one who likes to chew on
my buttons). I just trimmed everyone's nails and they were long and
thick and healthy, after only two weeks growth. And, I've always been
amused at how they come running when I top off the food bowls (kibble),
because there has been food there the whole time. LOL

Let's let people decide for themselves without cramming it either way
down their throats.

Kim (forgewizard)----can you provide information on your whole/live
prey ferrets who have lived beyond 10 years? No? How about five years?
Maybe three?
 
Katharine 
Florida

[Posted in FML 6243]