>From:    Laura Kline <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: cancer/diet/Raid/
 
>Ethoxiquin is a preservative used in Iams and other pet foods.  Apparently
>it is a cancer causing agent.  I am no longer using the Iams and will be
>removing the little bit of Chef's Blend they get in a few days... am now
>mixing Totally Ferret and Marshals.  I'ld like to have a third food to mix
>in.  I've heard of 8 in 1 ...
 
I use a mix of Totally Ferret, L'Avian and 8-in-1 for variety.  We started
with Marshall's, which gave the rats very loose stools and was easily
confused with their litter, which has the same shape.
 
We dumped the Marshall's and went to 8-in-1 exclusively, which made a HUGE
difference in all four of the weasels.  Their fur became much softer, they
produced a lower amount of stool and it wasn't confused with pelleted
litter.  >insert standard "I don't work for them, I'm just a satisfied
customer" disclaimer<
 
We added L'Avian based on recommendations from a couple breeders in the
area.  However, I've been recently told that it's not a particularly good
choice (I think it had something to do with the amount of corn-related
ingredients).  Anyone have any input on L'Avian?  Unfortunately I don't have
the bag anymore to check out the ingredients list.
 
I just started using Totally Ferret about a week ago after I FINALLY found
someone who carries it locally.  The bonus in this whole deal is that I've
found an extremely impressive ferret shelter in the process (FAIR in
Westchester, IL) that has two new volunteers (I start "training" tomorrow
>snort<).  It's also located a block from Midwest Exotics, which is the only
vet in the area who is willing to touch my sugar gliders.
 
So far the ferrets eat all three foods without picking out particular
brands.  Marshall's is the only food that's caused me any problems to date.
 
The ethoxyquin debate was brought to my attention when L'Avian was
recommended to me.  The company provided copies of a report with free
samples of the food--it pretty much said that while there isn't 100% proof
ethoxyquin causes cancer, why take the chance?  Well, I don't really know
how valid the whole debate is, but I feed Iams to the sugar gliders and no
controversy on the topic has come up yet in those circles.
 
Unrelated question:
 
I couldn't find an authoritative answer on this--what is (if any) the
difference between Ferretone and Linatone?  I'm curious if I can use
Ferretone with the gliders.
 
TIA,
  Chuck Renaud <[log in to unmask]>
[Posted in FML issue 1653]