JJ, what a lot of work you have put into your pamphlet!!  Well done!

There are just a few things I would like to comment on.
(I can almost here a group groan from here)

>Ferrets are wonderful, energetic & intelligent animals and make great
>pets... but not for everyone!

Absolutely right!

>Your ferret will be living in their cage when you are not home, so you
>need to find one that fits your budget, but has enough space for your
>ferrets needs.

>If your ferrets' environment is safe when you are home, it should be
>safe when you are not there. How can an animal that is "wonderful,
>energetic & intelligent" possibly be happy to live in a cage hour
>after hour, day after day? Instead, a large, enriching environment
>should be provided.

>Ferrets are carnivores (meat eaters).  They live on ferret kibble or
>kitten kibble.

Ferrets are indeed carnivores, which means they eat other animals, not
just meat. Kibble is not in any way a suitable substitute for the diet
that a carnivore is designed to eat. Kibble damages teeth and is too
high in carbohydrates. Pre-killed small whole prey and/or raw meaty
bones with occasional offal is a far more appropriate diet. Taurine is
available in abundance in this type of diet.

>A hairball remedy should also be given to your ferret about once a
>week o prevent hairballs in the stomach.

No need for hairball remedies if your ferrets are fed a species-
appropriate diet.

>our ferret is not supposed to sit in a cage all the time like a rat or
>hamster. It needs at least 4 hours of playtime out of cage every day.

24 hours per day out of the cage is the ideal. The ferret can then be
either active or sleepy when it desires, not when it is convenient for
its carer.

>It is very important to ferret-proof your house. Get down on your hands
>and knees to see what your ferret might get into. Reclining chairs or
>furniture with moving parts are not safe with a ferret. Accidents with
>this type of furniture can result in the death of your ferret.

Spot on!!

>Brushing a ferret's teeth should be done about once a week.

Teeth cleaning is not necessary if the ferret is fed a natural diet.

>Ferrets are prone to illness and often develop problems when they
>are around 5 years old.  Vet care and surgery can be costly, so saving
>money monthly for vet care is a good idea.  Many suggest about $20 per
>month per ferret is a good start.

Ferrets that are on a natural diet, are not caged and have access to
natural lighting do not as prone to disease.

Wishing all ferrets the best of care and health,

Shirley

[Posted in FML 5394]