Troy Lynn wrote:
>On a natural feeding list someone said it won't hurt ferrets to go
>without food for up to 48 hours.
 
Troy Lynn, for many years I've admired your compassion and efforts to
help ferrets and their owners, so I have confidence that you will hear
what I am saying.
 
As it stands, yes, this looks like poor advice.  HOWEVER it has been
taken out of context.
 
The owner of the ferrets in question had already confirmed that her
ferrets were healthy and did not have insulinoma or any other health
issues.  Different tactics need to be employed with ferrets with
insulinoma or suspected insulinoma.  Nevertheless, 48 hours without
food is not generally advised.
 
On Natural Ferrets, each new member is taken on as a complete new
individual  They describe their ferrets and if they have any health
issues.  A method is then suggested to them, and feed-back is encouraged
every step of the way We support the ferret owner and ferrets as the
change of diet takes place.
 
>Switching foods should be done slowly and with close monitoring, whether
>it is kibble or natural.
 
Not necessarily.  Sometimes it is more humane to get it over with
quickly.  Monitoring is always advised.
 
>Hastily switching food and the ferret not eating can cause stress and
>ulcers, making the ferrets sick and cause painful suffering.
 
There has never been a case of a ferret that has changed to a natural
diet suffering sickness or ulcers.
 
>Imagine depending on someone for everything then POOF all of a sudden
>they take away your natural (meaning the food you are use to eating)
>food and replace it with something so distasteful you won't eat it.
 
It's not that it's distasteful it is because it is not *recognised* as
food.  Once ferrets have accepted a natural diet, they LOVE it.
 
>Let's see,hmmmm... let's take away all human food and replace it with
>hmmm.  raw crickets roaches beetles... sound yummy to you?  Yeah, I know
>this wouldn't be nutritious for humans, but please look at the point - I
>certainly wouldn't eat a bug even if it was the only food source I had.
>I would literally starve myself to death.
 
But let's see hmmm... if I had been raised on icecream and chips and I
had a plate of meat and vegetables thrust in front of me....it would
probably be explained to me that this is better for my health and if I
eat at least some of it, I can have some icecream.  (I watched an episode
of Survivor once where the family members of the contestants had to eat
repulsive spiders and grubs so that their relatives could win immunity
from being expelled from the game.  Most of them chose to eat it)
 
Doesn't work with ferrets.  They have to be hungry to attempt to eat
another type of food
 
>I don't understand how anyone can say they are doing good for ferrets
>when they promote, without clear instructions and cautions, something
>that can cause pain, suffering, and illness to the ferrets.
 
Clear instructions are always given.  In fact, other methods of changing
diet are offered if the first effort fails.
 
>Please remember not everyone is ferret knowledgeable and when you put
>yourself in an authoritative position, you are responsible for what
>happens to those who take your advice.
 
This is true and I believe that you should not only look at the person
who is giving advice, but also the results!
 
Shirley
Always for the ferrets
[Posted in FML issue 5204]