Jennifer - I agree with everything you said except one thing.  Heavy cream
in small amounts can be good for some ferrets who are underweight due to
insulinoma etc.  Some ferrets are pretty lactose intolerant - some aren't.
Dr. Brown a noted ferret vet actually recommends that people with sick
ferrets try a little heavy cream - if they can't tolerate it stop.  My one
boy loves a little for a treat occassionally - it doesn't seem to affect him
negatively at all.  I've also heard that some people use soy milk for a
treat.  Obviously you have to be careful not to fill them up on any treats
to the point they don't eat their balanced ferret food.
 
Mary
[Posted in FML issue 2123]