There is nothing harder than having to feed a sick ferret who doesn't
want to be fed.  Ferrets, like people, tend to want to be babied when
they donut feel well.
 
Ferrets are already known to be picky eaters and tend to have their
palates set once they reach adulthood, and recovering from a surgery or
an illness seems to only compound the problem.  There is hope!  In my
experience, ferrets of any age can be introduced to new foods and learn
to like them.  The trick is to offer the foods when they are healthy
and happy, and more eager to try new things -- not when they are sick,
feeling depressed, or generally not feeling themselves.  Offering
different foods often, like a treat, is a great way to introduce new
tastes.
 
Here are two recipes that I am sure your ferret will learn to love.  The
basic recipe is the one that I have been using for a years and introduced
to ferret people in our city.  Now is has become a common staple in many
of the ferret homes here in Alberta.  I recommend mixing up a small
portion of the recipes before making full batches.  You must take note of
expiry dates.  Opened jars of baby food or Boost should be stored in the
refrigerator for no longer than two days.  If you have only a couple of
ferrets, I recommend getting together with a few other ferret owners and
mixing one batch to split amongst the group.  That way the soup remains
fresh, and there is no opportunity for spoilage while you are working on
introducing this new food.  The last thing you want to do is to make your
ferret sick or turn it off of the food.
 
Each day, for 3 to 5 days, gently squeeze a small amount of the food into
the ferret's mouth giving it a chance to taste it.  It is important not
to squirt food directly into the center of the mouth!  If the food goes
down the ferrets airway, the ferret will choke, or worse, it could end
up in the lungs.  A safer alternative is to offer the food off of your
finger.  If the ferret does not take it by itself, rub a little on the
nose, on the teeth, or right into the cheek.  Most ferrets, in my
experience, will take to this food right away, but some need a little
more convincing.  If you have been persistent and consistent, you should
have convert within 3 to 5 days.  Good luck!
 
Recipe One - Basic Duck Soup
1 jar Chicken with Broth baby food
3 cm Nutrical**
1/2 jar* Boost**, Ensure**, or Deliver 2.0 (any flavour)
1 tbsp real Whipping Cream*** (not whipped topping)
 
Mix altogether in a blender, or use a larger jar and shake vigorously.
Mix can be poured back into baby food jars or into an ice-cube tray for
easy serving.  Serve warmed.  Note: The Chicken with Broth baby food
mixed only with the Nutrical can be used as a very basic Duck Soup,
and is easy on the stomach and esophagus of a ferret should either be
ulcerated.
 
Recipe Two - Advanced Duck Soup
4 jars Chicken with Broth baby food
1 small can Hills A/D (available through your vet)
12 cm Nutrical**
1  jar* real Whipping Cream*** (not whipped topping)
1.5 jar* Boost**, Ensure**, or Deliver 2.0 (any flavour)
Mix altogether in a blender, or use a larger jar and shake vigorously.
Mix can be poured back into baby food jars or into an ice-cube tray for
easy serving. Serve warmed.
 
Mix can be heated in a microwave or in a bowl of hot water until warm
to the touch.  Should not be hot.  Ferrets are individuals and may take
one version of the Duck Soup over the other.  You can start by using
the Basic Bland version and slowly introduce other ingredients.
 
*Use baby food jar as measuring device.
**Boost/Ensure and Nutrical should be removed if insulinomic. Banana and
  vanilla flavours most popular. Water can be substituted.
***More whipping cream can be added if used for weight gain. Your ferret
   will have runny poops until he or she gets use to the mix. Whipping
   cream can also be slowly introduced a little at a time.
 
betty and her blur o'fur
for the love of ferrets
[Posted in FML issue 3958]