I don't know whether there is a typical ferret with respect to food habits
(or anything else for that matter) - each of mine has been distinctly (and
delightfully) different in personality and habits.  In the nine years I've
been owned by fuzzies, there have been food brand switches.  I've fed a
mix of brands (mostly trying to make sure I never ran into the problem of
them getting hooked on something I suddenly couldn't get and having them
go on a hunger strike) and sometimes just a single brand.  When Selena was
diagnosed with insulinoma, a fellow ferret-owned person suggested I try
feeding her TF soaked in water and blended so I could make sure she got
food in her stomach coincident with the prednisone (she has since had
surgery and is not currently on meds).  Since she had never tried TF, I
first put some in her dish with the other brand of kibble she was eating
and she immediately ate some (I hadn't even stored them together to let
the smells mingle first!).  I was happy to see she liked the taste, but
I was still prepared for a battle when trying to get her to eat it in
a "goo" form since she has never liked soft foods before.  Much to my
surprise, and delight, she took to it like it was just what she had been
waiting for her entire life.  And now she won't eat anything else - by
that I mean, she won't even chew the TF kibble I leave out, she only wants
the warmed, blended goo [which she eats from a special bowl while sitting
on my lap].  I'm still trying to convince her the crunchy stuff is just as
yummy.  She has gone off her food twice in the past, different brands each
time, but both times coincident with the death of one of her companions.
My other ferrets have also switched brands of kibble with no problems.
But it's a small sample size, and maybe they were all atypical.  Or maybe
the "typical" ferret _is_ atypical?
 
Regarding house fires and companion animals who live indoors: it's one of
my greatest fears.  My deepest sympathies to anyone who has lost a beloved
companion animal that way.  I have smoke detectors, but they won't do
anyone much good during the day when I'm not home to hear them and take
appropriate actions.  If I could design my perfect home, it would include
a sprinkler sysytem for just such emergencies.  Until then, I just beg of
the PTB to keep my little ones safe when I am away from the house.  Those
stickers on the door proclaiming there are pets inside are a great idea.
I'm in the process of making one for my doors that actually has pictures
of each of my critters (with their names) and says "In case of fire or
other emergency, please rescue us." and that has contact numbers for me at
work and for someone who could come for them if I cannot.  One other thing
to consider is the use of CO2 detectors where appropriate since animals
are susceptible to this silent killer as well.
[Posted in FML issue 3113]