>I realize that when doing an experiment it is good to have a *control*
>to better assess the results, but it is usually a better idea to bathe
>all or none of the ferrets in a business, since scent plays such a major
>role in dominance issues.  *The smelliest ferret always wins* is the way
>I heard it expressed.
>
>Carol
 
I bathed the larger and more aggressive girl of my two.  She's what I
call the bruiser...it doesn't seem as though either one has fully
established alpha-ness yet.  So I decided to use her for this trial.  I
can definitely see your point though.
 
As for bedding, I recently went to Joanne Fabric to get things to make
a ferret carrying bag.  I saw this absolutely HIDEOUS but really plush
fleece, it was WAY on sale too.  I got a yard and a half for like 2
dollars.  I cut it and lay it down in their cage.  I can wash it when
it gets funky, and eventually when it goes bad, I just toss it and cut
another piece out.  They don't care how ugly it is, as long as it's cozy.
 
I had a woman at work make a fleece tote bag for me.  I hadn't come
across any bags that I loved, so I went looking for patterns myself.
I found a nice tote bag that she modified, using velcro for the top
closure, and I bought large holed needlepoint canvas that she sewed into
areas of the fleece she cut out.  The canvas is like a stiff mesh, they
can breath really well and see out also.  I will take a picture and send
it if anyone's interested.
 
**Update** Cetaphil bathing experiment... Minky was washed 4 days ago
with cetaphil liquid soap, from the neck down.  After much sniffing and
comparison sniffing with the unwashed fertie, Pandora, Minky still has
quite a neutral smell from the neck down.  Her head is musky again, but I
didn't get any soap on it.  Her body has that light scent of lotion..no
dryness, or itchiness as far as I can see.  I will wash Pandora in it as
well this weekend.
 
Have a beautiful day!
Angela
[Posted in FML issue 3881]