Erika Matulich wrote: >However, ferrets in nature have a much shorter lifespan than our >house ferrets; many succumb to various parasites in their natural >diet. In the domesticated ferret's case, "close to nature" could >mean a shorter lifespan for your ferrets. I would disagree here. I have always fed my ferrets live mice. Plain and simple, my ferrets have all lived to 10+ years. No exceptions. I believe that feeding a ferret, if it will eat it, a whole, preferably live, mouse on a regular basis is the best thing one can do. It strengthens the jaw muscles, cleans the teeth, provides natural vitamins and minerals, sharpens the mind of a ferret (If you feed live), and keeps the ferret trim by exercises the fert while it is chasing its prey. My ferrets are not aggressive (as some would believe if you feed live) and do not smell any more than one would expect. As for feeding times. In the wild, a carnivore can go several days between meals. Food (prey) is not in front of him 24/7. I know a number of vets who recommend only feeding ferrets a set times in the day...to control overweight ferrets...if they are kept caged with little ot no outside play time, many ferrets will eat and eat and eat and sleep and sleep and.... which will fatten them up nicely! Me? Kibble is always present. As is fresh water in a bowl..as well as a bottle. For our ferrets. MC, The Rude One (With Garret, Snorkle, and Tuzigoot. In spirit, Bubba and Billy-Bob) [Posted in FML issue 2921]