>What has been your experience with returning your ferrets who have been >on soft food (only hand-fed) to a normal eating schedule (hard food)? Usually takes several weeks. Don't rush the process. >How do you wean them off special treatment? I usually start with baby food, then duck soup mixed 50/50 with baby food, slowly decreasing the baby food until it is straight duck soup. At all times after this, kibble is available. Then I start increasing the percentage of powdered kibble in the duck soup, and decrease the number of feedings, though still feeding as much as the ferret wants per feeding. I usually find that they start picking at the kibble in between feedings. Once that happens, I start backing off on the amount, unless it is an insulinoma case. Those fellows I keep on twice daily supplements of duck soup or baby food for the rest of their days. >Will she ever return to hard food or will I have to hand-feed her >forever? It takes awhile, but you can get her switched back. -Dr. Karen DISCLAIMER: This e-mail is provided for general informational purposes only. It is in no way intended as a replacement for a consultation with a qualified licensed veterinarian. If you are concerned about your pet's health, you should seek the advice of your regular veterinarian as soon as possible. [Posted in FML issue 3539]