Hi Kathy, I do the same thing with each new ferret that comes in... I squirt small amounts of the gravy into their mouths (cheek area) and do so about 3 - 4 times a day for about 3 to 5 days. By the third day, 95% of them take it on their own. A few need a little longer to take to it. As for mice, you can only offer small amounts at a time too... and it might mean tearing the mouse apart to do it. If you have ferrets that already love mice then feed the newcomers with the old hands and they will show each other what the mice are really for and leave small morsels for you to give ot the new ferrets. Good luck! betty and her blur o'fur for the love of ferrets [Posted in FML issue 4231]