Sukie wrote: >Until there is good hard data which survives strict peer review and >challenges feeding remains just is a situation where no one except >people feeding junk need to ride the guilt train. I totally agree with Sukie that we should not feel guilty about what we feed our ferrets. We have been led to believe that processed food, because it has been formulated by scientists and vets, must be the healthiest option. Pet food, along with petrolium products and coffee, is one of the biggest industries world wide(1). Two of the biggest pet food producers are names you'll recognise: Mars (aka Waltham Pet Nutrition) and Nestle (Purina). It is no wonder that we have been swayed by such powerful advertising. The reason that I, and many others like me, are disenchanted with processed food, is because it keeps ferrets alive, but does not keep them healthy. Dr Tom Lonsdale has a peer reviewed book that has been published and is available to read free online at http://www.rawmeatybones.com/book.html This is good hard data. (Dr Lonsdale was nominated for a College Prize from the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in 2004) While it does not specifically target ferrets, it is about carnivore companion animals which is what our little furry friends are. It is simply written (even I can understand it.) and has some very enlightening facts about the carnivore digestive system and bowel flora. The cooked vs raw meat section, too, is very interesting. Actually, the whole book is interesting. :-) "Junk food" is described as being high in calories and low in nutrition. If you read the book, I wonder where you will draw the line. Cheers, Shirley (1) Raw Meaty Bones By Dr Tom Lonsdale [Posted in FML 5401]