Also, read some vet texts like _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret_ Inge, I know I have setn you such links before, and Kris has sent me private responses in the past with ones I'd sent her still present in the quoted portions. Yes, each appraoch DOES have its downsides. Sorry about no saying much. The chain smoke downstairs had her chainsmoking ex-husband over nd my lungs feel as bruised as bronchitis makes them feel. I know it's just because I had so much asthma last night ather than infection, but I had to get up about 10 times last night due to not breathing well enough and when I did sleep it was sitting up. If I had been thinking I'd have put myself in the bathtub and spent the noght there. I have to do that some bad nights because repeatedly gettig in steam helps. You will have to find the most relevant ones among these becase I feel crummy and ONE OF BEST THINGS ANYON CAN DO FOR A FERRET IS TO LEARN WAT CAN GO WRONG WITH THE CHOICES MADE. Most should apply and there are a LOT more in the archives, and I didn 't even include the FML Archives in my search. because of how I feel today. Luckily everone here is an adult and able to use a search engine, even when that isn't always done. Start with things like (and remember that ferets get at least 5 types of mycobacteria, with the most common (avian) being the mildest): http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG202 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG5199 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG5668 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG6258 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG6619 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG8628 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG11178 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG18480 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG17627 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG17585 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG15839 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG6125 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG12104 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG1947 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG3206 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG9058 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG9887 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG2281 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG15102 http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG14602 There are a large number more but those should really get you started. There are a LOT more but I will have to count on you to do that research. While rare, these infections do happen and some of them are fatal while oterhs are very often severe and life thrreatening. That isn't a "dire warning' it is just what the vet texts and vets who have treated such ferrets say. Anyway, I don't have time for a careful sort or further search when feeling like this. On the other hand, kibble isn't idea of dental health (though soft diets in studies are worse for gums than kibble is), and there may be a further concern if the hypothesis that carbohydrates might impact insulinoma onset finally proves out once it is actually properly studied in ferrets (whcih it has not been so far and in the literature for humans and other animals the data are very self- conflicting when a person takes the entire spectrum of studies). DOCUMENTED SOURCES OF BALANCE, BALANCE, BALANCE ARW A LOT BETTER THAN RAW BELIEF. There are no perfect choices and anyone who feeds a balanced diet whould not be made to feel uncomfortable for a personal choice while still knowing what can go wrong with one's one choices and how to treat those things because THAT KNOWLEDGE is ultimately what best saves ferrrets! So, no matter what your choice HIT THE ARCHIVES and learn th edownsides as well as the upsdides. Sukie (not a vet) Reminder: THE FERRET HEALTH LIST IS MOVING. To join, click on the joining link at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth and then follow the directions. OR just send a blank mail to the automated joining address: [log in to unmask] and then follow the directions. Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/ http://www.ferretcongress.org/ [Posted in FML 5423]