I believe "chew" was covered yesterday as the act of "masticating' food in order to swallow it. In the 19yrs. I`ve been owned by ferrets, I certainly have watched them "eat" AND "chew" completely, their dry food with water chaser! "Saliva" is introduced to just about, if not all, species when "any" type of object, be it food or the occasional chew toy, is introduced to the mouth. Ever hear of "making your mouth water"?.... I wish the words "raw", "meat" & "bone", as well as "kibble" would stop being "emphasized", AGAIN, into every post about fert food! ALL foods will stick to the teeth after swallowing, not just one in particular! Brush them!!...Like most of us hoomans do after eating!! The word "chew" is used because "I" can`t think of a better "single word that describes a ferret eating"...a nice, fresh bowl of nourishing kibble!! Shirl, I wish you would STOP the "raw, meaty bone" phrase, as you well should know that not everyone AGREES with you,.....oh, & btw, "Over time", EVERYTHING wears down the teeth of ALL living things, with time,....and has anyone out there remember(would be hard to forget) 'cracking' a tooth when eating peanuts, hard candy, hard cereal(kibble, granola, etc.), knawing on a cooked meaty bone, etc.?? I do!! ..and I also brush the "FOOD" from MY teeth even after 'saliva' & water has assisted swallowing the raw, meaty bowl of Kibble!! And salmonella is real & thriving all over the world! If you don`t believe me, lick a raw piece of chicken, handle it, then go handle your hooman babies!!! Then re-think your statements!....& step down off of your 'soapbox'!!!!.. Sheeez!... "Health-101" class is dismissed. John Rich New Jersey, USA! john rich <[log in to unmask]> [Posted in FML 5415]