Yes, ferrets and dogs tend to spot fouled water and avoid it. Cats
don't.

Maybe 15 years ago we had repeated bouts of fouled water locally, and
our vets then said two interesting things:
1. Every time it happened they had to treat sick cats from the affected
   area
2. If your ferret or dog refuses the water don't give it to any other
   animals including us humans

Sukie (not a vet)

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/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 5991]