I used to think pet ferrets ate the same sorts of food all over the world, but recently there was an interesting article in the Swedish ferret organization's magazine on nutrition. First it had the usual about protein, fat, carbohydrates and vitamins. Milk was mentioned as containing calcium and vitamins, but recommended against, as it often leads to stomach problems. That's when it got interesting, as it says that English ferrets are often given milk daily, and they stand it very well, as they are used to it. It seems like the English also give their ferrets chickens, rabbits and other birds to eat, complete with bones, fur and feathers. "The fur and feathers are good for the digestion, and the small bones and stuff give a good supplement of minerals and vitamins." It is supposed to be good for the teeth to, as normal dry food isn't hard enough. The disadvantage with eating about the same as wild animals is that it gives intestinal parasites, which has to be combated regularly. [One of the English books also talks about how to select suitable roadkills... This sort of thing really isn't a good idea. While the theory is good, (and I know of people who go to great lengths to create "pseudo mice" for their cats - don't forget the dirt, raw sewage etc.), it does leave something to be desired. One really just has to look at the change in *human* life expectancies to know that "going back to nature" isn't entirely without its drawbacks. This isn't to say that you *have* to use prepackaged pet food. Or even that you *have* to cook everything. But a high quality pet food is your safest and most convenient *staple*. And human food, in appropriately small doses, is a good supplement.] { Taurin wasn't mentioned, and I'm still awaiting the answer to why it is good for ferrets. could I have been subjected to the "two bounces rule" maybe, as our machine has had difficulties waking up in the mornings a few days this week? } As for what I give my ferrets, it is mostly dry cat food like Iams' or Hill's, which seems to be common in Sweden. For a change they can sometimes be given something from a tin, but more than once every week I give them the same as I'm having, like pork chops or beef. They like pork the best, but it took one of them a week to realize it was edible food. -- Urban Fredriksson [log in to unmask] ([log in to unmask]) Stockholm, Sweden [Posted in FML issue 0328]