To Stephanie Ann Maehr: >Dr. Williams, when is the best time to switch from high quality kitten >food to high quality cat food for my little ones? Stephanie - I generally recommend at around 3 years of age. As ferrets begin to develop signs of degenerative renal disease (much like the same problem in cats), the lower protein load on the kidneys that accompanies a decreased level of dietary protein will most likely have a somewhat protective effect. Of course, it will not stop the renal degeneration which we see in older ferrets, but it should slow it down some. Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP Dept. of Veterinary Pathology AccuPath Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [log in to unmask] OR Washington, D.C. 20306-6000 [log in to unmask] (202) 782-2600 [Posted in FML issue 1263]