RE: Michelle Matta: I had Misty for three years prior to getting Sobriety and Charity. In all that time, and to the present time, I have never noticed any weight gain or new winter coat come winter time. Sobriety continues to lose his hair due to his illness. He is definitely not getting a winter coat, he is losing the one he already has. Charity is the only one of my ferrets that has gained weight and gained a new winter coat. She looks much better than she did over the summer. Her fur is much thicker now and she has picked up a few ounces. (yes, she does look like a mini polar bear! :) I also keep my ferrets indoors most of the time. They do get to go out on occassions but only during spring and cool summer days. Fall and winter, I do not take them out unless it's to the vet. I keep their room at about 65 degrees, sometimes cooler if it warms up outside. I also have a humidifier going in their room to counteract the effects of dry electric heat. I had the window cracked in their room for a short period of time (about 2 weeks) and noticed no change in the other two ferrets. I would also like to know why some ferrets change coats and gain weight, but others do not. Julie and The Fuzz Factory. [Posted in FML issue 1397]