Cindy: While I understand that a food allergy in a ferret is rare, it is possible. My Elliott has a food allergy apparently to chicken. He was a rescue and was on a chicken base food when I acquired him, but several months later, he started scratching like crazy. After ruling out mites, parasites, skin infections, etc, it was suggested that I take him off chicken and use a turkey base food. (Proplan Turkey/Barley). In just 3 weeks, he was a different ferret. He stopped scratching, his fur became shiney and soft again, and his skin cleared up. I've also included Iams Lamb/Rice now to give him more of a variety. Elliott is 5 years old this year, and is doing very well on the Turkey/Barley-Lamb/Rice mix - when I give him baby food, I give him Turkey rather than chicken - occasionally, he'll eat some of the regular mix that is chicken base (steals it -ya know how they are!), and will almost immediately start scratching like crazy, so I am convinced he has a true food allergy. It takes about 3 weeks to notice a difference - if you don't see a difference by then, it's probably not a food allergy - but you should give it at least 3 weeks. Debbie Riccio WNYFLFA Rochester, NY [Posted in FML issue 1509]