>From: Dan Kinney <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: Totally Ferret/Choosing foods We also agree Trish Curtis has shown that her sincerity and devotion are without doubt. And to reiterate her statements: >>"Any vegetable matter that ferrets eat has the potential to cause serious >>health risks/problems." And this >>"Animals are not like humans in that they need variety in their diet to >>stimulate interest in food" - flies in the face of my own experience. The first is a bit too strong perhaps. The second though matches our experiences as well. There is a potential for harm from vegetable matter treats but it is usually quite small. I am aware of the story Trish mentioned and will not comment on it. Extreme caution and moderation in fruit treats is fine. But do not force treats on ferrets. Especially fruits or vegetables. If they wnat a raisin now and then - empasize again extreme moderation - let them have a treat. These treats are not good for them. But in very small quantities they don't hurt too much. Dr. Williams has stated such and is in the position to know as well as nearly anyone. Dr. Tom Willard is a dear friend of ours and knows ferret nutrition better than probably anyone. He urges folks not to give these kind of treats but that is mostly on a factual basis of nutrients. Treats even if "bad" increase the pscychological enjoyment of life even for ferrets. They do not crave a change in diet. They do not want a different base food every day the way humans normally hate to eat the same food everyday but that is not the same as wanting an occaisional treat. Its not a contradiction to offer treats but also to not continually vary the diet. Dr. Williams if I remember correctly had said not more than a single raisin and I think that was a day. He is probably erring on the side of caution but thats fine. Offer cantelope only in small enough pieces that its no more than a raisin size piece a day and you should be fine. Of course you can always use Pam Grant's (and others) trick of using a different kibbled food as a treat. Or you can use things like meat and bones that more match a carnivores diet than dried grapes anyway. >From: Sevald Cirkov <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Any experience with this food? Sounds okay. Rice and barley as I understand are more digestible than corn. Too low in fats so like the 8in1 you are sort of forced to help out with supplemented fats (i.e. Ferretone/Linatone) You need to be very cautious with these fatty acids as well. The recommended amount on the labels is based as much on selling more product as good nutrition. >From: BRIAN <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Food, and baths (how to keep a ferret clean) >I need to bathe him because he gets smelly. I clean all the bedding once a >week, Should i do that twice a week????? Until you try it you won't believe it but wash your much less frequently. It goes against what you would expect but it works. The more you clean the bedding the better everyone will smell. As an incentive cleaning the bedding is easier than cleaning the ferret so it makes your work load less. bill and diane killian zen and the art of ferrets http://www.zenferret.com/ mailto:[log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 1925]