Hi Patrice, You wrote: >I was wondering if anyone uses Merrick ferret food or has any information >on it (like its nutritional stats or stories about its ... qualities). Send me a list of ingredients (in order) and the analysis (percentages of protein, fat, fiber, etc) and I'll offer an opinion for you. As for the Mazuri, I am very familiar with it. It (and the entire Purina line) has far too much corn and grains in it for ferrets to gain much benefit. Ferrets cannot use "plant proteins", the total percentage of protein listed on the package includes "plant proteins" so that number is deceiving when you are shopping for ferret food. Ferrets need a diet high in animal protein and animal fat (poultry products are best). Protein content should be a minimum of about 30-32% (but the ingredients should show it is "animal protein, primarily poultry), fat should be 20% or above for those 3 and under. Check out my web page where there is a paper written by a Pet Nutrition Consultant/Veterinarian... http://www.flash.net/~ffrs I think you'll find it very helpful. >I am currently using Mazuri (a zoo feed for ferrets produced by the Purina >company) and my friend whose family owns a feed store sells Merrick so I >thought I may switch because it could be cheaper to do so. My experience has been that if you cut corners on food you'll pay for it with your kid's health. I've seen too many come into the shelter on crappy foods and stay "down" for months until they'd been on a good diet long enough to replenish their body with much needed vitamins and nutrients. Boomer has blood sugar problems now from a lousey diet he was on before he came to the shelter. I've even known of a poor diet leading to death, so this is a very serious matter. Stay away from "cheap foods". Totally Ferret is the best in my book, it has saved lives here. Nutritional *balance* is very important. To my knowledge, Totally Ferret is the only food that offers the proper balance for ferrets. My second choice (for kids under 3 years only) is Iams Kitten Food, it is not balanced exactly for ferret's needs, but it provides better nutrition than any other food out there (including the so-called "ferret foods"...except of course for Totally Ferret). I am sure some will argue, as always, with what I have said here, but my opinions are based upon research and testing I have personally done, and, most importantly, on results with the kids that come through here. Totally Ferret may seem expensive, but your ferrets will eat less, poop less, and be *far healthier* on it, possibly preventing future vet bills. I once broke down the cost of Totally Ferret per animal per day and found that in most cases it costs less to feed your ferret (for a single day) than it does to buy a soft drink at a fast food place. Surely our babies are worth that!! Nutrition has been debated repeatedly on the FML, so I am sure you can find plenty of info in the archives, or email me if you have further questions. Trish Director, Ferrets First Rescue & Shelter (NOTE: Please reply to me at [log in to unmask] I am having some odd problems with this Flashnet address at the present time.) [Posted in FML issue 2017]