Pat, I think you're talking about our Neugi! Coloring, temprement, and coat. Neugi has also 'super shed' this year, and has been looking very, well, ratty. He's also had a lot of hair in his outputs, so you might want to increase the Petromalt you normally give. I've been pulling Neugi's hair out. He doesn't seem to mind, and it improves his appearance greatly. It's only gentle tugging, and only the very long older hairs release. I haven't a clue why he's shedding so heavily this year, but obviously it's something that's affecting animals all over the country. Weather patterns? Neugi loves every one of our ferrets, and is the only boy who is kind to our lone girl. He also sits up more than the other ferrets, and is great at climbing. He's the one who climbs my sweats every morning while I clean the cages. Over and over! Georgia - the left coast one... [Posted in FML issue 2718]