From:
ChaoticFer8s@aol.com
Date: 2001-10-22 02:51:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] new ferret drinking A LOT
In a message dated 10/22/01 2:17:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
mandiedorweiler@h... writes:
<< Hello all...
Our new ferret, about 8 weeks old, seems to be drinking a lot more
than our others. She also eats quite frequently. I know that
exessive thirst can be a problem, but I don't know what it can mean.
She is very active, does sleep a lot, and goes potty fine. Her
stools are very light in color, and very big for such a tiny girl.
Anything to be concerned about?
Mandie, Kaya&Zion&Rasta >>
Congratulations Mandie! You have a healthy ferret. It is normal for an 8
week old to drink a lot of water, especially if she is only being fed kibble.
It is also normal to eat frequently, she is still growing and kibble takes
room in a little tummy. Now is the time to introduce her to other foods such
as chicken, hamburger, or other kinds of meat....nice fatty cooked hamburger
crumbled up, nice chicken including fat & skin cut into pieces she can
handle, or even diced roast beef. I find that my ferrets will eat any
fowl/meat/fish entree that we do. And since I don't cook a lot - nothing
wrong with buying from the deli or fast food hamburgers - hold the condiments
and bun!
She is at a wonderful time to imprint on all kinds of carnivore foods! And
she needs them in addtion to Totally Ferret or other protein/fat/carbo
balanced kibble food for ferrets! Also, to maximize nutritional needs at 8
weeks, I feed my kits mush until they are 12-13 weeks old. Gerber Baby Food
Chicken or Turkey, Esbilac or other puppy milk and a bit of Totally Ferret
ground to powder in Betty Crocker Coffee Bean grinder. Easier to digest on
little tummies and packs in more nutrients in addition to kibble and other
meats. Best Regards, Meg P.S. I am being very restrained and not telling
you about the mice I feed them! Cheers.