From:
Bob C
Date: 2001-11-09 04:39:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Fish
Oops, forgot a part. Oopsie!
g) because some species of fish have an excess of thiaminase, an enzyme
that breaks down thiamine. On diets containing high amounts of
uncooked, thiaminase-rich fish exclusively fed over long periods of
time, thiamin deficiency can occur. This is not a problem if the fish
is cooked (which breaks down the enzymes), if the fish fed is not one of
the thiaminase-rich varieties (which generally do not include most fish
humans eat), if the ferret also eats kibble (which is generally
fortified with essential vitamins), or if the ferret is occasionally
given ferretone, nutrical or some other supplement.
The omission doesn't change my opinions, but I thought I should address
it before someone takes me to task on forgetting to include it in my
list of anti-fish objections.
Bob C
Bob C wrote:
> Harriett H. H. asks:
>
> >I read somewhere regarding ferret food that fish should be avoided.
> >Why? Please send info.
>
>
> There is NO reason why fish fit for human consumption can not be fed to
> ferrets. Most objections are:
>
> a) based on stories of poor fitch or mink diets made from fish parts
> (not the whole fish)
>
> b) based on stories of poor fitch or mink diets of oily fish fed
> exclusively to ranched animals that lacked some essential amino and
> fatty acids and vitamins (and in excess of others)
>
> c) because a diet of fish intensifies the musky odor natural to ferrets
>
> d) because fish-based foods have a strong, often objectionable odor
>
> e) because fish-based foods result in poops that have a terrible stink, and
>
> f) because of personal prejudice based on a lack of clear, concise
> knowledge.
>
> The original stories were true, BUT, the diets were changed as soon as
> the damage to the animals was noted (which was unfortunately beyond the
> period were medical intervention could help) and are no longer an issue.
> (Strange that fish is rejected because of these stories, yet kibbled
> foods are strongly supported despite the ferret deaths caused when one
> manufacturer misprocessed a batch with an inverse Ca/P ratio, killing
> hundreds of ferrets at a single farm). It is also true foods with fish
> meal have more odor than those having chicken or beef. There seems to
> be some evidence that the fish oils have a minor effect on ferret body
> odor, although I haven't personally been bothered by it. In my opinion,
> the worst aspect of feeding fish is that the poop does indeed smell
> worse. However, since I only periodically feed the food, and I change
> the litter boxes daily, the issue is a minor one. Besides, I'm a old
> beach bum and sailor, and the smell reminds me of Long Beach, California.
>
> The truth is, fish, especially the fillet, is a good food and can be a
> welcome treat or occasional meal (It can be fed exclusively with daily
> dollops of Ferretone or Ferretvite). Most of mine love it dried as fish
> jerky, or lightly cooked and flaky. The majority of mine enjoy the
> occasional canned tuna or sardine snack. All love it in a fish chowder I
> like to make for them on icy mornings after an hour romping in the dried
> leaves or snow.
>
> Most ferrets reject fish because of olfactory imprinting (the same
> reason they reject most unknown foods), so if you desire to feed it to
> your ferrets, start young or be prepared for a tough time breaking down
> the odor door.
>
> Bob C
>
>
>
>