From:
rrc961@mizzou.edu
Date: 2002-08-30 04:01:37 UTC
Subject: RE: Bob C: Ferret Caretaker Quiz
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <11321851.1030680097238.JavaMail.root@scandium>
A troll would NEVER ask so nicely to explain the rationale of anything. You are obviously not at troll--at least at this time and place. ;-)
Here's the rationale for the answer for #24 (time-outs in addition to scruffing and saying NO). This type of punishment is essentially a mild conditioning process. Scruffing gets the ferret's attention, the sharp "NO!" gives them a verbal command that is easy to recognize, and the SHORT time-out is a punishment long enough to be a punishment, but short enough to retain meaning. Ferrets are extremely intelligent and can easily associate the command with the punishment as long as it is consistantly applied. The five minute period is based on my own experience, which I slightly modify for individual ferrets.
Scruffing is a normal maternal ferret behavior, and is not of itself a punishment. But, it does kind of "tell" the ferret you are the parent, which is very useful. The sharp "no" is a command, but carries no real punishment. Ferrets are NOT dogs, and never evolved complex vocalizations that make verbal commands naturally important. The time-out is the punishment that teaches the ferret the consequences of ignoring the command. It is important to remember the "no" is a command, and to allow the ferret to obey it. If they obey, no punishment. If not, immediate non-physical punishment that lasts about 5 minutes.
Here's the rationale for #21 (feed 2-3 times per day, as opposed to free-feeding). The idea HEALTHY ferrets require a constant source of food (ad libitum, abbreviated as ad lib) is a myth. Ferrets are domesticated polecats, who evolved the capacity to go several DAYS without food, without injury (SICK ferrets are a different matter--some may have to eat quite frequently. Discuss their needs with your vet.). Domestication has SLIGHTLY modified the ferret's external characters, such as color, and to a lesser extent, size. It has changed behavior considerably, and reproductive physiology to some slight degree. However, the digestive and metabolic physiology of the polecat was NOT changed, so ferrets and polecats are virtually identical in this regard.
You can prove this myth yourself. Find the latest incarnation, and trace its roots. They are NOT based on empirical evidence, nor on documented observation, but rather on opinion. Most small, primary, obligate carnivores have to eat daily to obtain enough energy to remain healthy, but most regularly miss a meal several times a week. If a ferret can eat once or twice a day, they are quite lucky. Yet, these animals remain quite healthy. In fact, there are a number of very well-done studies that show animals that are allowed to eat ad lib have SHORTER lives than those fed a few times per day (15-20% shorter, or more!).
When the blood sugar of the ferret drops, it runs to the food dish and eats, and the blood sugar rises. Ferrets that run to an empty food dish have to resort to other means. Simplistically, in these ferrets the liver dumps stores of glycogen ("animal starch", C6 H10 O5x), which is immediately converted to glucose in the body. The liver also dumps hormones, enzymes and other substances that start the conversion of body fat to sugars. It is a normal, healthy process that in no way causes harm or danger to the ferret. Ferrets that eat ad lib are fatter, exercise less, and have less cardiovascular fitness compared to those given daily periodic feedings. Ferrets that eat a single large meal, with perhaps a few smaller ones, are leaner, more energetic, show more interest in their surroundings, and are easier to train using food treats. Oh, and they probably live longer lives.
There is one other factor to worry about. When a ferret can eat dry, extruded foods (kibble) ad lib, they generally shift to a pattern of frequent, small meals. This is the "evidence" that some people use to support the myth of frequent feeding, when, in fact, it is simple adaptation to a specific type of diet. The problem is dry, extruded foods are between 40-60% carbohydrate (depending on the food quality). What this means is not only does the ferret consume an unnatural amount of sugar in their diet (carbohydrates are long strings of sugar), BUT they have the sugar hitting their blood stream constantly. What effect this has on the ferret is conjectural, but if you use humans (and other animals) as a model, it can't be good. In humans, this causes obesity, heart disease, and frequently some degree of diabetes. I suspect an ad libitum diet of dry, extruded food is a factor in ferret insulinoma, but no DIRECT scientific tests have been published to support the hypothesis.
Thanks for the oportunity for discussion.
Bob C