From:
shelterwoman@yahoo.com
Date: 2002-09-02 02:10:57 UTC
Subject: FOOD for thought!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <11843578.1030932657371.JavaMail.root@scandium>
An interesting discussion on 'food for ferrets' has been ensuing with quite some fervor, I might add, so thought I would add my 'own two bits', for what it is worth!
Having had ferrets for 23 years now and starting out with little knowledge on diet and feeding my initial group of ferrets ALL THE WRONG THINGS, I do feel that the NATURAL diet would definitely be in the ferret's best interest.
Since it's design as a carnivore would bespeak it's diet, the 'whole unadulterated beastie' would be it's best bet, however not everyone finds this method of feeding palatatable. I for one could not bear to clean up the ferret room strewn with blood and guts!
Growing up in Britain, our animals were kept in a much more natural environment and keeping out of doors, would make it easy for one to throw in a whole carcass now and then, however I now live in the stifling heat of hot Florida and to keep feerts outdoors would surely spell their death warrant!
My ferrets get a mixture of 'natural kitten and ferret kibble', plus, twice a day cooked whole chicken, liquified. I would be the first to admit this is not the healthiest of diets, but then again my ferrets live on average to 9 years old and many of these have come to me as rescued abandoned ferrets.
Having had ferrets for a long time and thousands of them, one comes to recognise the earliest signs of illness(as Bob mentioned in his post that he does)this could also be a factor in longevity, rather than solely in diet.
As with the human race many illnesses are inherent in our genetic makeup and therefore we can control certain aspects of disease through diet ie: diabetes, psoriasis, heart and kidney disease etc..too much fat, sugar and salt are contributors for these illnesses. Just as an incorrect diet for the ferret is most likely a contributing factor towards the same problems that we encounter.
Whilst ferret's individual diets are chosen by it's caretaker and adminstered with love, it will be an ongoing discussion and one with much 'food for thought!---Angela.