From:
ferret_girl79
Date: 2002-01-20 21:24:00 UTC
Subject: Ferret food
Hi there,
I'm new to this list and I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity
to participate in this wonderful group :)
I also have a very important question regarding flax seeds in ferret
food. I will have to give a bit of background information from a
specific source. In the January 1998 Newsletter on Nutrition, put
out by Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas, it states:
"Red meat fats (such as beef tallow) are not desirable; and have the
undesirable Omega-6 fatty acid, which may contribute to renal
disease."
"Furthermore, safflower oil, also containing Omega-6, could lead to
renal disfunction."
As far as I know, Flaxseed (oil) also contains the Omega-6 Fatty
Acid, so I assume that flaxseed should not be fed to ferrets either.
I found this to be a very disturbing discovery because I have been
feeding my ferret "Home Made 4 Life" (www.homemade4life.com) raw
Ferret food which contains ground flax seeds, for over 6 months now.
I do not feed the raw food by itself as it does not contain *all* the
essential nutrients a ferret needs, so I feed half "Tottally Ferret"
and half the "Home Made 4 Life". But now I am concerned over the
fact that the raw food contains flax seeds.
Is my concern over flax seeds a legitimate one? If so, why are there
food products out there for ferrets containing this dangerous
ingredient? Another example is the NUPRO ferret supplement
(www.nuprosupplements.com/ferret_info.html) which also contains
flaxseeds.
Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you.