Message Number: YG10602 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Steve Austin
Date: 2002-01-30 01:38:00 UTC
Subject: Ferret Eating Poop - Help!

I don't know about the problems in ferrets, and honestly since
I do not watch my ferrets 24/7 maybe someone is eating poop in
my group and I would never know it?

But, for dogs, my dog has eaten everything since a pup, everything!
Poop, rocks, carpet, towels, etc. Doesn't chew, eats. I know some
ferrets also will eat stuff, plastic bags, fleece, hammies, towels,
so not sure if same thing.

But, I was told that stool eating in dogs, although gross, is not
a problem. I did change to a very nutritional diet, without much
change in my dogs habits, except she prefers to eat my males poop
now instead of hers, both on same diet. Anyway, long story short, she
is 6 years now and healthy- she doesn't get to kiss me on the face
though-
well not until teeth are brushed.

I found that cleaning up right away worked best, they go in a pen in the
back
and I would clean at end of day, or first thing next day. Also, I have
seen products sold that you put in their food, or give them a pill and it
neutralizes
something in their waste and they won't eat it? You could ask a vet if
they
think would be safe for ferrets. Other thought would be that there is a
product
called BI-Odor and it takes away the smell from the poop, it works, but
not
sure exactly how, seems safe for my friends who have been using it over a
year now,
anyway, this may make the poop smell different, and the ferret may not
eat it. I would give it a week to work before you could decide if it is
working or not.

One last thought is to separate the one who is doing it and watch to see
how much
the ferret is eating (food), and if is eating his own or only other
ferrets' poop, and
if the ferret is eating anything else, bedding, etc.

Patty

> All I can think about is the fact that he is getting some bad
> bacteria and
> will eventually get very sick from this disgusting habit.
>
> If you have any experience with this or any ideas as to how to stop
> him,
> please e-mail me privately.
>
> Absolutely no one in this area or around here has any ideas at all.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Donna(and my eight fuzzy owners)
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