From:
sheziwa@pop.gis.net
Date: 2004-03-26 14:39:51 UTC
Subject: Re: Carbohydrates, plant nutrients
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1109218.1080311991314.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Sukie wrote:
> Yes, ferrets can to some extent break down carbohydrates (and even some plant proteins if well processed though those are much harder and may possibly be rough on the digestive tract -- just think of how humans can have trouble digesting corn kernals or large pieces of aspargus stalk or onion and we are made for it so you know that ferrets have real trouble with plant proteins).
This brings up something I have been wondering about for a while: Just __How Well__ does plant matter need to be broken down for a ferret to be able to salvage nutrients from it?
Is it a matter of simply grinding it into powder so that nutrients are released from the fiber casing? Or are we talking about processing at the molecular level--like down to polysaccharides and peptides and all that good stuff?
I ask because I wonder just how well an obligate carnivore can metabolize herbal supplements? I guess tinctures and extracts would be easier, but what about the pills we grind up that are really just powdered leaf or root product? What about things like spirulina and wheat grass juice--the so-called green foods?
Is flax oil less digestible than cod liver oil? Or is it already simple enough that the ferret can process?
I have read ALOT about pet nutrition, but because dogs are omnivores and cats can process some plant matter, I have not found any information about this.
Thanks,
Skyla