From:
Joanne
Date: 2005-08-12 18:10:42 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] hairball question
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20050812181042.81554.qmail@web53009.mail.yahoo.com>
Hairballs aren't always "hair" sometimes they eat things they are not suppose to which causes a blockage... though we all seem to refer to it as a hairball. When ferrets scratch themselves by biting, they are also getting fur in their mouths... and they just don't have the ability to take it out of their mouths like I have to do all the time when I get fur in my mouth from them, my cat or my dogs. :-)
We've only had a couple ever chew bedding and it has always been a sign of pain for us. Though I do know that some do it out of bordom. Normally it's not something that stays with them once the problem is fixed. Except of course if that bedding happens to be rubber... but then again if it is rubber you have to refer to the first paragraph :-) hee hee
Joanne
Ferret Corner Shelter
rezgrrl@netzero.com wrote:
The recent discussion on coughing and hairballs reminded me of something I've been wondering for a while: How the heck does a ferret even get hairballs?! I see cats licking themselves all the time, but I've never ever seen a ferret grooming. The most I've seen is a couple of licks on another ferret's face, and Jasper, who used to suck Daphne's ear while they slept. Unless I've just had unusual ferrets, I don't understand how this can become a major problem. Also, how common is it for them to chew bedding?