From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2006-12-21 16:14:13 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Is fruit good for ferrets?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Ah, not that is actually a slightly tricky question.
Here's why.
Normally, it is best to avoid fruits except perhaps small amounts of certain one for
occasional treats or in certain medical situations.
Some fruits, such as hard, dried ones should be avoided at all times, just as hard veggies
should and nuts should. All of these have a history of causing fatal blockages, and with
stolen potatoes there was even someone long ago who I recall running into a solanine
poisoning situation from one that went green while hidden.
In addition, raisins and grapes have each caused acute kidney failure in ferrets, dogs, and
cats. The cause has not yet been found, even though there was exhaustive work already
on some of the possible causes within the groupings of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides,
fungicides, and fungi. The amounts that can cause problems are in the Ferrets magazine
article on this problem.
There is also the possibility that carbohydrates in the diet above a certain amount might
contribute to the formation of either insulinoma or diabetes; it is currently a hypothesis,
but one that is usually easy enough to follow just in case that many do (UNLESS certain
kidney diseases exist in which case lowering the protein content is far more important for
some of those).
Banana is very useful way to replace to potassium in ferrets who have to take diuretics.
Cranberries, blueberries (and their juices and dried ones that are not hard) have been used
with ferrets who have persistent urinary tract infection and (like in humans) the tannins in
them seem to be useful for preventing bacteria adhering to the bladder wall.
Is the raisin juice in food high enough to cause any problems or too little to matter?
Honestly, I don't know. Foods likely vary in how much is added, so I don't think that a
general statement can be made with any confidence.
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "rachaelsleighter" <rachaelsleighter@...> wrote:
>
> There are alot of treats and some foods that have fruit ingredients. I
> have read recently that is isn't good for them. The new food I am
> looking at getting contains raisin juice. I'm confused.
>
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