From:
"Ailigh"
Date: 2007-04-29 19:05:39 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Cloth eating
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
There hasn't been a lot of studies on Pica in ferrets and I don't hear
about it too much. In cats it is always nutrition related somehow.
In dogs it is either nutrition or lack of enrichment. So, ferrets? I
would tackle either route. Look for food that is HIGH in protein and
meats (In cats the ideal solution is to feed a whole prey - mouse etc
and that is a great cure). I feed Natural Gold which is high in
protein and lo in carbs - both a natural balance for a ferret.
Enrichment - running and playing (to use a simple analogy) is like
recess and not like school. Exercise is one tiny part of enrichment,
ferrets are very intelligent as we all have experienced and need a lot
of mental stimulation as well as play time.
I will also say that often if Pica is left untreated for too long then
the eating of fabric becomes habit also and even harded to treat. You
may need to remove anything in the cage that can be eaten until a
solution is achieved and even then be careful and only allow small
edible items at any given time to test the waters.
Ailigh Vanderbush
Animal Behavior and Training
Animalia.us
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