Message Number: FHL14708 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "Kim"
Date: 2012-02-06 17:30:46 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Raisin toxicity in ferrets
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

HI Angie,

First, let's clarify that human "treats" are NEVER safe for ferrets! Human "treats" generally fall under the chocolate, confectionary, fried, over salted or spiced categories. So with that in mind - what is considered a treat for a human - could be deadly to a ferret!

However ferrets DO have a sweet tooth and an amazing smeller and will be quickly drawn to the sweets that humans devour. Its tough to say no to those imploring faces. Afterall what's a tiny dab or dollop gonna hurt? Keep in mind that whatever a ferret eats three days in a week can be considered more than a treat and actually part of its diet! That sage advice comes from Bob Church - a respected, well known "Ferretologist".

Humans like to strengthen our bonds with our animal companions by feeding them treats. We perceive that it encourages the animal to love us more. The reality is that simply interacting with our animals is what encourages them to love us the most! Play, grooming, snuggling, exploring, and simply talking to them is what they really want!

With that being said there are MANY human grade meats that are perfectly safe for ferrets to eat in their raw forms as well as cooked (but unspiced or UNsalted) states.

All 8 of my crew enjoy all manner of raw poultry with Cornish Game Hen being their favorite. Raw fish and sushi as well as oil or water packed sardines. They'll get all sorts of raw meat as their main meals, but if I offer them pieces individually they get excited and THINK they are getting treats!

In the fruit department they are all attracted to bananas, blueberries, apples, pears, peaches and strawberries. But they are never allowed more than a teensy taste- like the size of a quarter of a blueberry! And never more than twice a week - so this morsel definitely retains treat status!

Once a week I give them plain mashed canned pumpkin which I know passes straight through them, but helps keep them free of hairballs.

Oils and fats are another safe favorite and can be offered daily. Olive oil, safflower, plain unsalted lard and butter, mayonnaise. ANy of these oils dribbled or smeared on their bellies makes nail trimming a breeze.

Ferrets also like dairy products and mine do enjoy regularly: heavy cream, homemade whipped cream (with less than a teaspoonful of powdered sugar per cup of cream), all manner of cheeses and sour cream. I have a weakness for ice cream, but do not buy it often (knowing my weakness) when I do indulge, I get mobbed by furry faces and as long as my indulgence does NOT contain chocolate - I'll let them lick too.

A bowl of pasta will bring them running too, and I'll admit to setting them up with a noodle to do the "Lady & Tramp noodle smooch". A couple like tomato sauce.

Wacky Whoopi snagged a shred of plain undressed iceberg lettuce last night and returned for seconds.

None of my guys are kibble crunchers - they all eat natural raw and whole prey items of wide varieties. So I'm not surprised they show interest in everything I eat. I have to be the "Mom" though and temper their desires with what is appropriate for them. Experiment sensibly and apply strict limits on quantities of "treats" or simply divide their normal ration and offer their own food in a treat way!

Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Kim


--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Angie Peterson <bzrthanab@...> wrote:
  Are their human treats that are well known for being safe for our ferret children???




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