Feeding the Ferret: The Ugly

     Humans are able to eat almost all foods without giving it much though but we must be aware of what we can give our pets without dire consequences.

      We know better than to give our pets even a tiny taste of some foods but we may not know the dangers of other foods until it is too late.

     Pet owners should know that chocolate is toxic to animals. The compound responsible for the toxicity is Theobromine. According to Vet Medicine, the toxic dosage for a dog is between 100-200 mg. It would take less to kill a ferret.

     Everyday in America new sugarless products emerge. These products contain the ingredient Xylitol. The most used item containing Xylitol is chewing gum. Chewing gum is a problem for ferrets in that they don’t know not to eat it. It can cause obstructions that can be fatal to a ferret. The Xylitol in sugarless gum has been linked to hypoglycemia better known as low blood sugar in animals. Ferrets with insulinoma are at higher risk.

     While not a lot is known about ferrets and how they do react to certain foods there have been incidents where a ferret has had a food allergy and like humans, it can be fatal.

     Peanuts may seem harmless but in reality, the hardness and small size can cause a host of problems including but not limited to intestinal blockage, choking, and seizures from allergic reaction.

     Popcorn may not seem like it could cause a problem but kernels that haven’t popped can choke a ferret. The soft part of the kernel once ingested can swell and cause blockages. Most popcorn is salted and buttered and this can lead to unhealthy weight gain.

     Seeds aren’t digestible and could cause blockages along with the possibility of choking.

     Avocados are poisonous to cats and with ferrets being even smaller; I would personally avoid giving any to a ferret.

     Onions contain disulphide that could lead to anemia.

     Corn is a plant material that isn’t digestible and passes though the intestinal system whole and can cause the soft lining to protrude though the anus. Known as a prolapsed rectum.

     Vegan pet food is on this list because of the controversy about how beneficial it is to animals such as cats, dogs, and ferrets. Which are carnivores and need meat in their diet to have proper nutrition.

     Sugar laden things such as candy, soda pop, energy drinks, and alcohol can cause blood sugar related problems along with tooth decay.

     Black licorice interferes with blood sugar levels. Which could be problematic to a ferret with insulinoma.

     Candy is known as lick and sticks in our house because my fur children don’t eat it. They will lick a pilfered piece until it is sticky and then leave it where I will usually step on it in my bare feet.

      Energy drinks have been linked to impaired adrenal responses in humans. Along with the adrenal interference, the sugar content would cause problems with a ferret that also has insulinoma.

     Alcoholic drinks convert into sugars and should never be given to animals.

     Dog food should never be given to a ferret as source of food because it lacks an amino acid called Taurine. An absence of taurine can result in eye problems that could eventually lead to blindness, hair loss, and tooth decay. It could also cause an enlargement of the heart in cats and possibly in ferrets.

     The ASPCA now has an Animal Poison Control Center that is open 24/7 year round. You can find some information on their site at http://aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control or if it is an emergency you can call (888) 426-4435. There could be a charge of $65 to your credit card for the use of the service. I didn’t find any information about ferrets so I am doubtful of how much knowledge they have about them.

     I hope you have found this series informational and given you some new information about giving our furry friends foods.

     Any remarks, thoughts, ideas, links to other blogs or websites are welcomed and appreciated.

Jo

     Please visit these places as they are great sources of information.

Veterinary Medicine http://vetmedicine.about.com

http://aspca.org

Tis the Season

     To have gaily wrapped presents under a tree. Homemade goodies and candies piled up on the counter from neighbors and friends or our own ovens. We let our guard down about our animals. Forgetting that some of the most wonderful things about this time of year can also be the most deadliest.

     Wrapping paper with its colorful print or metallic shine entices a ferret to come play with it. We forget that ferrets are the forever child that needs constant supervision. They love to put things into their mouths that could ultimately kill them. Some wrapping paper comes from around the world and the dyes that are used maybe toxic to a ferret who likes to lick paper. The metallic paper can produce its own hazard if it is ingested depending on what is used to give it the metallic look.

     Chocolate is poisonous to more than just ferrets. As can an overload of sugar be dangerous to a ferret. Candies often are called lick and sticks by ferret owners because a ferret will lick a piece of candy until it is sticky and then leave it somewhere to glue its self in place or the unsuspecting hooman steps on said piece of pilfered candy in his/her bare feet.

     Holiday plants pose their own brand of dangers. Some are toxic to animals and children that chew on them. The Christmas tree holds a number of hazards. The main one is its height. Remember ferrets don’t have depth perception so they always think they are only a few inches off the floor when in reality they are four to eight feet off of it and they love to climb.

     Next are those beautiful blinking lights. While they may memorize us with their beauty, a ferret wants that nifty bulb for him/herself. They don’t know there is electricity running through those wires or that the whole tree will come crashing down while pulling on that one bulb.

     If it is a live tree the pan with the water may have chemicals in it to preserve the tree for the time it is indoors. A ferret sees it as just another pan of water for them. Artificial trees cause problems when a ferret chews on the plastic needles and some of those sharp pieces make it into the ferret’s intestinal tract where they can puncture the lining.

     We as ferret owners can never let our guard down for that one second of inattention can lead to the injury or death of our beloved ferret.

Jo