am i doing something wrong help

Question
hi, i got my 2 little babies well 2 years old and 1 years old a week ago from someone who couldnt take care of them.  Are babies are extremely underweight so i went to pet store and asked them what to do and what to feed them they were on cat food for a week.  We switched them to ferret food today and started giving are ferrets 1 teaspoon of ferretvite, but only to are girl so far cause are male was sleeping like a baby.  Well are girl all of a sudden had diarreah, but are male didnt should we be worried is it cause of the change of food and if so why didnt are male get it or is it cause of the ferretvite.  I read online that you could use dryer vent hose stuff for a tunnel but they started chewing it up so we took it away did i need to do this.  I know they need to have nails cut but ive never done this before should i go to vet and have them show me or should i be bale to do it on my own??  thank you so much

Answer
Hi Erin!

It's so kind of you to adopt two older ferrets.  It seems they did not have the best care in the past.  How wonderful it is they finally have a nurturing home!

The diarrhea is most likely due to the change in food.  Some ferret tummies are more sensitive than others which can be why your male does not have any loose stool. Be aware that diarrhea CAN be dangerous if it lasts too long.  Serious dehydration can occur, and if it continues or she develops other symptoms such as vomiting she needs to see a vet ASAP.     

I am surprised they accepted the new food so willingly.  Usually it is difficult to change a ferret's diet once they have imprinted on a certain brand.  Imprinting on certain foods happens at a very young age, and most will turn up their noses to anything else!   If you decide to switch brands, always introduce the new type by mixing it in with the old kibble.  I generally start with a 20/80 mixture, then increase the amount of new food over the next few days.  This allows the sensitive ferret tummies and taste buds to get used to the new diet.  

Diet is very important for these guys.  Especially since most types of ferret food are NOT healthy.  Thank you for doing your research!  Below are several good brands and things to look for. Make sure you are feeding HIGH quality food!  It can help prevent health problems in the future.    

There are several important things to look for when selecting a brand or brands of kibble.  It must contain high fat and protein content. Generally look for 35-40 percent protein (I have found any higher creates soft stool) and around 22 percent fat.  Every brand is different, and that is why I tend to choose 3 of the best, and create a mixture. For older ferrets, look for less protein, since it can cause stress on the kidneys.  Whichever brands you choose, make sure the first 3 ingredients are meat based and try to stay away from animal by-products since these are "filler" and contain less nutritional value.  Also, stay away from fish products if possible.  Make sure there are no vegetable additives and minimal carbohydrates, since ferrets are obligate carnivores and cannot digest plant material.  

Here are some brands I recommend:

Wysong Archetypal-1
Core Feline Wellness
Innova Kitten Chow (or the ferret version if available)
Totally Ferret (contains by-products, but should be ok if mixed)
Serengeti Cat (Timberwolf brand)
Wilderness by Blue Buffalo

This list is by no means all inclusive.  There are many other good types available, just check the labels. Not all premium kitten/cat kibble is good for these guys, and not even all brands of ferret-specific food!  I do not recommend feeding a raw diet.  Bacteria and other harmful pathogens and can be transferred by feeding raw meat.  These can include tapeworms, salmonella, and e-coli.

Remember to store all extra food in airtight containers (Such as for cereal storage).  If you buy three kinds of kibble, it will last you awhile!  Also, change the kibble in your ferret's bowl DAILY.  Some types (such as those that contain vitamin E) can go rancid quickly and cause stomach problems.  

Also, stay away from vegetables, fruits and milk products as treats.  Raisins can cause kidney failure, and too much sugar (anything that ends with -ose) can lead to insulinoma and other complications. I feed my guys dehydrated 100% chicken treats with no additives as snacks.  These can be found in the canine section of your local pet store.   Always check the ingredients for whatever you buy, since most store bought brands are not good for the little guys!    

There is a short FAQ that contains some info on nutrition from the AFA's Official Website:

http://www.ferret.org/read/faq.html

Ferrets LOVE tunnels, snugglies and blankets.  You can try all sorts of tubes and toys, but make sure they are safe.  It was wise of you to remove the tube they chewed.  Little bits of it could get lodged in their intestines and cause a blockage.  This is a SERIOUS condition that would need emergency surgery.  You might want to opt for a less-chewable toy.  Something thicker and more durable.  For example, I use a large concrete-form tube from home depot.  My ferrets LOVE it, and it is perfectly safe.  

You can certainly learn to trim your ferret's nails.  It is very easy, as long as they hold still.  One trick is to place some peanut butter or ferretvite on their tummy.  This will distract them while you get the job done.  As far as a how-to, a picture is worth a thousand words.  

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/ferretcare/a/ferretgrooming_2.htm

Just make sure you do not trim too close to the quick or it will bleed.  If you are still unsure, ask your vet to show you.  It is a very easy and simple process once you get used to it!  

I hope this answers your questions!  Sorry that my response is so lengthy, but I wanted to cover all of the important points =3

If you have any other questions, you know where to find me.

-Cindy P.