Ferret Weight

Question
My ferret, Bruce, seems so skinny.  He was kind of fat when we got him.  The vet said he could lose some weight. And he did just by being active. But now he seems too thin.  He's extremely active - I swear he has ADD.  He never stops running around when he's awake. I can't get him to sit still with me for even a minute.

I can't tell if he's eating properly because he tosses his food dish around and it spills into his bedding.  He's currently in a starter cage (we just bought him a Marshall Penthouse, but the one side panel has a incorrect screw hole so I am waiting for a replacement).  For now he's still in his smaller cage so I take him out at least 3 times a day for active playtime.  What is the normal weight range for a ferret? What are some of the danger signs of being too thin? My daughter says ferrets are supposed to be thin and since he's happy and active to not worry.

Also what is duck soup? And what is it for?

Answer
The only person who can determine if your ferret is a healthy weight is your vet. I can't tell you since I'm not there to see him. A male ferret's weight can range anywhere from barely 2 pounds to close to 5. Ferrets are long and skinny, but you shouldn't be able to see their bones or feel their bones around their rib cage or back. As long as he is pooping (obvious sign that he is eating) and seems active and happy you shouldn't really need to worry. As long as his fur and eyes are shiny and clear he should be healthy.

Duck Soup is a highly nutritious mix that can be added to a ferret's food to either increase weight or to entice a ferret to eat if he is sick or not eating. Usually people use it if they are switching food and the ferret is not taking to the new food; ferrets generally love the taste of Duck Soup, which can be found in the ferret aisle of your pet store. If you are truly concerned about your ferret's weight and think he is too thin, you might want to consider purchasing some Duck Soup to plump him up a bit.