choking ferret

Question
Hi, I have an albino ferret, about a year old. We feed him ferret kibble, and when we bring him out to the pen, we wet it down because he always seems to choke on it when it's dry and he eats it, like when it's in his cage. He usually gets it up, but once a week or every other week, he coughs and 'gags' and just makes raspy noises for a few hours. He seems to just not close his throat when chewing dry food and pieces shoot into his throat or airwaves. He always acts normal when this happens, even when it lasts for hours, and will try to play until he sniffs to fast or something and then will make coughs and 'gags' again. It's happened about 3 times now where it's lasted more than 2 hours, and the other times, he either got it out over night (he doesn't seem to have problems sleeping, he actually seems more comfy sleeping when this happens) or it dissolved or something ....I don't know if this is how ALL ferrets eat, I've had people say they are familiar with their ferrets doing this, but for it to last so long worries me. Is there something I can do to help him get it up besides FerretLAX and offering him water, like gently shakin him upside down, or something? Also, how do I prevent this, or can I even? Is this just how ferrets eat? He doesn't like wet food at all, and I know you arent suppose to feed them wetfood from a can very often so I am just lost at what to do to help him out! He's going through it right now, but fortunatly he is sleeping while I am without a car to take him to the ER.



Thanks,

Kaytea

Answer
Okay, yes, ferrets make weird noises when they eat. It *sounds* like they're choking/gasping, but believe me, they know how to eat. Sometimes they eat too fast, which can be prevented by leaving DRY kibble available 24/7 and not letting their bowl get empty..this way they know they can eat their fill and not scarf it down in fear that you'll take it away or not refill it again. As far as the noises he makes AFTER eating...sometimes ferrets get hairballs just like cats, the best way to deal with this is to give him a Ferret Lax every couple of weeks or so to maintain and help digestion. (Follow instructions on the product). You do NOT have to wet his kibble or hold him upside down :) He's probably wondering what on earth you are doing. Try not to worry, I know the noises can be unnerving, but he's ok.