Having two ferrets & treats

Question
Hi,I have a male ferret he's 4 months old and i feed him ultra blend select 8 in 1 ferret diet.my first question, is it okay to feed him grape jelly as a treat? i have tryed different kinds of treats ferratone, rasins,ferrevite,ferret bites and none of these have worked.i was really happy to see that he liked jelly and i was hoping it was safe to continue to use it.my next question is how much harder is it to have another ferret. ive never had two animals at the same time so i have no idea what to expect.right now my ferret is pretty good behavior wise and he gets enough time out of the cage and lots of attention when hes out but there are two corners in my room that he really loves to get at being they are blocked off by cardboard for his safety. so hes been doing some pretty good destruction in those areas. we can just be playing on the floor and he will turn and go for them.im scared to add another ferret to my home and have the both of them tearing it up.. so i was wondering if having to ferrets helps that situation as in they will entertain each other enough to not want to do those things or will it just join in and help tear things up? please give me the pros and cons of having two.

Answer
Hi Jennifer:

Ultra Blend Select by 8 in 1 really isn't the best food you can get.  Ultimate by 8 in 1 in a much much better food.  Here's a great food chart that will help you choose wisely to get the best food for your money; and the best food for your ferret:

http://www.mdferretpaws.org/care/food_treats.html  

Ferrets are 'obligate carnivores'...their digestive system is designed to digest ONLY meat and meat byproducts and/or a kibble with these as their primary ingredients.

The important thing you need to know is that you should change his food SLOWLY....first just add a few of the new kibbles to his food bowl, then slowly keep adding more and more of the new food and less of the old food each time you refill his food dish.  If you mix the new food with about 1/2 bag of the old and shake it well and often, the smells/flavors will blend and help him accept the new food quicker. Hopefully by the time you finish one more bag of the old food, you will have him switched over to the new, healthier food - either 8 in 1 Ultimate (the only food by 8 in 1 that meets a ferrets dietary requirements) or Totally Ferret, Path Valley, Mazuri, Sheppard & Greene or Marshalls - all premium ferret foods.

As far as the grape jelly - ferrets LOVE sweets. They should NOT have sweets tho.  Ferrets already tend to have blood sugar control problems, often developing insulinomas (tumors of the pancreas) at middle age and that can shorten their lives drastically.  I *never* ever recommend giving a ferret ANYTHING with sugar in it for this reason. Raisins are even worse, as they can affect the kidneys over long term of if the ferret eats more than about one raisin a week (cut into 1/4ths).  Giving jelly or any other sugary treat to a ferret is just not a good idea. As much as you certainly mean well, ferrets sure don't *need* treats. It is we humans who feel like we need to give them treats.  Give him a hug - it's much much healthier for him!

As far as getting another ferret - they would probably play together a LOT, especially if you allow him to go with you when you choose his little buddy (I *always* recommend you take him with you to choose another ferret). It's also a good idea to get a ferret about the same age, so you may want to look for a shelter in your area. Shelter ferrets make the BEST pets by far!  Here is a list of shelters:

SHELTERS - CANADA, GERMANY, NEW ZEALAND
 * http://www.ferretfacts.com/ferret-shelter-directory-international-ferret-shelter...

SHELTERS/RESCUES - UK (ENGLAND)
* http://www.everythingferret.com/ferret_shelters.htm
* http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ferreter/ferretrescues.htm
* http://www.ferretfacts.com/ferret-shelter-directory-international-ferret-shelter...

SHELTERS/RESCUES - U.S.
* http://www.ferret.org/links/shelters.shtm
* http://www.everythingferret.com/ferret_shelters.htm
* http://groups.msn.com/Ferret/yourwebpage5.msnw
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-products.html
* http://www.ferretfacts.com/ferret-shelter-directory-us-ferret-shelters.html

The new ferret will also probably tend to go potty where he/she smells your current ferret has pottied; AND will probably dig in the same places too.  Ferrets just don't like to blocked off from ANYplace *else*....the grass certainly must be greener on the other side of the barricade, isn't it?? :-)  They certainly believe it is. My ferrets usually tire of digging at blockades over time.  Another ferret really isn't a lot different than just one ferret.  The third ferret is the one where you will notice a difference...or at least it was for me. Two ferrets are basically the same as one to take care of; they DO help with a cuddle-buddy and someone to play with.  The only cost difference you will notice is that yearly immunizations will cost twice as much; you will use a bit more litter and food, but not a noticeable change.  For the small difference in cost, most people think it is a better idea to have two ferrets than one. It is possible, however, in my opinion, to have one ferret as long as they get DAILY one-on-one time with their owners and get out and about occasionally to keep their interest. Don't expect a second ferret to be either a brat OR an angel...every ferret has his/her good points and bad points. There will be things you love and things you wish they would change, but the one thing I can guarantee is that they WILL steal your heart if you give them a chance!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers