picky eater!

Question
Hi i recently got my first ferret 6 weeks ago and I'm having a hard time finding a food that he likes. When i got him he was on Marshall food and his poop was really stinky and soft that i slowly and am still in the process of changing his food to ultimate 8 in 1 crunchy advanced nutrition diet and he barely eats. I have done a lot of research on foods but i still don't know what food to try next....help!

Answer
Hi Scooter!

It is always difficult to change a ferret from one food over to another, as they usually 'imprint' on whatever food they were eating when they were tiny.

The best way to overcome this problem is to feed your ferret a combination of at least two to three of the premium ferret foods. That way you know he is getting the best nutrition possible and IF by some chance on of the foods changes their formula or stops making the food, your ferret will still eat. When you mix them all together, the tastes also blend, so you could start your "mixture" with Marshalls and 8 in 1 Ultimate and possibly one other one.

Here's a great list of foods so you can compare and choose which foods you want to try. Many companies will send you a small sample if you contact them.  If your local pet store doesn't carry these foods, the Ferret Depot or the Ferret Store online will send them right to your door.  I feed my kids Path Valley Ferret Food as one of their three and I order right from the Path Valley website online.  Here's where you can find the list and determine what foods you would like in your mixture:

http://www.ohioferret.org/INFO/nutri_prn.asp

You may have to start with the majority of the mix being food your ferret is already used to, then slowly add in new food/s, as ferrets change food very slowly. If you mix them all together in one bag and shake it up so that they are well mixed and stored together, that will help also.

My basic rule of thumb is that four of the first five ingredients MUST be meat or meat byproducts of some kind (NOT rice or fillers). Ferrets are obligate carnivores and they need their food to be meat based. The fillers are only there to hold it together and make it more palatable and so it stores better.

Same goes with treats -  NO sugars, only meat-based treats and your ferret will be happier and healthier.

Also, always be sure you are giving hairball remedy at least once a week so your ferret doesn't get hairball obstructions in the intestines.

Hope that helps - don't hesitate to write again if I can be of further assistance.  It may take a little time, but I'm sure that your little guy will get used to whatever you decide to put in your 'mix' and he will be healthier for it!

Sincerely,
jacquie rodgers