Penny passed away.

My little Penelope passed away yesterday by euthanasia at the vets. Six months ago I brought her in to see our vet becasue she wasn't doing so well. She was diagnosed with Lyphasarcoma. The vet gave me prednisolone to give to her, but the prediction on how long she would last was about six months, and it seems Penny fought it to the date. The meds did help her swing back for a time, she gained lots of weight, even started to play with the other ferrets, but in time the pred didn't seem to work, she seemed happy, but she kept loosing weight, and anything she ate didn't seem to help her. She was getting to be skin and bones, lethargic.. wanting to come out of her cage, but would just lay on the floor.

Yesterday I was getting worried that she seemed worse, wouldn't walk far, and was wobbly when she did. Even with the meds, Nuti-Cal, Nupro, Zupreem soup mix that she gladly ate, no changes. I could just tell Penny wasn't going to be around long and I didn't think she'd last more then a week, and my vet agreed. We discussed the options and decided it was best to put her to sleep. I didn't see much sense in bringing her home for a day or two where she would just lay around doing nothing becasue she was too weak - then just to bring her back and put her to sleep when she looked and felt worse off. But it was really hard, since she was more stimulated from being outside, she looked more lively then usual.

Selfishly I would have her live a few days longer until she felt horrible so that I could feel better, validated that she wasn't going to spring back, but that wouldn't have been right. I had this secret hope she would get better. Its more frustrating she was so young, two years at the most. I adopted her from a ferret shelter, she was one of a few ferrets that summer who were rescued from a home during a heat wave. We adopted her becasue she was so cute, white little feet, and the softest most lush ferret fur I ever felt!

First Tangy and now Penny , to much to handle so close together. I still have my three, Mint, Yuka and Penny and I hope I get a nice long stretch of healthy ferrets before anything comes up again. But Penny will be greatly missed. :(

South Shore Ferret Care event, in MA.

See their website here - South Shore Ferret Care Diane is a very nice woman, I adopted two of my ferrets from her, Penny and Yuka, and I would go there again :)

This event helps us to care for the hospice and abused ferrets who have found safety at the South Shore Ferret Care Shelter.

* Join us for a Blessing of the Ferrets

* The Forget-Me-Not Memorial Wall

* The Famous Ferret Playground

* Ferret Belly Dancing (ferrets with shaved bellies welcomed!)

* Ferret Items for Sale (including: Wonderful Weasel Laundry Soap, Dry Dook Soup Mix, bedding by Little Feet Ferret Retreat)

* Raffle Items

* Food and Goodies

* Admission: Adults: $5.00 Children: $1.00

* Ferrets: Free Admission

This event is open to the general public, folks who want to learn about ferrets, ferrets and their families. Ferrets who wish to have access to the ferret play ground will be required to provide proof of vaccination. We will also welcome older and special needs ferrets to accompany their family and receive a blessing. We encourage you to bring your photos, ashes, or remembrances of the ferrets who have gone on ahead to receive a blessing as well. Ferrets who have shaved bellies, necks or legs will be particularly featured for Ferret Belly Dancing

Contact Info: southshoreferretcare@comcast.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Diane at South Shore Ferret Care (781) 249-4628

Hospice Ferret’s Fundraising:

You can be a real “Life Saver” to help us buy the medicine that the older & special needs ferrets need each day. We could sure use your help with so gather up and bring with you donations for the coin jars:

“Pennies for Prednisone”

“Dimes for Diazoxide”

We also would be grateful for donations of other daily necessities: Yesterday’s News Litter, Chicken Baby Food, Paper towels, Newspapers, baby blankets or clean cloth diapers.

Ferrets, Fellowship, Food & Fun Day!

Date: Saturday, July 25 2009 - Time: 12:00pm- 4:00pm

Location: 2 Lantern Road, Holbrook, MA 02343

Contact Info: southshoreferretcare@comcast.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Diane at South Shore Ferret Care: (781) 249-4628

Angora Ferrets!

Just came across angora ferrets in my web surfing! I didn't realize they came in different coat types, just color types. I knew that marshal bred ferrets were typically smaller then breeder bred ferrets, but these angora ferrets are something special!

From my research on the web I've gathered a bit of info on them!

They come from a Sweden breeder who notice a genetic mutation in one of their ferrets who had longer fur on its back and hind legs.

They are apparently very energetic, inquisitive and strong headed.

They can weigh up to 7 pounds! jeez! My heaviest ferret Mint is three pounds, and shes a Marshal ferret, bit of a porker, 7 pounds... that's the size of my cats! Talk about ferretzilla!

And apparently someone named Marc Morrone is the only breeder in the US that sells angora ferrets coming from Europe. If you are interested in getting one, you should get in touch with him. Be prepared though to spend a few more dollars given that they are imported. (Ferrets - the angora ferret)

Found some good articles on angora ferrets, here on Ferret Universe.

Yay Crazy Daisy is MINE!

Husband let me put it on the credit card! he ordered a treat for himself, so of course he had to let me get something I wanted to be fair :P and what did I want? that bedding set made by Little Ferret Feet Bedding's

a set called Crazy Daisy, its a large eight piece set, comes with...

* X Large Hanging 2 pocket Sleeper bed 22" x 14"

*X Large Floor Sleepsack 19" X 14" fleece lined

* Round Snuggly Bed 10.5" x 5"

*Large Reversible Hammock 19" x 14"

*X Large Reversible Hammock 22" x 14"

*ROUND-A-BOUT Jingle Toy

* 2 of our CRAZY DAISY SCOOTIES ferret toys FOR STEALING!


They do custom orders as well, so if your looking for a set I highly recommend them! I managed to get mine on eBay for cheaper, they are always listing new auctions though, so if you want your less then the 52 dollar price for ordering a custom set, check out the LFFB eBay auctions, click here!

I ordered a set of ramp and shelf covers for the ferret nation cage as well. Wanted to be able to swap out my other set for easy washing. Hope to get it next week in the mail, and will post pictures!

Top Recomended Ferret Foods.

Thought id put together this helpful little list! When I first got interested in ferrets and was looking into adopting a pair I tried to do allot of research, and one of those was the best foods you could get on the market. Ferret food is a bit more specialized, as you cant just go to a grocery store and pick up the ideal brands, you need to go to a pet shop, and even then they don't always offer the best variety.

Ferrets are obligate carnivores, and food passes through the digestive system of a ferret very quickly. They also lack the ability to derive nutrition from plant matter. For this reason, a ferret diet must be high in animal protein, high in fat, and low in fiber. Higher then needed levels of carbs may lead to diseases such as insulinoma, gastroenteritis and bladder stones.

Basic Requirements for a Ferret Diet:

• High in protein - 30-40 percent on the label nutrition analysis
• Protein must be high quality, highly digestible, and be animal-based (not plant-based)
• High in fat (at least 20 percent, perhaps up to 30 percent on the label analysis)
• Very low in carbohydrates and fiber (less than 3 percent fiber)

Key:
Green - had the highest rating of the best foods.
Blue - second up in the better choices
(Contains Corn) not recommended.

8-in-1 Ultimate (Ferret) -
crude protein fat (not less than) 30
crude fat (not less than) 19
crude fiber (not less than) 3
First ingredient - Chicken
Second ingredient - Chicken Meal


The Ferret Store Superior Choice Natural
crude protein fat (not less than) 38
crude fat (not less than) 19
crude fiber (not less than) 2.5
First ingredient - Chicken
Second ingredient - Chicken Meal


The Ferret Store Superior Choice Original
crude protein fat (not less than) 38
crude fat (not less than) 19
crude fiber (not less than) 2.5
First ingredient - Chicken Meal
Second ingredient - Brown Rice


Wysong Ferret Archetypal I
crude protein fat (not less than) 50
crude fat (not less than) 28
crude fiber (not less than) 2.8
First ingredient - Beef
Second ingredient - Beef Liver


Zupreem (Ferret)
crude protein fat (not less than) 40
crude fat (not less than) 20
crude fiber (not less than) 2
First ingredient - Chicken Meal
Second ingredient - Chicken Fat
(What I feed my own ferrets!)

Natural Gold Ferret
crude protein fat (not less than) 50
crude fat (not less than) 21
crude fiber (not less than) 5
First ingredient - Protein Concentrate (Pork)
Second ingredient - Tapioca Starch

Frankie Ferret Food
crude protein fat (not less than) 36
crude fat (not less than) 19
crude fiber (not less than) 2
First ingredient - Poultry meal
Second ingredient - Wheat
(contains corn)

Totally Ferret Active
crude protein fat (not less than) 36
crude fat (not less than) 22
crude fiber (not less than) 1.5
First ingredient - Chicken by-product meal
Second ingredient - Rice Flour
(contains corn)

Totally Ferret Older
crude protein fat (not less than) 33
crude fat (not less than) 18.5
crude fiber (not less than) 1.5
First ingredient - Chicken by-product meal
Second ingredient - Rice Flour
(contains corn)


F.M. Brown's Ferret Diet
crude protein fat (not less than) 34
crude fat (not less than) 18.5
crude fiber (not less than) 2.5
First ingredient - Poultry Meal
Second ingredient - Ground Wheat
(contains corn)

Path Valley Farm (Ferret)
crude protein fat (not less than) 35
crude fat (not less than) 20
crude fiber (not less than) 3
First ingredient - Chicken
Second ingredient - Chicken Meal
(contains corn)


I use Zupreem Premium Ferret Dry Food and I order it online from PetFoodDirect.com - click here. 30 pound bags, so it lasts a while, and I feed four ferrets! The reason I choose this brand is becasue it was one of the top recommended. My ferrets all love it! and becasue its one of the more affordable foods on the market that I can purchase in It has no corn or artificial preservatives. Id recommend it to anyone that owns ferrets :)

There are plenty of other foods out there, Ive only listed some of the better ones. You can see a full and helpful chart here, ( with many more foods, cat food substitutes as well) one of the resources. MD Ferret Paws Inc and also Feeding Your Ferrets on About.com

Also found sourced at Ferret Universe

New Zazzle.com products!

I have a few new products, some bags and two new products lines! Check them out!

make custom gifts at Zazzle

Must have this ferret beeding set!

This is a funny story, well kind of! Ive been wanting another custom bedding set for my ferret cage so I can swap the one I have out now for easy cleaning and washing. Much easier then leaving the ferrets out all morning while they do nothing but sleep and poop in the corners of my apartment while I spend a few hours washing and drying their beds and setting it all up again.

So I was browsing Little Ferret Feet Bedding's eBay auctions, hoping for a good affordable grab. I found this set I REALLY loved. Behold! Crazy Daisy! how awesomely cheerful is this set?

I wanted it so bad, I bid up to 40 dollars, and was quickly out bid! that was my budget before other unexpected expenses came my way. *pouts*

When it ended I deiced to save a picture of it so I could custom order it later when i had more funds to do so. (hoping LFFB still could get the fabrics.)

Then I waited for the feedback to show for the listing once the auction was ended but never saw it! finally I had the idea to check my watched items and happen to notice she listed it again! maybe the first auction didn't go through? I don't know. I just ordered some things I needed more from www.petfooddirect.com More FerreTone, LaxaTone, NutriCal and Nupro so no extra cash in the pet funds!

So, help me get this set! buy my stuff lol! Have ferret things on Zazzle.com and Etsy - original ferret paintings, custom ferret portrait commissions :)

Pictures of my Fuzzles!

I took some picture of my fuzzles today! Been meaning to get some updated photos for a while. Was not easy getting them to stay still of course! They were awake and ready to explore and steal as much cat food as possible! But I got them against a nice white background which looks much nicer then my floor rugs.

This is Penny, she looks on the thin side because she has Lyphasarcoma, shed been on prednisolone for a few months now and is doing better, but she remains on the thin side even when eating well. She wouldn't sit still so I didnt really get any good pictures, and its not easy trying to capture her in a way that doesn't make her look ill. Id like to remember her happy and healthy.

These next few are pictures of Yuka. Yuka and Penny were adopted together from South Shore Ferrert Care shelter in Massachusetts.

Here is Mint! aka Mintings. She my little white tub! I adopted her with Tangy, the first two ferrets I ever owned. Tangy recently passed over. I rescued these two from someone who posted them on Craigslist.

Latte! the newest addition to the family! She was unexpected. At the time I already owned four ferrets! When she came in I had five! But we had the room for another. She came from a woman my husband knew from work. Their family had two, Latte's cage mate passed away and they wanted to find her a home rather then get another playmate, so she came to us! She's as big as Mint but not quite the same weight. Shes so fluffly and shes always bristled up. She reminds be of a bear so I often refer to her as my Kodiak ferret!