Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?

[BlackBirdSeesYou]

Do I need to be giving laxatives to my ferrets on a regular basis? Or should I give it to them just during the shedding seasons?

[mutewolf]

This is one of those debated topics in the ferret world.

I personally only give them Ferretone and Ferrevite during shedding season and when I'm clipping their nails. There's a lot of sugar in these two things and I choose to keep it limited for that reason.

[BlackBirdSeesYou]

Ferretvite's a laxative?

[mutewolf]

It helps with their hairballs so I guess you could call it such. I just group it with FerreTone and all the stuff since that seems to be what people give. I don't give my ferrets any other supplements than those two things. What are you giving yours?

[BlackBirdSeesYou]

Nothing really, except the occasional squirt of Ferretvite, that brown, gooey, supplement. I just remember reading something about ferret's needing laxatives (which I thought was something totally different than Ferretvite and Ferretone) on a daily basis and wondered if that meant even when they weren't shedding. Though I don't think I need to worry too much because they're not even shedding right now.

[mutewolf]

Yeah, I think you're doing just fine. I up it to maybe 2x a week during shedding season if I hear them coughing more often but I don't think you need to keep it as a regular thing outside of that season.

[HowlsOfAngels]

I don't think I ever offered my guys laxatives, even during shedding season. If you're worried about furballs why not help them by way of brushing/bathing?

They even have a mini furminator out that you can use: http://www.amazon.com/FURminator-Small-Animal-deShedding-Tool/dp/B004A9UBUQ
As for bathing, once every few months with some infant shampoo worked well for my guys to help keep them smelling good and decrease shedding.

[mutewolf]

I can't ever get my furkids to sit still for brushings so I didn't even think about that!

[BlackBirdSeesYou]

can't ever get my furkids to sit still for brushings so I didn't even think about that!

Did you try scruffing?

HowlsOfAngels: Love the Futurama quote...

[mutewolf]

Yup. It's just not worth the fuss most of the time.