« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?  (Read 2085 times)

Offline BlackBirdSeesYou

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 92
Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« on: June 20, 2013, 02:09:39 PM »
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?
Logged
"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not
himself find peace." - Albert Schweitzer

the kids:

Opie the beagle/jack russel
Kurt and Eddie the rats
Marilyn and Puck the ferrets

Offline mutewolf

  • Posts Too Much!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1174
Re: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2013, 02:28:23 PM »
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.
Logged

Offline BlackBirdSeesYou

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 92
Re: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2013, 08:38:47 PM »
Ferretvite's a laxative?
Logged
"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not
himself find peace." - Albert Schweitzer

the kids:

Opie the beagle/jack russel
Kurt and Eddie the rats
Marilyn and Puck the ferrets

Offline mutewolf

  • Posts Too Much!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1174
Re: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2013, 02:10:49 PM »
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?
Logged

Offline BlackBirdSeesYou

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 92
Re: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« Reply #4 on: June 24, 2013, 02:15:42 PM »
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.
Logged
"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not
himself find peace." - Albert Schweitzer

the kids:

Opie the beagle/jack russel
Kurt and Eddie the rats
Marilyn and Puck the ferrets

Offline mutewolf

  • Posts Too Much!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1174
Re: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2013, 02:21:26 PM »
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.
Logged

Offline HowlsOfAngels

  • Posts Too Much!
  • *****
  • Posts: 751
  • Did everything just taste purple for a second?
Re: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« Reply #6 on: June 24, 2013, 02:54:04 PM »
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.
Logged
"Optimus Prime says 'No,' to promiscuos sex." - Alex Murphy

Offline mutewolf

  • Posts Too Much!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1174
Re: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« Reply #7 on: June 24, 2013, 03:24:47 PM »
I can't ever get my furkids to sit still for brushings so I didn't even think about that!
Logged

Offline BlackBirdSeesYou

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 92
Re: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« Reply #8 on: June 24, 2013, 03:32:46 PM »
Quote
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... :thumbsup2:
Logged
"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not
himself find peace." - Albert Schweitzer

the kids:

Opie the beagle/jack russel
Kurt and Eddie the rats
Marilyn and Puck the ferrets

Offline mutewolf

  • Posts Too Much!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1174
Re: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2013, 03:43:17 PM »
Yup. It's just not worth the fuss most of the time.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »