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Author Topic: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?  (Read 2172 times)

Offline BlackBirdSeesYou

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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?
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"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

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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.
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Offline BlackBirdSeesYou

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Re: Should ferrets get laxatives even when not shedding?
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2013, 08:38:47 PM »
Ferretvite's a laxative?
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"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

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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?
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Offline BlackBirdSeesYou

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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.
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"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

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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.
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Offline HowlsOfAngels

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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.
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Offline mutewolf

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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!
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Offline BlackBirdSeesYou

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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:
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"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

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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.
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