ferretfreedomfighters

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Lets talk about spaying/neutering ferrets

and the early spay/neuter and the complications associated with it  ⁣ Animal mills must fix their ferrets at a very young age (before 8 weeks of age) prior to shipping out to the store. 👎🏻 There are many issues that go along with this. Today’s focus will be on Hyperadrenocorticism (aka Cushing Disease)

Hyperadrenocorticism (or Cushings) is when the adrenal glands are forced to overproduce hormones for the missing gonads. A study done in the Netherlands confirmed a significant correlation between age of altering and diagnosis. Adrenal disease can cause hair loss, weight loss, vulval swelling, overly itchy skin & hyper-sexuality. This can’t be cured, but can be treated. ⁣

Adrenal disease is SO common in fixed ferrets (mostly early fixed ferrets), I’m sure all of you can think of someone that has an adrenal ferret. ⁣

🔹 If you have unaltered ferrets, discuss the course of action with your veterinarian. We’re just here to examine the complications of early spay/neuter not what you personally should do. Though we highly suggest at least for males to wait to neuter.⁣

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Lets talk about ferret “descenting”

⁣“DESCENTING” (aka anal gland mutilation) is a surgical procedure done on all animal mill produced ferrets to make them more appealing to customers. This is generally done during the spay/neuter surgery forced upon newborn kits (another issue entirely...) ⁣⁣

The anal glands are removed to help ferrets “smell less” but it’s an entirely unnecessary procedure unless not doing so threatens the ferret’s life. Ferrets have stinky oil glands all over their body. ⁣⁣

According to the American Ferret Association: “The only real difference between a ferret that has had its anal glands removed and one that has⁣⁣ not is that the ferret retaining its anal glands can use them to emit a burst of scent. Such emissions admittedly have a rather strong smell. But they occur very infrequently when the ferret is somehow frightened, and the smell dissipates within just a few minutes.”⁣⁣

The AFA strongly opposes this procedure. In over 30 European countries, it’s illegal and considered mutilation, and will only be done if frequent impactions occur (rare). Reputable breeders around the world will not elect to do this with their kits, and many provide contracts to ensure the new home won’t do it either. ⁣⁣

⚠️ THE DANGERS OF ANAL GLAND MUTILATION ⚠️

❌ RECTAL PROLAPSE - The most common complication. Most will go down with a minimal treatment plan, but some do require additional surgery. Can lead to a weakening of the anal sphincter, causing frequent prolapses and incontinence.⁣ (swipe for a picture 😞)⁣

❌ INFECTIONS - Infections during healing and months after if bits of gland tissue are accidentally left behind. This procedure is done in high volumes on kits at animal mills, one can assume they are not paying attention to these things. ⁣⁣

❌ REMOVES THEIR FORM OF DEFENSE - Ferrets will use their anal glands to protect themselves from danger. They may not fear for their lives in your home, but if they ever escaped (they are known to) they would have no form of defense along with no knowledge of survival aside from their instincts. Your ferrets chance of survival is slim.

❌ CANCER RISKS. Evidence suggests there is a 70% greater ratio of cancer in “descented” ferrets than those who are not. We do know mill bred ferrets are prone to various diseases and problems. ⁣⁣

⁣⁣Ferrets are animals. They smell. Selling “descented” ferrets is misleading. Ferrets are suffering because of this ploy. 🙅🏼‍♀️ BOYCOTT ANIMAL MILLS!! Nothing they do is in the best interest of the animals. Nothing. Ever. ⁣  ⁣⁣

[ferretfreedomfighters]

❓A question we get asked a lot...should you get a Marshall ferret at all? ⁉️⁣ ⁣ YES! Many people get confused and think we’re saying to never adopt/rescue mill ferrets. Fact is...most of our ferrets come from mills! There’s no way around it. ⁣

🌟 Adopting from shelters; supports local business & your money goes to helping shelter animals, and opening a spot for more ferrets to be taken in. Ferrets will have been cleared by a vet. ⁣ ⁣ 🌟 Adopting off Craigslist/Facebook; helps people and ferrets in need. ⁣ ⁣ 🌟 Purchasing from a reputable breeder; supports those trying to better the health lines of ferrets. Lines have been destroyed due to mill breeding, our ferrets lifespans are cut in half. Good breeders are there to help fix this. Ferrets will have been cleared by a vet.⁣

OR

❌ Buying from pet shops....Supports the cruel, unethical treatment of animals. Fuels facilities partaking in animal testing and mutilation. Animals are ripped from their mothers too soon, and have a high chance of carrying disease, parasites and more.

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Over the next few weeks we will be sharing public violations and inside investigation notes on ferret mills. ⁣

⚠️ WARNING: Graphic, upsetting content. Blacklist “tw: animal abuse” if you do not wish to see these posts⚠️

TRIPLE F (PA based)⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ “I found one female who was approximately six weeks old who appeared to have a rectal prolapse. I … saw approximately ¾” of an internal organ protruding from her anus; she was bleeding from the anus, appeared very small for her age and was confined in a cage with eight other, larger, and apparently healthy/unremarkable female weanlings. The protrusion looked to be the approximate size of a grape. … I informed [Senior employee 3] … of this weanling’s condition. … [Senior employee 3] looked at me and said, “It’s probably a prolapse,” and, using the term workers use to refer to killing ferrets, added, “I am not x-ing right now. As a matter of fact, I am not x-ing until next week.” She then walked away from me. I took this to mean that this ferret would be left to suffer in this condition until at least “next week,” if she did not die before then.”⁣ - Excerpt from inside investigation at Triple F.⁣⁣⁣ (Photo is a laboratory ferret)

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Over the next few weeks we will be sharing public violations and inside investigation notes on ferret mills. ⁣

⚠️ WARNING: Graphic, upsetting content. Blacklist “tw: animal abuse” if you do not wish to see these posts⚠️

MARSHALL FARMS/BIORESOURCES (NY based)⁣⁣⁣ “In March 2006, the Inspector found that puppies were being euthanized and necropsied in a medical building in front of hospitalized puppies, potentially causing them distress. During an inspection in September 2006, an excessive fly infestation in some buildings, including the treatment/necropsy area, was also noted. In 2007, three young dogs were found with their bodies and their cages covered in blood after having their nails trimmed. Three other dogs were found with their cage door left open, and loose ferrets were observed both inside and outside buildings.” (Photo is from a laboratory ferrets PDF)

[ferretfreedomfighters]

⚠️ Why should you ditch the malt paste? ⚠️⁣

⁣Malt pastes are often fed to ferrets as a daily supplement, or as an occasional treat. Both should never be done. Along with it being a mill produced product (if you buy it- you’re supporting animal mills and animal testing!) Just take a look at that label...⁣ ⁣ ❌ Malt syrup. Sugar is not species appropriate. It cannot be converted into anything useful in the body. Carnivores get their energy from the healthy fats and proteins from meats. Sugar causes tooth decay, and tumors of the pancreas (Insulinoma). High glucose levels create high demand on the pancreas to produce insulin allowing the cells to use glucose. The chronic high levels of blood sugar and stimulation of the pancreas to produce and release insulin (caused by high carb/sugar diets) is strongly believed to contribute to the development of this disease. Sugar FEEDS CANCER 😞⁣ ⁣ ❌ Mono & Diglycerides are used as an emulsifier. Monoglycerides contain trans fats, feeding a supplement with these trans fats daily can cause heart disease among many other problems. During manufacturing, they can both become contaminated with lead, mercury and arsenic to name a few. ⁣ ⁣ ❌ Canola oil. Source of inactive fatty acids. Not species appropriate for obligate carnivores. No studies to suggest benefit for them. ⁣ ⁣ ❌ Cod liver oil. Active fatty acids, bountiful in vitamin A. I do not recommend cod liver oils for ferrets because of this. It’s very easy to exceed daily recommendations of vitamin A, it cannot be naturally excreted by the body so any excess builds up. Overtime this can cause problems. Fish oil ingredients and products oxidize (go rancid) long before they hit your shelf. Feeding rancid fish oils is very harmful. ⁣ ⁣ ❌ Wheat germ oil. Not species appropriate for obligate carnivores. No studies to suggest benefit for them. ⁣ ⁣ ❌ Cane molasses. Not species appropriate for obligate carnivores. Sugar FEEDS cancer. ⁣ ⁣ The rest are nutrients in synthetic form that the ferret would find naturally in their diets. Synthetic nutrition is not proven bio available for ferrets. All this product provides is a horrendous amount of sugar and oils. ⁣

🍬🍭 Is there any connection to high carb food and treats and metabolic disease in carnivores? YES!!! We are learning more each year that these items have no place in the diet of the ferret. There’s a reason the lifespan of the domestic ferret is cut in half here in the states and Canada, where these items are commonly fed.⁣ ⁣ TREAT YOUR FERRET TO SOMETHING GOOD!⁣ 💜 Fresh meats! Chicken hearts, breasts etc. ⁣ 💜 Raw eggs. This should be a staple component in any diet for ferrets!⁣ 💜 If your crew is kibble fed, swap commercial treats for dehydrated or freeze dried animal meat!⁣ ⁣ ✏️ Do this simple step for your ferrets by cutting out carbs and you should see improvement in all aspects of their health. ⁣

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Over the next few weeks we will be sharing public violations and inside investigation notes on ferret mills. ⁣

⚠️ WARNING: Graphic, upsetting content. Blacklist “tw: animal abuse” if you do not wish to see these posts⚠️

TRIPLE F (PA based)⁣⁣⁣⁣ “ While I was caring for ferrets and their approximately four-week-old offspring in barn two, I found one ferret who had one kit confined to a cage with her. … The kit appeared to be barely alive; her eyes were closed and swollen and her head looked very large in comparison to her body. As I gently picked her up and out of the cage, her head was cradled inside of the palm of my right hand. In picking her up to check for signs of a staph infection, I gently touched her forehead with my double-gloved left index finger. Almost instantly, her eyes seemed to explode. A large amount of a slightly-green, pus-like substance came from both of her eye sockets, which seeped this substance for a minute or more. There appeared to be a tremendous amount of pressure built up inside the young ferret’s head and the pus-like substance drained rapidly. The ferret appeared to die quickly, in my hands, in less than a minute; she stopped breathing and became limp.”⁣ - Excerpt from inside investigation at Triple F.⁣⁣ (Photo is some laboratory ferrets)

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Over the next few weeks we will be sharing public violations and inside investigation notes on ferret mills. ⁣

⚠️ WARNING: Graphic, upsetting content. Blacklist “tw: animal abuse” if you do not wish to see these posts⚠️

MARSHALL FARMS/BIORESOURCES (NY based)⁣ “In February 2006, a USDA inspector found numerous AWA violations resulting from inadequate veterinary care and daily health monitoring that are cause for serious concern, including: a dead puppy kept in a refrigerator used to store drugs; and several dogs with obvious injuries and medical conditions (some of whom had blood in or around their cages), including a semi-conscious and shaking newborn puppy and a dehydrated puppy who had to be euthanized. The inspector also found dogs kept daily in dark cages; damaged and dirty cages that posed a risk of injury to the dogs; dogs grouped with incompatible dogs (exposing them to injury); and dead and decomposing wild mice in several buildings.”⁣⁣

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Over the next few weeks we will be sharing public violations and inside investigation notes on ferret mills. ⁣

⚠️ WARNING: Graphic, upsetting content. Blacklist “tw: animal abuse” if you do not wish to see these posts⚠️

TRIPLE F (PA based)⁣⁣⁣ “ When I was [caring for] female ferrets suspected of having mastitis in barn one, I found one who appeared to be near death. … When I picked her up, it looked as if her abdomen had rotted from the inside out. There was a large, open wound that covered most of her abdomen. The wound looked like black sludge and the ferret smelled like rotting flesh. There was quite a bit of blood and her internal organs were exposed. She looked very thin and dehydrated, as much of her flesh was sagging off of her body. Her eyes looked sunken and her breathing was shallow. … I asked [Employee 2] if there was something that could be done for this ferret, as she was obviously suffering and barely alive. [Employee 2] looked at her and said, “Maybe she will get better,” and then told me to … “[l]eave her.”⁣ - Excerpt from inside investigation at Triple F.⁣

(Photo is a ferret being used in flu vaccine research)

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Over the next few weeks we will be sharing public violations and inside investigation notes on ferret mills. ⁣

⚠️ WARNING: Graphic, upsetting content. Blacklist “tw: animal abuse” if you do not wish to see these posts⚠️

TRIPLE F (PA based)⁣⁣⁣ “Approximately four of the live newborn ferrets whom [Triple F’s co-owner] cut loose from umbilical cords appeared deformed, as their intestines were visible and outside their bodies. [Triple F’s co-owner] told me that these ferrets were “no good” …. About 45 minutes later, I saw her gather these live newborn ferrets from the tub. … I saw [Triple F’s co-owner] look at the live newborns while picking them up out of the tub and when putting them in the incinerator. I saw her place these approximately four live newborn ferrets inside the incinerator; she then closed the lid of the incinerator ….”⁣ -Excerpt from inside investigation at Triple F.⁣ ⁣ I don’t understand how people can knowingly purchase ferrets and mill produced products after learning the truth. It breaks my heart 💔

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Over the next few weeks we will be sharing public violations and inside investigation notes on ferret mills. ⁣

⚠️ WARNING: Graphic, upsetting content. Blacklist “tw: animal abuse” if you do not wish to see these posts⚠️

TRIPLE F (PA based)⁣⁣“I saw [Senior employee 1] perform what I suspected was a sterilization surgery on a female. I saw [Senior employee 1] tug and pull at the young ferret’s internal organ(s) for at least a minute while the weanling cried in apparent pain and thrashed about in [Senior employee 1]’s hand. After she finished pulling out and cutting off a portion of the weanling’s organ(s), [Senior employee 1] looked at me and said of the ferret, “She won’t remember it,” and then laughed.”⁣- Excerpt from inside investigation at Triple F.

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Are you okay with supporting this?⁣

An inside investigation of a ferret mill (Triple F) in PA. I’ve withheld the graphic clips. But let me assure you it’s heartbreaking 💔 ⁣

You are supporting ferret mills when you...⁣

Purchase pet store ferrets.⁣

Purchase mill produced products and food. (Marshall pet products, Path Valley pet products) 

Purchase anything from any pet store that sells mill bred ferrets. ⁣

⁣What can you do instead?⁣

Adopt ferrets from shelters, ferret groups, or pet finder type websites. ⁣

If you can’t adopt, consider sponsoring or fostering ferrets from shelters. ⁣

Buy from local pet stores that DO NOT sell mill ferrets. (Buyer beware: many stores still sell rodent mill animals - there are plenty of stores that don’t sell animals though!)⁣

Support small businesses. Ferret beds, hammocks can be purchased by Etsy sellers. You can also learn to make your own. ⁣

Switch your ferrets diet if on MF/PVF foods. These foods are not species appropriate anyways. We recommend Ziwipeak. Even better, homemade raw diet!

Support and recommend legislation that regulates the breeding and selling of animals. ⁣

SPEAK OUT! Tell your friends, your neighbors. Plant the seed. ⁣

Over the next few weeks we will be sharing public violations and inside investigation notes on ferret mills. ⁣

⚠️ WARNING: Graphic, upsetting content. Blacklist “tw: animal abuse” if you do not wish to see these posts⚠️

Excerpt from inside investigation at Triple F:

“⁣I saw several dozen ferrets with newborn ferrets suckling them inside of the dishpans. Other ferrets gave birth at the rear of the cages, where they typically defecate; because of this, the newborns fell through the wire mesh floor and fell to the cement floor below. I saw over 100 newborns squirming in feces that were on the floor or wiggling on the cement. I saw three newborns who were hanging from the wire mesh floors and were suspended in the air by what I suspected was afterbirth. [Senior employee 1] did not acknowledge any of these newborns, so I asked her what we were supposed to do about those who had fallen to the floor or were suspended in mid-air. She said … “Just leave them.” … After finishing the “weaning” chores approximately two hours later, [Senior employee 1] showed me how to “dry feed” ferrets. … We were to push the carts around and scoop the dry food out and fill the ferrets’ food containers as we pushed. … As she moved her cart through the aisles, she began running over live newborns who had squirmed into the aisles. I saw [Senior employee 1] run over at least four newborn ferrets with the cart. After she ran over the second newborn, she looked down and kicked the ferret’s remains out of the aisle. … She proceeded to run over at least two further newborn ferrets. Blood squirted from the young ferrets’ bodies and I saw their internal organs on the cement floor.”⁣

[ferretfreedomfighters]

Not only are the conditions in pet mills dreadful, but also the stores that sell pets. 😔⁣

Here is an account by an ex pet store employee, submitted to us to share to the page. ⁣

I myself have walked into these stores and have seen the filthy cages, moldy bottles and empty food dishes. Poop stuck to the walls...the smell sometimes so overwhelming it sticks to your clothes. ⁣

While our focus is on sharing the truth of animal mills, I find these accounts important too. Further fuel to our cause that these ferrets need OUT! 👎🏻

[ferretfreedomfighters]

🚨 PSA: These Marshall Ferret beds on the market have KILLED PETS! 🚨⁣⁣

🐙 Popular Marshall Octopus bed has killed ferrets. The cheap material and lining has gotten them stuck. ⁣⁣⁣⁣

Amazon reviews:

🐊 Alligator bed has killed ferrets. Also by getting them stuck and slowly suffocating them. ⁣⁣⁣

Amazon reviews:

🐢 Turtle bed. Also killed ferrets. ⁣⁣⁣

Amazon reviews:

KEEP YOUR BABIES SAFE!! Purchase from reputable small businesses. Reputable companies HAVEN’T KILLED PETS! ⁣⁣We shouldn’t have to worry if the BEDS we purchase are safe for our ferrets. Period.

[ferretfreedomfighters]

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Buy Pet Store Ferrets

check it out on weebly

[ferretfreedomfighters]

⁣JUSTICE FOR SITKA - A Marshall Ferret Story

❌⁣ ❌⁣ Marshall Ferrets is the leading ferret mill in North America. They supply most of the pet stores in the USA with ferrets and pet stores across all of North America with ferret supplies. Marshall Ferrets is first and foremost a ferret mill. Ferret mills force female ferrets to breed out of season by injecting them with hormones, take their babies away from them when they are far too young, and over breed their females in order to meet the supply and demand needs put forth by their customers. Along with this, Marshall Ferret’s products are absolutely awful for ferrets: their malt paste and treats contains harmful sugars and carcinogens, their ferret kibble is essentially McDonalds for ferrets, and their toys are easily destroyed which creates choking and blockage hazards.

But, capitalism persists. This company rakes in millions of dollars every year, and they won’t stop until the money stops coming in. Please consider boycotting Marshalls and not purchasing any ferrets from pet stores, or buying any products that come from this terrible and unethical company. ❌⁣ ❌⁣

Here is Sitka’s story:

“This story is not easy for me to tell, I will.

For Sitka.

I bought Sitka from Petco on March 2nd, 2019. I knew nothing of Marshall Farms and their unethical and inhumane handling and breeding of ferrets. All I knew was that I had spent two years dreaming of owning a ferret and was finally ready to bring one into my heart and home. As soon as I saw Sitka, I knew he was the one. But looking back now, Sitka was way too young to have been in that display case, open for just anyone to purchase. He should have still been with his mother and siblings for at least four more weeks. Sadly, this is the case for all ferrets sold by Marshall Farms. While they claim the kits leave their farm at 8-9 weeks of age, I, along with many others, believe this is not the case and that most of the kits are ripped away from their mothers earlier than claimed.

Once I got Sitka home, I immediately noticed that he was scratching vigorously at his hears. During his first vet visit, the veterinarian confirmed that he had an ear mite infestation and an infection in one of his ears. Again this is the case for many ferrets purchased from Marshall Farms due to the poor and unhygienic living spaces. 

Although I wasn’t the perfect ferret owner while I had Sitka, I feel like I could do a lot right now. I never fed any of the pastes, supplements, or treats made by Marshalls. I switched him to a much better kibble than Marshall’s and used a water bowl instead of a bottle. I only used oatmeal to bathe him and gave him 24/7 free roam in my room. Sitka and I were inseparable. Wherever I was, he was. There were even more mornings that I woke up and found him sleeping in the bed with my pillow.

It saddens me knowing that Sitka never had another ferret to play with and while I know humans can never replace ferret companionship, I made sure that Sitka was stimulated every day and had hours of playtime with me. And trust me, we played hard.

Flash forward 6 months lager, we had just moved into a new apartment, and I started to notice that Sitka was sleeping longer and longer. At first, I thought it was because he was stressed from the move, but then I noticed that his hind legs began to wobble and move with difficulty. I scheduled a vet appointment and took him as soon as I could the vet found that he was running a high fever and was dehydrated. She gave him some fluids subcutaneously and prescribed me with Metronidazole which is an antibiotic used to treat many infections.

I gave Sitka the Metronidozole every 12 hours for a week, but I saw no improvement. Instead, Sitka’s condition got even worse. he was extremely lethargic and his hind legs had given out almost completely. The only time he would move was to go potty, but he would only make it a couple of inches before he’d give up and relieve himself where he was. During this entire week, I was also syringe feeding and watering him since he would not eat or drink on his own. I took him to the vet again. He had lost some weight despite my efforts to keep him fed. His fever was still present, and now his head tilted to one side permanently. This time we had blood work, x-rays, and an IV done. While palpating his stomach, the vet also felt a mass in his midsection. Since there were no overnight veterinary hospitals in my city, I had to take Sitka home with me. Every hour or two for days, I would inject fluids into Sitka’s IV. I was exhausted and drained from the worry of losing him and lack of sleep. I prayed that any call I would get from the vet would tell me that it was something I could fix. But, this was not the case. The vet called and told me that the x-rays showed that his spleen, liver, and kidneys were enlarged. The blood work also showed that his organs were beginning to fail. I held Sitka close and told him over and over again how much I loved him. I didn’t want him to be alone for a second.

The following day I took Sitka back to the vet. while in the exam room, the vet explained to me what she believe was his diagnosis. Ferret Systematic Coronavirus. FRSC is simple to the dry form of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), and like FIP, there is no cure. A more common coronavirus seen in ferrets is ferret enteric coronavirus which causes epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE), but more and more cases of FRSC have been reported from the United States. Like ECE, FRSC is extremely contagious and transferred from fecal matter. The only way to prevent FRSC is by avoiding exposure from ferrets that are infected, and to keep cages clean and disinfected.

To be sure this was what Sitka had, we did an ultrasound. I can’t remember exactly what the vet saw, but it did confirm our fears. She further explained to me what the results of the blood work meant, but I was not in the right mind to listen or learn. All I was thinking about was that I was about to make the hardest decision in my life. There was a choice to potentially treat his symptoms, the vet explained that it was clear he had suffered from central nervous system damage since he had hind limb paralysis and had a head tilt. I made the decision to end his suffering and humanly euthanize him. I stayed there with him and thanked him for being my companion for the short time I had him, and told him over and over again how much he was loved and how he’d be missed. The vet announced that he no longer had a heartbeat and I held and kissed him for the last time.

After talking with my vet and one of the animal science professors, we have concluded that Sitka must have been infected by his mother. Like FIP, his virus must have started off asymptomatic and then later mutated and infected and spread throughout his body. Marshall Farms does not keep clean and disinfect cages. They do not test their ferrets for diseases like these and they do not care how genetically healthy their breeder ferrets are. They only care about producing cute and exotic colored kits no matter the issues that come along with them. I wouldn’t wish any ferret owner to experience what I did, but knowing that Marshall Farms will continue to mass-produce and inbred ferrets in unclean conditions, it is bound to happen again. Sitka was only 8 months old when he left me. He and all the others like him deserve justice. Please boycott Marshall Farms and all their products.”

Sitka is not the first, and certainly wont be the last, Marshall ferret to leave his owners much too young. Unhealthy breeding practices are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problems with Marshall Ferrets. Do your part to stop the breeding of ferrets at ferret hell (aka MF). Do not buy ferrets from pet stores. Do not purchase any Marshall products (this includes toys, cage accessories, food, treats, and shampoos). We have the power to make a difference for ferrets across North America.

If you have a story about a mill bred ferret that you would like to share, please send it to our submit box so we can use it to help educate.

[ferretfreedomfighters]

INGREDIENTS FOR MARSHALL FERRET PRODUCTS BREAKDOWN

Why are there so many products on the market for ferrets with PROVEN harmful ingredients? 💀 ⁣

🌱 Aloe Vera, Tea tree/ any essential oils. EOs build up in their organs and create toxicity overtime. Ferrets have died due to scented candles and oil diffuses. While there are more studies proving the hazards when EOs are consumed, ferrets lick themselves clean. Any residue from the scented shampoos marketed for ferrets WILL be ingested. ⁣

🍰 Sugar. Common forms you may see in ferret marketed products; malt, malt syrup, molasses, dextrose, vegetables (carbs), potatoes (starch) in ferrets, sugar is proven to be linked to the development of pancreatic tumors. This disease is chronic, and requires medication for life. A big % of our ferrets here in the US & Canada develop this disease. Is it any correlation these products are common here?⁣

🌾 Grain ingredients. Not species appropriate, cannot be properly digested by the ferret. Grains are commonly contaminated with mycotoxins, aflatoxins and glyphosate. ⁣

💀 BHT/BHA preservatives. Chemical preservatives found to be carcinogens. Used in pet foods in small doses, but cumulative exposure is the concern. Most companion animals succumb to some form of cancer as they get older. ⁣

💀 Propylene glycol. BANNED for cat consumption because it causes anemia. Not proven any better for dogs either. Ferrets and cats are very similar. What harms the cat, will most likely harm the ferret and vice versa. There are plenty of other less harmful preservatives that can be used instead. ⁣

🍇 Grapes/raisins are on the list in the photo yet this company produces a “Raisin” flavor treat. Do you see the hypocrisy? “Natural raisin flavor” may not be real raisins (well, who knows) but the implication is there. I do not believe there are any warnings on the label. They need to have a disclaimer that raisins will KILL your ferrets. ⁣

...And many more.

AVOID THESE PRODUCTS OR RISK SERIOUSLY HARMING AND POSSIBLY KILLING YOUR FERRET!