Mustelid scat - but which mustelid?

[Phoebe]

Hi Roy,

I do feed my ferrets whole rabbit and pheasant, not all the time but 2 or 3 times a week the other feeds are chicken or day old chicks on the bone and skin and some days they have kibble for the vitamins. Their scat does change colour slightly depending on food but not to a great extent and it is always the same consistency, unless one gets sick then it would be different. I can never see fur or bone etc., in their scat.

It could just be that's the way my ferrets are. I will try to take some pictures to post so you can see what I mean LOL.

[camo]

Hi Phoebe

Thats interesting and clearly your ferrets are getting a varied diet. Before anyone else asks, what does it smell like? Rancid or Musky?

Roy

[Phoebe]

Hi Roy

They do get a very varied diet. Their scat is distinctly Musky and I find it not unpleasant at all but that depends on your 'tastes' as it were I can't get any photos tonight batteries on charge so will do tomorrow in daylight.

[camo]

Hi Phoebe

Don't let the neighbours see you!

Roy

[Nightranger]

Originally Posted by Phoebe

Hi Roy,

I do feed my ferrets whole rabbit and pheasant, not all the time but 2 or 3 times a week the other feeds are chicken or day old chicks on the bone and skin and some days they have kibble for the vitamins. Their scat does change colour slightly depending on food but not to a great extent and it is always the same consistency, unless one gets sick then it would be different. I can never see fur or bone etc., in their scat.

It could just be that's the way my ferrets are. I will try to take some pictures to post so you can see what I mean LOL.

Hi Phoebe,

Do the ferrets produce the equivalent of fur balls? I confess that I do not know the answer to this but I suspect most (if not all) predators can eject indigestible parts of a meal. The only exception I can think of is the great black-back gull that produces really strong stomach acid due to its wandering nature so that they can digest just about all of a meal. I suspect hyenas area possible analogue among mammals but I cannot think of any other mammal that could have adapted in this way but I may be wrong.

Ian

[Phoebe]

Hi Roy

Here is a photo, not the best because in their poo tray is woodshavings so makes it hard to examine. This is a fresh one as you can see 'lol' and not very focused but if I can get a better one I will. It gives you an idea anyway



Phoebe

[Phoebe]

Originally Posted by Nightranger

Hi Phoebe,

Do the ferrets produce the equivalent of fur balls? I confess that I do not know the answer to this but I suspect most (if not all) predators can eject indigestible parts of a meal. The only exception I can think of is the great black-back gull that produces really strong stomach acid due to its wandering nature so that they can digest just about all of a meal. I suspect hyenas area possible analogue among mammals but I cannot think of any other mammal that could have adapted in this way but I may be wrong.

Ian

Hi Nightranger,

My ferrets don’t produce fur balls. I do give them fur ball paste every time I clip their claws because I use special oil that I pour on their tummy that keeps them occupied whilst I clip, wouldn’t be able to do it without, so the fur ball paste is because they have been licking their own fur. I don’t know anyone who said they get fur balls. Ferrets seem to be able to digest everything they eat! I think a wild polecat possibly would produce fur balls but I don’t honestly know.

Hope this helps but if you want to know more just ask

Phoebe

[camo]

Originally Posted by Phoebe

Hi Roy

Here is a photo, not the best because in their poo tray is woodshavings so makes it hard to examine. This is a fresh one as you can see 'lol' and not very focused but if I can get a better one I will. It gives you an idea anyway


Phoebe

Hi Phoebe

Thank you, I dont think it proves anything with the original picture but it was an interesting excercise and we now know a bit more about Mustelid scats and one is for sure if I was a Ferret I would love you as my owner.

Roy

[Phoebe]

Thank you Roy, I do love my fuzzies their health and happiness is paramount

Phoebe