B3@N!
Gnawing on bones
Ben & Cassiel
Posts: 91
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Post by B3@N! on Dec 2, 2010 8:24:00 GMT -5
I've been doing research on dig boxes. I've heard that long grain rice or potting soil is good. Online though I've heard that potting soil makes the ferrets sick? I'm just wondering if this is true because I've heard potting soil will absorb some of the oils and make the ferret smell fresh after playing in it.  IF soil is bad for the ferret, is there anything else I could add that might have the same "freshening" effect as the soil? Thanks!  |
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Post by mustelidmusk on Dec 2, 2010 9:21:40 GMT -5
potting soils can have chemicals/fertilizers, etc. in them. Most people use rice, which is cheap if you buy a big bag from an Asian supermarket.
jennifer
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Post by AnimalFarm2006 on Dec 2, 2010 10:01:49 GMT -5
Does rice do the same refresher? I have rice and don't notice anything different.
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B3@N!
Gnawing on bones
Ben & Cassiel
Posts: 91
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Post by B3@N! on Dec 2, 2010 10:25:57 GMT -5
So it seems that potting soil IF it has anything in it OTHER than just soil seems bad. That seems to be what I'm understanding.
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 2, 2010 19:30:31 GMT -5
That's correct. Since the vast majority of them out there now have something in them, I'd just not even bother with it. Maybe some play sand? The thing with the rice is that it absorbs the excess oils from their skin/fur, sort of like a dry bath. When I took my lastest rice box out to dump it, it had turned from white, to a medium golden yellow from their oils  |
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B3@N!
Gnawing on bones
Ben & Cassiel
Posts: 91
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Post by B3@N! on Dec 2, 2010 20:31:10 GMT -5
Hmm, so the rice absorbs the oils...? Does this give them a fresher smell like natural soil would or does it do more of a stripping thing where their body goes into overtime to make up for what it's lost?
I definitely want to get them a dig box, the soil I read from the Ferrets for Dummies book and anything to cut down on the odor (that was the main concern for my partner) would be amazing. I thought of dust baths but I wasn't sure if that would dry them out or what.
Suggestions? I know there will always be a slight musky smell which I would be okay with but to keep it at it's minimum is a requirement to keep the fuzzy.... significant others...what are you gonna do haha.
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 3, 2010 17:27:14 GMT -5
First, raw fed ferrets really don't have that musky smell to them anymore  As long as the bedding is changed weekly, box scooped daily, and changed out weekly, and cage wiped down every 3-4 weeks, there shouldn't be much of an odour at all. At least not from one or two! And the oils the rice absorbs is on the surface of the fur. The problem is with bathing with shampoo. That strips it from the skin, causing the overproduction. No, it doesn't generally leave them with that fresh "outdoors" sort of smell, but again, diet is what makes the biggest difference there. |
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candiceboggs
Going Natural
Ferrets are nature's anti-depressant.
Posts: 187
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Post by candiceboggs on Jan 4, 2011 22:31:57 GMT -5
What about organic soil?  ? We use organic soil for our gerbils in their terrarium with their aspen sometimes for their digging pleasure, there are no chemicals or additives. |
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 4, 2011 23:12:50 GMT -5
If there's no fertilizer, treatments, styrofoam(white flecks in the soil), or anything but just plain dirt, it should be fine.
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taratee
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Posts: 255
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Post by taratee on Jan 4, 2011 23:32:18 GMT -5
after digging in the rice our ferrets smell like rice... like if you open the bag and smell it that dusty smell is what they smell like
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rahrah
Going Natural
Posts: 134
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Post by rahrah on Jan 4, 2011 23:49:44 GMT -5
In the summer I went to a ferret shelter picnic, and they had a small pool of corn cob bedding that the ferrets were playing in. They all seemed to love it. I don't know what the effects of it are, but boy they looked happy! |
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B3@N!
Gnawing on bones
Ben & Cassiel
Posts: 91
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Post by B3@N! on Jan 5, 2011 7:36:36 GMT -5
I've heard you can put some scented oils in the rice too...worth it? A lady in a another forum mentioned jasmine oil...think it'll work? Where do you get organic soil?
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candiceboggs
Going Natural
Ferrets are nature's anti-depressant.
Posts: 187
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Post by candiceboggs on Jan 5, 2011 8:56:05 GMT -5
Where do you get organic soil? We've bought ours at Home Depot and Lowe's has it also. Most gardening stores have it, but if you're unsure you can always call and ask. With the organic gardening trend now I'd be shocked if they didn't. |
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Post by rarnold18 on Jan 5, 2011 12:58:52 GMT -5
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 5, 2011 19:41:07 GMT -5
Oils and any obligate carnivore are not a good mix. Cats or ferrets. Not sure about dogs, though |
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