Lilo seems a bit skinny... help?

[Erica]

Hey Everyone!
Haven't posted in awhile. I've been on vacation and been busily packing up our townhouse to move into a little house of our own!

Anyways, while we were gone, we let a friend of ours watch the ferrets. He has one of his own, so he's pretty knowledgeable. When we got back, it seemed like Lilo was soooo much skinnier! She's usually a chunky butt! When we pick her up, she seems so much lighter. I don't know if it's because we were gone for a week or what.

She is playing and eating the same. Nothing odd about her vulva or anything. So, I think maybe she just lost her winter fat. We got really worried over the winter when she did get so fat!

What do you all think?

[greta]

There are several trains of thought on this, Erica. First of all, Lilo DID miss you and that could have affected her appetitie in a negative way. 2nd., the man who cared for her may have changed her diet to what his ferret(s) are eating and Lilo didn't care for the food. 3rd. You're right about the spring shed, although it's a bit late in the season for a ferret to begin to shed. Unless you're in a cold climate, that is. I'm sure Lilo will gain back at least some of her lost weight once you're feeding her the old diet she was on before. And adding a tablespoon or so of pure cream to her soup will help her gain in a hurry. If you don't see Lilo gaining weight within two or three weeks, a vet visit is in ordeer. Please keep us posted in the meantime, gf. Check your little girl for fleas, too. Fleas can make a ferret anemic. Congratulations on your move! Hugs, Greta

[huronna]

I also had noticed that my kids lost a little of their winter weight also. Perhaps it was the change in the thickness of their fur or maybe it was my imagination.