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Post by ferretzmom on Jul 10, 2009 9:37:25 GMT -5
Okay, I saw this happen a while back and wasn't sure I had really seen it; but this morning she did it again. Tilly did a poopy and then ate it. Then she dug through her bedding and found an older "noodle" and ate that too. Is this something that BFFs normally do? I've got to admit that it grossed me out. 
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Post by huronna on Jul 10, 2009 10:43:06 GMT -5
Oh my that is gross. I guess we have to remember that she is not a domesticated ferret like ours and maybe they have different habits for some reason.
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Post by greta on Jul 10, 2009 10:51:56 GMT -5
Ugh! I've never heard of this before in the ferret world. But as Huronna says, Tilly is a BFF and BFF's are wild. This may be common practice among the BFF population, although I never noticed Peanut's mom, Georgia, eating her own poo. Maybe she ate Peanut's when he was tiny, but never her own. I'm still visiting the BFF cam every day hoping the promised new mom and kit(s) will appear where Tilly has been our representative for so long. Hugs, Greta
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Post by furdawg55 on Jul 13, 2009 14:50:40 GMT -5
Hummmm, just reading the first two posts curbed my appetite for having lunch...... Dry heave anyone?  ? |
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Post by furdawg55 on Jul 13, 2009 14:58:30 GMT -5
I had to do a little research on this rather distasteful subject.
Why do dogs (and other animals) eat poop?
Many animals eat poop on a regular basis. These include rabbits, rodents, gorillas, many insects such as dung beetles and flies, and yes, dogs. (Keep that in mind the next time a dog wants to lick you!) Herbivores such as rabbits and rodents eat their own poop because their diet of plants is hard to digest efficiently, and they have to make two passes at it to get everything out of the meal. This is equivalent to a cow chewing its cud, only cows are able to re-eat their food without having to poop it out first. Another reason why animals eat poop is that poop contains vitamins produced by their intestinal bacteria. The animal is unable to absorb the vitamins through the intestinal wall, but can get at them by eating the poop. Another reason that animals such as dogs and flies eat poop is that poop contains a certain amount of protein. Dogs are particularly fond of cat poop because cat poop is high in protein. I had a friend with a dog and a cat, and he never had to clean the kitty litter. The dog took care of it.
I think that about covers this topic!
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Post by linkie2001 on Jul 13, 2009 15:02:00 GMT -5
Larry thanks for sharing the info but I have one question ...
Do you know why ferrets drink their urine ? for the same reason ?
When my boy Cookie RIP was adrenal, he used to drink his urine and everybody, vets online and offline always told me that it was normal, I have to say that I didn't agree with them though ....
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Post by furdawg55 on Jul 13, 2009 15:43:51 GMT -5
Linda, in answer to your urine drinking question.........
Drinking Urine
No one knows for sure why some of our adorable little fuzzies engage in the obnoxious practice of urine drinking. Maybe it's to gross us humans out. Some fuzzy experts believe that drinking urine is just another way for a thirsty ferret to consume liquid, so make sure that enough water is always available. Honestly, while it seems disgusting to us, it's COMMON for a ferret to drink his own urine. It's a HARMLESS act, unlike drinking too much beer.
Taken from Ferret for Dummies
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Post by furdawg55 on Jul 13, 2009 15:45:22 GMT -5
"Bottoms Up!"..............LMAO!
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Post by greta on Jul 13, 2009 20:26:26 GMT -5
It's easy to see why vet school appealed so to you, Larry. You have an inquisitive mind, which is perfectly adaptable to research and to learning. Personally I think God put the foul odor in intestinal waste to prevent its contributors from ingesting it. Animals are a different story, though. This is one situation in which I am very happy to be human. LOL Greta
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Post by ferretzmom on Jul 14, 2009 11:10:32 GMT -5
I guess we'll need to be on our guard, Greta, in case Larry ever asks us over for a summer picnic of beans, franks & lemonade.
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Post by loveaferret on Jul 14, 2009 13:27:54 GMT -5
my only shelter kid Belladonna drank her pee, when she went on the newspaper she was the only kid I have had that done this
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Post by greta on Jul 15, 2009 15:27:42 GMT -5
Ha Ha Ha, JA! If Larry invites us over for a picnic I'll be sure to ask for a fillet of orange ruffy. :-) Hugs, Greta
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