So I joined a ferret group on facebook, and I told them what I was feeding the boys, and all of a sudden I got a lot of hate from people about feeding the boys Zupreem, and got called a bad ferret parent because I can't afford raw feeding or the absolute top quality foods because I am in school. I buy the boys Zupreem 100% grain free kibble, and they like it which is good because both Mushu and Smokey are picky, and I have been doing extensive research cause everyone is determined Zupreem is giving ferrets bladder stones, but during my research I found out bladder stones in ferrets are developed because of allergies not because of food. Smokey and Mushu haven't had any health problems being on Zupreem. Smokey has actually gotten back to a healthy weight being on it. 

So I am curious what is your opinion on Zupreem 100% grain free food? and what foods do you suggest. (Zupreem and Marshall's are the only foods availible in my city, so any other foods I would have to have shipped to me)

I gotta tell ya, the first ferret group I joined was on craigslist and I only lasted one day.  Someone posted a pic of her ferrets playing in the laundry room and other people went nuts because a) she allowed her ferret in the laundry room, which admittedly is not a great idea on laundry day, and b) they decided the rest of her house was not tidy enough.

I don't know which group you joined, but there are those members who take things to extremes.  Dar24 and I have been feeding Zupreem Ferret Diet (not grain free) since we have had ferrets.  We have not ever had diet related issues that we know of in going on 10 years, other than eating something they shouldn't that caused blockage.  

Certain legumes like peas that are high in oxalate can cause bladder stones in animals that are prone to it, which is why I personally don't recommend kibbles that contain peas in the top 5 ingredients.  

We have not had any incidents of stones either, but no matter what we do we find it extremely rare to get a ferret past 7 years old.  One of the Big 3 pops up, or something else like a fractured tooth that leads to sepsis.  The way we see it, we do our best for them without breaking ourselves.  Polecats in the wild may live 3-5 years.  So far of the only ones we've lost before 5 years, 1 had juvenile lymphoma and a couple had accidents.  We have one Real Canadian, Prissy, that will be 9 soon, but she's elderly in every sense.  Think 95 year old human.

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

Wow... that is crazy. I would probably get hate too. I can't afford raw either. I feed my babies Blue Buffalo Kitten food.... 

Right now is worse more than ever because I am off work for a week because I was at my riding lesson and the horse took off on me and I lost my stirrup as we went around a corner and I got thrown off landed on my hip and rolled. Luckily all i did was fracture my 3rd lumbar vertebrae but it means i can't bend down mine and my boyfriends room mate is helping me with the ferrets well my boyfriend is in quebec till tuesday. 

Well I hope you are okay and glad to know that you have good people to help you with your furbabies!

Ow I'm so sorry.  I'm glad  you have some support.  I hope you aren't down too long.

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

Ouch.....not fun falling off a horse.  I hope you feel better.

Still feeling a bit rough can move around a lil better but my boyfriend is back now so I am happy but Mushu and Smokey are sad and showing me their displeasure at the fact I can't bend to pick them up.

Awwww my babies do that too! They are so spoiled... the expect me to pick them up whenever they don't want to walk somewhere. Haha!