I have two ferrets with which I am hopelessly in love. T...

Question:

I have two ferrets with which I am hopelessly in love. To me, they''re the most adorable creatures God ever made. They are neat, sweet, petite, agreeable, happy, sunshiny and fun!Their problem is fleas. Since reading negative reports in your column and elsewhere about Advantage (which I have used), I am and have been concerned with long-term effects and would like to find a natural alternative if one exists. I have spoken to care-product manufacturers and they all tell me there are no flea products for ferrets. That seems to say a lot. Can you suggest any other flea-control methods for ferrets? My vet tells me fleas can kill if there are too many. Another problem is that my ferrets hate baths.And here''s a bit of advice for prospective ferret owners: Ferrets love to be with their own kind. My two are inseparable and do everything together. And two are so much more fun than just one.

B.W., Fletcher, NC Jan 15, 2006

Answer:

Ferrets, like most animals (including humans), enjoy and need each other''s company. I consider it a cruelty, which is widespread, for people to keep highly social animals (like parakeets, rats, guinea pigs and ferrets) in small cages with no social life, totally deprived from ever being with their own kind and from ever experiencing their true natures.For safe flea-control methods, visit my Web site, www.doctormwfox.org. A flea comb is your best tool, along with a sprinkling of brewer''s yeast in their food every day and a weekly dusting of their coats with porous, sedimentary earth to dry up the fleas. Very thorough weekly vacuuming of your entire house (every crack and crevice, every pleat and fold in upholstery) is also a must.DOG''S "LAUGH" CALMS OTHERSIn my earlier research I identified the human equivalent of laughter in dogs as a throaty panting that they often give in greeting and when initiating play. Red foxes add a vocal gargle-scream as well as clear huff-pants when greeting and playing. Behavioris