What exactly is Duck Soup?

Duck soup is a soft, easy to digest food that can be a life saver for a sick ferret who can't or won't eat kibble. Duck soup was apparently named after a ferret named Lucky Duck, whose owner and vet came up with a food he could eat when he was very ill. Many people also call this concoction ferret gravy. There are as many recipes for duck soup as there are ferret owners. Here are a few that I like:

Stephanie's Special Soup

• 1 lb ground rabbit (Hare Today or another variety with organs and bones)
• 1 lb ground chicken (Hare Today or another variety with organs and bones)
• 2 cups EVO or other high protein grain free kibble
• 2 cups hot water
• 1 organic, free range raw egg
• 1 Tbs Vivify or Ferretone

In a food processor, process the kibble until it is powdered. Add chicken, rabbit, egg (shell may be left in if washed well), Vivify or Ferretone, and about 1 cup water. Process until smooth, adding water as needed until the desired consistency (my ferrets like it pretty thick). Freeze in ice cube trays or shallow containers. To feed, thaw in refrigerator overnight or microwave for approximately 30-40 seconds. Add hot tap water and stir to combine. Note: This soup cannot be fed through a syringe as it is pretty chunky and contains big pieces of tendon, etc.

Quick and Easy Syringe feeding soup

• 2 cups EVO or other high protein, grain free kibble
• 2 jars chicken baby food (Gerber's Stage 2 or other babyfood with nothing but chicken in it)
• 1 raw egg
• 1 Tbs. Ferretone or Vivify
• 1 tsp. Ferretvite or vitamin paste (do not use if giving to an insulinomic ferret)
• Carnivore care or other vitamin supplement as recommended by a vet.
• 1 cup hot water

Powder kibble in food processor. Add baby food, egg, ferretone/vivify, ferretvite and other supplements. Process until smooth, adding water as necessary. Freeze in ice cube trays or small shallow dishes. Can be used for syringe feeding if the kibble is completely powdered.