Ferret Care Basics

If you have purchased a ferret or you have been thinking about purchasing one, you must consider how much time it takes to care for them. Ferrets are exotic animals that belong to the mustelid family. This means they do tend to have an odor when they reach adulthood.

Neutering and de-scenting your ferret is recommended if you don’t plan on breeding them. De-scenting will help with their odor and fixing them is good when you purchase two or more to ensure that you will not have a litter
Ferrets also need to see the veterinarian for their vaccinations; it is always a good idea to bring any newly purchased animals in for a regular check up.

Ferrets need a balanced diet and high-quality ferret food can be purchased in any local pet store. Just make sure any brand of food you choose has at least 35% protein and 20% fat. Ferrets need higher fat levels than felines. Balanced fats like poultry fat are better for ferrets because they have a healthier blend of essential fatty acids.

Your ferret should also have fresh water available. Ferrets will drink more water from bowls than from bottles. But if you are unable to clean & change the water bowl every day, then a water bottle would be a better choice. You also need to provide safe housing for your ferret.

Make sure the cage you buy is safe, easy to clean, and roomy. Cage spacing is important. If the ferret can force its head through any part of that cage, it is in danger. Make sure the cage you purchase has no areas where your ferret’s feet can get caught.

Ferrets just love to run around and play. If they are not in the right kind of cage, ferrets can get hurt. Ferrets sleep 15-20 hours a day and they love to hide in dark padded areas. Hammocks and sleeping sacks are great for both play and sleep.  You could also try cover a part of their cage with a sheet in order to give them a nice private place to play or sleep.

Ferrets love to chew things, so anything within their reach can become a hazard to them. You should regularly check your ferret’s cage for anything that it is chewing on that is becoming damaged.

If a ferret eats the wrong thing it will cause obstruction in the intestines, and will need to be surgically removed. Ferrets can be social. You must wait until they are 30 days old to introduce ferrets to people.

Your ferret should be let out of its cage at least twice a day, in a ferret proof room. Never leave your ferret unattended outside their cage. They are at risk of getting hurt. It is better for training if you can handle your ferret more often.

This will help your ferret interact with you. Ferrets just love to cuddle and it really feels nice when they do it with you. You can train a ferret to use a litter box. The sooner you introduce them to a litter box the higher the success rate.

Ferrets are a fun and loving pet, remember the more you interact and care for them the longer & healthier life they will have.

For more information about all aspects of caring for ferrets visit Ferret-Care-Center.com & take our free 12 part ferret mini-course.