Ferrets are one of those animals that are very sensitive to extreme temperatures. Their bodies aren’t designed to survive harsh weather conditions. A temperature too or too low can make them fall really sick and even die.
Today, we are especially going to touch on the topic of ‘Heat Stroke In Ferrets’, since it is very common and lots of ferrets owners deal with it.
When it comes to heatstroke in ferrets, temperature above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (~31 degrees Celsius) brings a huge risk. Their bodies are naturally furry and warm so even this normal temperature naturally gets too hot for them.
For times like these, you need to have full knowledge about how to prevent and deal with a heat stroke. For example, you need to know about the smallest details that become the reason for heatstroke in normal weather conditions, such as leaving him caged in a room or a car with windows closed. These types of silly mistakes can push them into a lethal state, and if you assume that they are safe because they seem fine at first, you may cause serious harm to your pet.
Highest Temperature That Ferrets Can Tolerate
The best temperature for a ferret is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be kept in a place with at least that many temperatures. If the temperature of that place comes near or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit then you will need to worry about their health.
When it gets more than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the situation becomes life-threatening; your ferret will need immediate care from a vet. If you can monitor your pet’s temperature itself, it should stay around 100 to 104 degrees at the most.
Signs Of A Heat Stroke In A Ferret
A ferret going through a heat stroke doesn’t go unnoticed. Their actions will tell you there is something wrong with them.
Normally ferrets are lazy fur balls or really playful, but when they are sick they act differently than usual. They start moving slowly; the slow movement is the first sign of dehydration inside their body… Here are a few more symptoms of heatstroke in ferrets:
- Slow breathing
- Lying and not moving at all on the floor
- Bright red tongue
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Bottom of feet and hands turning red
- Mucus coming out of mouth or nose
- Excessive saliva
- Panting
- Red gums
If these symptoms are not treated immediately, your ferret can go into worse conditions or fall into a coma. Therefore, contact the vet right away if you see any one of these symptoms.
How To Deal With Heat Stroke In Ferrets
For starters, keep a first aid kit for pets with you all the time.
When your ferrets are suffering from heat stroke, you need to move them to a colder place with a lower temperature. Try fanning your ferret also to let it breathe in fresher air.
Ferrets generally are not a fan of water, and as a ferret owner you will easily learn the best way your ferret deals with water while bathing. If by chance your ferret doesn’t mind water, then the quickest way to lower the temperature is by soaking your ferret in a bit of cold water.
You will need to fill a tub or your sink with water just enough to let their feet properly sink in. Let your ferret lay there for a while and slowly pour water on them from your palm. It is necessary to keep their body wet to lower the effects of heatstroke.
Talking to your ferret while bathing them can also lower down their anxious feelings.
Keep in mind the water shouldn’t be too cold either as it can dangerously worsen the situation because of the sudden temperature drop.
In case your ferret is not a fan of water, the next best thing you can do is to use a wet towel and wipe their body gently with it. Keep doing it for a while until your ferret’s temperature starts to fall down on its own.
Once the ferret has cooled down, place the little guy in its cage and if possible, place the cage in an air-conditioned room.
How To Prevent A Heat Stroke
There are a few things you can do to prevent a heat stroke.
Outdoor Cage
If your ferret has a cage outdoors then he has high chances of getting a heat stroke in hot or humid weather. To prevent a heat stroke, you can place a fan or outdoor air condition near your ferret’s cage to keep him cool.
The fan should not be directly pointed at the ferret’s cage because it can be really harmful and drop the temperature of their body after a few minutes.
Another thing you can do is to fill small bottles with water and put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, take them out and place them at each of the corners of the cage. The bottles will draw heat toward them and keep your ferret happy and safe in hot weather.
Indoor Cage
On the other hand, if you have a cage indoors then install a fan or air conditioner inside the room. That will keep the temperature of the room low and ideal for ferrets. Again, be sure not to point it directly at your pet or it may be too extreme of a temperature change.
Also make sure your ferret gets to experience fresh air, being stuck inside can often make their bodies more sensitive, therefore let them go out and enjoy the fresh air often.
There are several other ways that can help you in keeping your ferret safe and cool inside the home on hot days.
For example, you can install sprinklers at the cage to keep the environment cool. The sprinkler shouldn’t sprinkle water every single minute. Make it sprinkle at least once an hour.
Conclusion
Do the above-mentioned things the moment you find your ferret going through a heat stroke.
Even if your ferret seems to be acting okay, don’t be too calm. The side effects of a heat stroke can appear after a few days. According to professional ferret vets, after a heat stroke, ferrets may still be going through many things. It is always best to take a trip to the vet and have a complete checkup to ensure your pet’s safety.
To learn more about symptoms of strokes in ferrets, check out this article next.