To keep a ferret as a pet, it is important to know how to take care of them. They require a great deal of attention and care, particularly due to their friendly, inquisitive nature, and so it becomes significant to learn more about their specific care needs.
The average lifespan of a ferret is 5-7 years and it weighs around 5 pounds as an adult.
A baby ferret is often neutered or spayed and de-scented to reduce his odor and aggression, especially if he is between five or six years old. But if you are buying an adult ferret, you don’t need to concern yourself with this requirement, as pet shops already handle it.
Consider the following details if you want to take care of your ferret like an expert.
Picking Up The Ferret
Learning how to pick up a ferret is essential, mainly if you have a baby ferret. Incorrectly lifting them can aggravate them. First, support your ferret under the chest and the bottom with both hands. You need to slide your one hand under his armpit to keep his front half supported. In case you are having a hard time getting a grip on him, gently lift him by having a firm grip on his neck and supporting his bottom at the same time. This position keeps him calm and doesn’t allow him to move a lot. Hold your pet ferret close to your body to prevent him from getting scared.
Create A Comfortable Home
When it comes to taking care of ferrets, their cage often determines whether they are going to stay healthy and happy or not. The cage should ideally be at least 18″ x 18″ x 30″. These dimensions give them enough room to relax and have fun. Some people try to keep their ferrets in aquariums, but this isn’t a good idea. The solid sides of the aquarium can disrupt the flow of fresh air and turn their home into a poor habitat. Another thing you must remember is that they have a reputation for being escape artists. The best option you have is to keep them in an open wire cage design as it often has a solid floor and a secure door.
You should also consider taking the time to ferret proof your bathroom and your kitchen, so you don’t have any unnecessary difficulties when your pet inevitably tries to sneak into one of these rooms.
Don’t settle for a tiny cage – ferrets need lots of room to move around and explore. Check out 5 high-quality ferret cages that we’ve reviewed for you here.
Cleaning Your Ferret
This may be a tough pill to swallow for some of you. Ferrets can smell pretty bad if they’re left to their own devices. Even though they groom themselves, you have to work to keep them clean all the time. Due to their physical nature, they develop a musky odor that never completely goes away. It doesn’t matter how many times you bathe them; the odor can become faint, but it won’t fully leave them. For ferret care, experts recommend bathing them at least once per month. Run water in the bathtub and ensure it is not too cold or too hot. If the water is too cold or too hot, you will struggle to hold them, as they don’t like extreme temperatures.
Next, only use ferret shampoo. Other shampoos could cause illnesses. You can get ferret shampoos online, or from a pet store near you. Make sure not to use shampoo on their head or allow it to get in their faces, as it can cause eye irritation. After applying the shampoo, rinse it off, remove your ferret from the tub, and dry it off quickly with a towel.
You can also take it to another level and help with grooming your pet ferret, using one of the many grooming tools we reviewed here.
Feeding Your Ferret
What does a ferret eat? It is one of the most popular questions in pet forums. Ferrets need a proper diet plan that is solely based on animal protein. They are obligate carnivores, which means it is pertinent for them to eat meat. They can eat many types of raw meat such as turkey necks, chicken wings, pigeons, lamb, lambs’ heart, rabbit, and minced beef. We have prepared a full ferret food chart for you here.
Compared to most other pets, they also have a high metabolic rate. This means they will eat 8-10 small meals daily. If you are buying ferret food from the store, don’t forget to read the ingredients list on the packet and ensure that it is made of the most nutritious ingredients. Avoid all foods that have grain or corn; they can be very bad for their health.
Maintain Their Health
Don’t forget to take your ferret for an annual vet visit. Even if they look happy and healthy, they need to be checked out by a professional vet yearly. A general physical examination lets you know whether he is dealing with any underlying disease or suffering from any behavioral problem. Be prepared for this when you are considering your budget – regular checkups for a pet ferret will cost money for various reasons, and many of these expenses are simply unavoidable if you want to keep your pet safe and healthy.
Other than that, after assessing the mental and physical health of your ferret, a professional vet can recommend a standard vaccination schedule like a yearly rabies shot that keeps your ferret and you both safe. Many jurisdictions compel you to opt for the rabies shot. Some of the common conditions we see in the pet ferrets are physical injury, adrenal disease, insulinoma, intestine issues, and skin tumors.
In addition, you need to check your ferret’s ears regularly and keep them clean. A professional can aid with this, but there’s ways to do it safely at home.
Keep Your Ferret Happy
Ferrets are curious creatures, but unfortunately, they are limited in their ability to pursue happiness. They must rely on us. If you want them to be truly happy, you need to have certain ‘must-have’ ferret supplies. Apart from food and drink, get clean bedding. We know ferrets may like to mess up their cage but they still prefer soft, clean bedding.
Buy toys and keep them inside and outside of the cage. Toys are great for their mental and physical stimulation. If you keep them in a cage with nothing to do and no toys to play with, ferrets will become bored and unhappy. They will eventually start playing with your socks, keys, shoes, and other things if they can get to them. Try toys like Ferret Sports Balls, Marshall’s Hide-n-Sleep Alligator, or even this small Seagrass Hideaway Toy.
Conclusion
All in all, you must check on your ferret each day. Taking care of a ferret is not rocket science, but do not neglect one for long.
Notice their clear eyes, behavior, mental, and physical health condition. In addition, keep an eye on their sleeping pattern too. They sleep a lot – up to 20 hours per day. If they aren’t sleeping well, they can be lethargic and aggressive.
A happy pet ferret can bring you joy and companionship.
Follow the above tips and take good care of them if you want them to live a long, healthy life.
What tips would you recommend new ferret owners based on your own pets?