ferrets

Owning a Ferret

Ferrets are fun playful creatures. You will have to "ferret proof" your house if you plan on letting one run free. Ferrets are very curious by nature and will get into about anything that is available including the motor of an appliance. Using duct tape to seal up all openings is strongly recommended. You will also want to put poisons out for reach because some poisons have smells that will attract your ferret. Put latches on cabinets that are within their reach. Ferrets have a knack for opening things.

Your ferret will also need a cage to call home. A good roomy cage is one that is designed for ferrets. They usually have more than one level for the ferret to wander around in, relax and call home. His cage is his safe space. Supply food water and a soft cloth or towel for your ferret to sleep on. Because they use a litter box, there is no need for litter on the bottom of the cage, but if you find your pet likes it better, and you don't mind sweeping up the mess, then you may want to use recycled newspaper for bedding, or corn cob.

Ferrets are easily box trained and will use a litter box as long as it's kept clean. There are special boxes just for ferrets. Ask your local pet store if they carry them and ask them what your needs are and they will recommend which box is right for you and your pet.

When feeding your ferret it's important to know that ferrets are not rodents. Ferrets will eat rodents. They need a high protein diet. Most high quality cat foods like "Iams" will give a ferret the nutrition they need. You also can give them "Linatone" as a vitamin supplement. They also find it a treat. It's fun to feed them the Linatone using a pet nursing bottle. Ferrets can be adventurous at times when trying new foods. Pretty much anything can be a treat for a ferret.You will want to stay away from milk and chocolate though, they can get sick off of both of them.

Bathing your ferret is very important because if you don't bathe them, they begin to smell very bad. Even de-scented ferrets have a naturally strong odor. To bathe your ferret, you can use the sink, or the bathtub. Be sure to put just enough water so the ferret can still touch the bottom. Get a good grip on the ferret and talk calmly so the ferret doesn't get scared. Wet the ferret down with water and then add shampoo. A good mild baby shampoo will work just fine. Make sure to keep water out of the ferrets ears and eyes. After rinsing thoroughly towel dry the ferret and keep him warm. Bathing can be done once a week or once every 2 weeks depending on how stinky he gets.

To keep your ferret healthy it's highly recommended that you have your pet vaccinated against distemper and rabies. Ferrets are highly susceptible to distemper so vaccines are a must for all ferrets. Ferrets do get sick from time to time so it's good to have a reliable vet.

Ferrets are such charming, playful little creatures that many people want one the first time they see one—usually in a pet store or at a friend’s home. And, certainly, for the right type of person ferrets make tremendously rewarding pets. Yet ferrets are not appropriate pets for many people, no matter how much they think they might want one, and if potential ferret owners would take time to learn about ferrets, a lot of them would realize that they are not prepared to take on the responsibility for one or more ferrets.

Ferrets need to be played with and interacted with. Despite their small size, they should not be mistaken for “hand pets,” like gerbils or mice, that are relatively content to sit in a cage all day, with occasional turns on the wheel. Ferrets need time out of their cage—a lot of time, really—and they need the attention of their owners. Unless you plan on spending several hours a day interacting with your ferret, it probably also needs the company of one or more other ferrets.

Although ferrets get along well with dogs and cats if they have been raised with them, most other animals will only play with a ferret for a short while before getting annoyed and seeking to avoid the little rascal. Besides, ferrets are so small that a larger animal might unintentionally hurt or kill the ferret by playing too rough, so the owner should always monitor interaction between a ferret and another animal.

A ferret that isn’t given enough attention and interactive play will become depressed, so a person who plans to get a ferret must also plan on spending quite a lot of time entertaining—and being entertained by—the ferret