Ferrets have become popular home
pets in the United States, and their inquisitive and amiable temperament makes
them acceptable pets for a wide range of people. Ferret owners should be aware
that while ferrets can make excellent pets, they can also carry germs that can
make people sick. Ferrets are also not suggested for homes with children under five
because of the higher risk of bite injury.
Although rare, ferret germs can
cause many ailments in humans, from mild skin infections to significant disorders.
One of the most excellent methods to avoid getting sick when touching ferrets, their
food, or things in their cages is to properly wash your hands with running
water and soap after handling them.
You are less likely to become ill
or harmed while dealing with a ferret if you provide routine veterinary care
and follow the Healthy People recommendations.
Ferret Sanitation
In this Ferrets blog, you will notice require
routine sanitary care as a pet. You must clean their ears, trim their nails,
and check their teeth at least once a month, preferably weekly. It is also a
good idea to provide them with a bathroom -which can be dry- regularly, and, of
course, you must keep your cage and bedding in good shape, as this is the best
way to avoid excessive body odor.
To accomplish these hygiene
activities, you must hold the ferret by the neck, which, while unpleasant, may
be tolerated for a few minutes.
Cutting the nails is one of the most challenging tasks. It must be considered where the nerve stops and severed from there (don’t
worry, there is a link to a video that demonstrates this at the end of the
post). Special cat or bird nail clippers can be used, although regular nail
cutters will suffice.
Do ferrets smell nice?
As previously said, keeping the
cage and bedding clean is critical. The bedding should be replaced weekly, and
the cage should be cleaned and disinfected monthly. Everyone does not appreciate or despise Ferrets’ natural odors equally, but keeping a clean cage helps
minimize them.
Considerations Before Purchasing A Ferret:
Having a furry pal to play with
at home is always enjoyable. But what if you desire a rare breed of pet? Misty,
a ferret, was one of my family’s strangest and most entertaining pets. Ferrets,
like weasels, are exceedingly playful, curious, and gregarious. They can,
however, be a handful. Some states, including
California, Hawaii, and New York, may make it unlawful to own a ferret. It is
also banned in certain cities or counties in other states. Do you know what
the rules are in your area? Consult your local Wildlife or Fish and Game
department, the Humane Society, or a veterinarian.
Minor children should refrain
from handling ferrets. They can be challenging, and when startled, a ferret will
bite. Children must be at least 6 years old and have prior experience engaging
with tiny animals. Because ferrets are natural hunters, they do not get along
with birds, lizards, fish, rabbits, or other small animals. They get along well with cats and
dogs. Some dogs, however, may regard the ferret as prey. Introduce them
gradually. Allow them to smell each other and reassure them that they are
friendly. Even if they get along, keep an eye on them constantly.
Ferrets are challenging to care
for. A daily commitment to playing and watching for them is required. Large cages
are needed to give them enough space to run around during the day. They also
need a large number of toys.
They are active little beings who
want constant stimulation. Allowing them to run outside for a few hours each
day is ideal. You can play with them with their toys, much like a cat or dog.
There should be more than one level in their cages with ramps and canopies so
they may run around, climb, and swing to their hearts’ content.
They are also known to move
around in their cages, so ramps, litter boxes, and food and drink bowls must be
secure. They prefer to sleep in canopies and packages, so having both options is
ideal. They should be able to cover themselves with fabric in the sleeping box,
similar to a blanket. Their sleeping and activity schedules adapt to their owners,
which is a significant plus.
Understanding the Nature of Ferrets
The Value of Ferret Hygiene
It’s critical to always keep a consistent supply of food and fresh water on hand to maintain your fluffy ferret companion’s well-being. Due to their fast metabolism and small digestive system, ferrets are prone to overheating and dehydration, necessitating regular feeding. When your ferret is ill, it may demand a softer diet, even if it isn’t used to it. Wait until your pet cannot eat independently before introducing more peaceful choices to ensure it obtains critical nutrients throughout its sickness and avoid further issues. Baby food is a popular choice for ill ferrets, but make sure it is meat-based.
Serve the meal at room temperature with your fingers, a spoon, or a syringe. To avoid choking, use a syringe to deliver the meal gently. Your ferret may first be uninterested in this new food, but with time, it will likely begin to consume it and even see it as a pleasure. As a general rule, a should be fed 15 to 20 mL of food every 2 to 4 hours, along with lots of water. Nonetheless, it is essential to consult your veterinarian for particular feeding recommendations customized to the needs of your ill cat. Ferrets require high-fat, high-protein diets. Therefore, commercial ferret or high-quality cat or kitten food are good choices. They should eat meat-based goods because they are carnivores.
Avoid foods heavy in plant proteins and ash (common in low-quality diets), as they might cause bladder stones. Before purchasing commercial food, always read the ingredient label. A dry food (kibble) diet is advised to maintain good dental health. Long-term eating of soft, moist foods can cause tooth and gum problems. Dairy products and carbohydrate-rich diets should be avoided since they are difficult for ferrets to digest and may raise illness risks. Avoid giving your ferret honey, raisins, grapes, or sugary food.
To avoid malnutrition, keep treats to no more than 5% of your ferret’s daily calorie intake. Choose nutritional choices like meat, eggs, freeze-dried muscle, or organ meat, widely sold as cat or dog treats.
Frequent dietary changes may not sit well with ferrets, so introduce any adjustments gradually to prevent stressing the animal. For example, mix the new meal with the regular diet over many days, gradually increasing the fresh food supply. Vitamins and supplements are often unnecessary unless prescribed by your physician for specific ailments or elderly ferrets.
Making a Clean Environment for Your Ferrets
As social and affectionate creatures, ferrets can live contentedly individually or in pairs. However, it’s essential to remember that the costs associated with caring for multiple ferrets increase accordingly. Whether you opt for a male (hob) or female (Jill) ferret as a pet, both sexes are equally capable of forming strong bonds and being affectionate companions. Suppose you decide to keep a pair of ferrets. In that case, choosing two females from the same litter is advisable, as two males may exhibit aggression towards each other, particularly after reaching sexual maturity, even if they are siblings. On the other hand, mixed-sex pairs of neutered ferrets can happily coexist with minimal to no issues. Keeping two ferrets together offers them companionship and entertainment, as they can interact and amuse each other.
However, a single ferret will rely more on you for mental and social fulfillment. The choice of indoor or outdoor housing for your ferret largely depends on your preferences and circumstances. While some ferret owners opt for outdoor enclosures, an increasing number now prefer indoor living for their furry friends, allowing them to roam freely indoors under supervision. This non-traditional approach is becoming the norm as it promotes more interaction between the ferret and the owner, leading to a closer bond and a more affectionate relationship. If you decide to keep your ferret indoors, ensure they have a suitably sized, solid-floor cage.
The minimum recommended size for one ferret is 62 x 62 x 45cm (24 x 24 x 18 inches), but more giant cells are better for their comfort and exercise needs. If your budget allows, an indoor aviary (large enclosure for housing birds) can be ideal. For outdoor housing, make sure the ferret’s cage is weatherproof and escape-proof, with the same size considerations as indoor housing. Wooden hutches, despite being more challenging to keep impeccably clean, offer better insulation and ventilation than metal or synthetic materials, making them suitable for various weather conditions. Attach a run to the hutch to provide extra space for exercise and play, ensuring it is escape-proof.
This ferret blog provides basic information about ferret biology, medicine, surgery, and care. Ferrets have long slender bodies, short, muscular legs, and long thin tails. They have small eyes and sharp ears. They live from 5 to 8 years old. They can be housed individually or in groups, indoors or outdoors. When kept outdoors, ferrets must be kept protected from extreme weather conditions. They cannot tolerate temperatures higher than 90°F or lower than 20°F.
They require appropriate precautions to avoid exposure to these extreme temperatures. They are carnivorous and need a balanced diet. They should be fed a diet high in animal protein and fat, with little complex carbohydrates and fiber. All ferrets are routinely vaccinated against CDV and rabies. Unvaccinated ferrets with CDV are highly susceptible to CDV. When an unvaccinated ferret is infected with CDV, the mortality rate is 100%.
A quarantine period is recommended when new ferrets are brought into the household. This quarantine period is intended to identify and prevent the transmission of infectious diseases that the new ferret carries.
Taking Care of Your Ferret
Ferrets have beautiful, functional teeth, or “pearly whites,” as my grandmother used to call them. They gleam and shine bright white! Teeth are amazing tools for ferrets. They allow them to eat, grab and hold objects, and move like another hand. They also allow a caretaker to tell a ferret’s age by looking at their teeth. However, like human teeth, ferret teeth need proper care!
New ferret owners often find these teeth soon after the arrival of their ferret, as they begin to use their tiny teeth and chew. This is because baby ferrets often come with milk teeth, replaced by permanent canine teeth around 7 to 9 weeks. Additionally, ferrets have teeth called incisors on both the top and bottom jaw. You’ll most commonly find six of these teeth between the two canines. Ferrets’ teeth develop from the tip down to the root. Older ferrets may appear to have more prominent teeth. Like humans, as a ferret grows older, their gums start to retract, making the tooth look bigger than it actually is. Sometimes owners will see a chip or a bite mark on a ferret’s canine tooth. This is not usually a cause for concern.
Ferrets are known for chewing their wire cages, and sometimes an excessive tug or fall onto a wooden or tile floor can result in a (usually upper) canine chip or fracture. A fracture usually will not necessitate special dental care unless the tooth’s pulp is exposed. Veterinarians and owners should keep an eye on the tooth for abscesses or infections.
Good dental hygiene is an essential but often misunderstood part of regular care for ferrets. If you regularly or occasionally bring your domestic ferrets to a ferret show, you know that the judges take good dental hygiene into account. After all, good health includes good dental hygiene.
However, Most ferret owners don’t always understand the importance of good dental hygiene for their overall health and well-being. Most ferret owners take great care of their pets in terms of care and maintenance, but many don’t understand the importance or need for good dental care.
FAQs (Frequently Ask Questions)
- Do pet ferrets transmit disease?
Ferrets are energetic and entertaining pets, but like most animals, they can transmit infections and endanger those who handle them. Ferrets can contain germs and parasites in their intestinal tract, such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Giardia, and Cryptosporidia, and pass them to persons cleaning their cages and litter boxes. Ferrets can also be carriers of the fungus ringworm, fleas, and scabies mites, which can infect their owners. Because of their inquisitiveness, ferrets, particularly children who make rapid movements, can bite people.