Ferret – Wilmette Pet Center https://wilmettepetcenter.com The place for people who love pets! Thu, 08 Jun 2017 19:45:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.3 https://i1.wp.com/wilmettepetcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/cropped-Wilmette-Pet-Center-favicon-logo-3.png?fit=32%2C32 Ferret – Wilmette Pet Center https://wilmettepetcenter.com 32 32 28132224 One of our favorite pets https://wilmettepetcenter.com/one-of/ Thu, 08 Jun 2017 19:29:16 +0000 https://wilmettepetcenter.com/?p=3622 [...]]]> They’re one of our favorite animals. Nothing else is quite as energetic, as playful, and as full of life as the ferret! 
 
The pet ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is a hybridized and domesticated animal, thought to come from the European polecat and the Steppe polecat. They’re obligate carnivores, meaning, like cats, they must eat meat (and should never have sugar). In the wild they are incredible hunters, tenacious and brave and not shying from large prey, although mice, voles, and rabbits make up most of their diet. In captivity, they eat a high protein, high fat, and low carbohydrate diet. Because of this, their digestive tract is incredibly short and they must eat often. They have been domesticated for thousands of years, used to hunt and eliminate mice, rats, and rabbits. 
 
Ferrets are related to skunks and badgers and although they have been descented, they do still have a faint smell. It’s easily countered, though, by using towels in their cage, sprayed with scent neutralizing sprays like PureAyre; as they crawl and play through it it reduces any odor. 

One of the most endearing things ferrets do is something called the “weasel war dance”. It’s thought to be a hunting technique the native species use to dazzle and confuse prey, but with out pet ferrets it looks like nothing more than an invitation to play! It seems like they’re just happy being alive! 
 
They do need to live in a good sized cage. Give them lots of things to play with, especially tunnels, tubes, and hammocks. Sturdy cat toys can be offered to give them things to play with. And boy do ferrets love to play! They need plenty of time outside of their cage, too, in a play gym or, even better, in a ferret-proof safe room. Keeping them on a harness will help control them and prevent them from getting into places they should’t. They do like to get into mischief, chewing up and stealing anything that catches their fancy.
 
We have our ferret care sheet on our website; check it out for all the details you need to know, and stop by to meet these incredibly friendly companions and see why they’re one of our favorites.

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This post, One of our favorite pets, originally appeared on Wilmette Pet Center on June 8, 2017. Tweet This Post!

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]]> 3622 Ferret Care https://wilmettepetcenter.com/ferret-care-feeding/ Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:12:46 +0000 https://wilmettepetcenter.com/?p=404 [...]]]> Ferret

Ferret, Mustela putorius furo

Download this care sheet (pdf)

Adult Size
Males range from 14 to 17 inches long & weigh 3-5 pounds. Females range from 12 to 14 inches and weigh 1-3 pounds.

Life Span
Anywhere from 7 to 10 years.

Male/Female Differences
One can usually tell whether a ferret is a male/female by their size and weight. Males are easily distinguished since they have their urethra in the center of their belly.

Compatibility
Ferrets are incredibly social animals. Interaction and socialization are important in the development of a young ferret to eliminate behavioral problems later. If possible consider getting a pair so that you are not the only source of interaction the ferret receives.

Origin
Europe, Africa

Climate
Woodlands, prairies, wetlands

Day Cycle
Crepuscular

Temperature
A large well-ventilated cage. An average household temperature of 70 degrees F is proper.

Lighting
Room lighting should not be too bright as it could hurt their eyes. Their cage should not be in direct sunlight.

Humidity
Dry/low.

Habitat/Territory
Ferrets live in burrows in diverse habitats; some live in marshlands and feed off of frogs, others in farmlands and feed off of mice.

Substrate/Bedding
Comfortable towels/blankets make great beds for ferrets. Wash the towels at least once a week and spray with conditioning spray or deodorizer every other day. For litter shredded, pelleted aspen or recycled paper litters will suffice.

Hiding Place/Den
Chew safe toys and non-toxic hiding places will increase their level of interaction when they are left alone. Hammocks and tunnels are also fun toys for your ferret.

Cage Type
Wire cages are the only option since aquarium style enclosures do not provide sufficient ventilation and are not meant for house ferrets. Multi-level cages are the best for keeping the ferret well exercised and interested. Make sure the cage is escape-proof. The bigger the cage the better.

Diet
A ferret should be fed twice a day but food and water should always be accessible. Their diet should be high in protein and relatively high in fat to fuel their energetic lifestyle. There are many high quality dry foods specially made for ferrets. Also consider frozen and raw foods because it closely duplicates their natural diet and because frozen/raw still retain the nutrients and enzymes unlike processed kibble. Sweets such as raisins and treats should be given scarcely because of their high sugar content.

Supplements
Freeze dried cat supplements, fatty acids, and vitamins can aid in their digestion, a healthier looking coat, and less of a musky odor.

Diet Precautions
Some veterinarians discourage feeding raisins or treats with high sugar since they have a tendency to hide their food, and could stockpile the treats and consume them in a short amount of time. Hard treats like bones or peanuts should never be given because they can become lodged in their intestinal tract.

Feeding
A ferret’s stomach is about half the size of their head so try not to overfeed. Some ferrets tend to tip their food bowl, to remedy this you can get a ceramic or a heavy bowl.

Water Source
Most ferrets are used to water bottles, but they will happily drink from a bowl. Rinse and wash both and supply fresh water each day.

Grooming
You can bathe your ferret with ferret or cat/dog shampoo. Ferrets should be bathed at least once a month. Another alternative is getting pet safe wipes and wiping them down.

Oral and Foot Care
Ferrets need their nails clipped at least once a month. Use cat safe nail clippers.

Proper Handling
Unless your ferret is young they usually do not bite with any pressure involved. Pick them up with both hands and make sure to support their body. Most ferrets are very friendly and will welcome any interaction with you.
Habitat Maintenance Ferrets tend to go to the bathroom in the same spot. Depending on the size of the cage one or two litter pans are appropriate. Spot clean their cage twice a day.

Health Concerns
Diarrhea due to poor diet. Hair/intestinal blockage is common because of ferret’s grooming and affinity towards chewing. Loss of appetite and lack of stools in their litter are symptoms of these serious problems. Anti-sociable ferrets due to neglect or abuse. Ear-mites that cause itchiness and a brown discharge from their ears. They can also catch and transmit influenza to/from humans so wash your hands before and after handling. The best remedy is plenty of fluids and rest. Ferrets are prone to congenital cancers like insulinoma and adrenal disease, especially in their later years. Symptoms of both can be hair loss, lethargy, and seizures. Seek medical help if you notice any symptom.

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This post, Ferret Care, originally appeared on Wilmette Pet Center on November 16, 2011. Tweet This Post!

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