Choosing a Ferret’s bed
Ferrets love sleeping. An adult ferret sleeps on average 18-20 hours a day. They also love hiding in soft dark areas. This being said, a ferret should have a comfortable area to sleep and hide in. When we sleep if it is hot in the room we use a light blanket, if the room is cold we use a heavier blanket, this helps us to regulate our body temper while we sleep so we are comfortable. The same hold true for ferrets. Therefore, a ferret should have two types of beds available to them in their cage. This way they can choose the place more comfortable for them to sleep in. Ferrets beds are essential for healthy sleeping patterns. If a ferret is uncomfortable while sleeping it disturbs sleep and your ferret will not live a healthy life.
One bed choice is sleep sacks, also known as nap sack, provide extra warmth when necessary. Sleep sack lies on the ground of the cage. It has one opening for the ferret to crawl into; some sleep sacks have openings at both ends. Once the ferret is in the sleep sack it is surrounded by warmed. Some sleep sack have a crinkling effect to them, keep in mind this type of sack is suitable for play.
The second bed choice is a hammock. A hammock is suspended in mid air and provides a pocketed space, which allows walled security with a partially open space. Being a ferret is sensitive to heat the hammock provides an open space that can be utilized for cooling comfort. Store bought fleece hammocks come in a variety of shapes and sizes some are lined, others are not. Some hammocks are larger so that they sleep multiple ferrets at the same time, because they love snuggling together while sleeping. Some hammocks are flat looking others are boot shaped; other hammocks have a zip front to provide adjustability of the size of the opening. Hammocks provide more area for a ferret to utilize. Hammocks can also be used as a safety feature; hammocks can be stepped for the ferret to gain access to a higher level of the cage, and prevent long falls.
It is important to make sure that any hammock or sleep sack purchased is machine washable to prevent the spread of disease. A tightly woven fabric is more durable and safe. If a hammock or sleep sock begins to fray or seams separate, you should remove it from the cage. Once a sleep sack or hammock is damaged it becomes a hazard to the ferret. When purchasing a hammock make sure the hardware provided is safe for your ferret. If the hammock come without hardware, make sure any hardware used will not harm your ferret.
It is a great idea to purchase a hammock for you ferret, because hammocks provide a safer environment, it put less pressure on the ferret’s body, it places them in their natural sleeping position, and it gives them a separate area to utilize for play.
Caring For Your Baby Ferret
Baby Ferrets, like most mammals, need a lot of care. Baby ferrets are able to leave their mothers at 6 weeks of age, but in place they need to get the proper attention and care from us in order to ensure a long happy healthy life. Knowledge on how to care for baby ferrets should be acquired before the ferrets are born. The female ferret, also known as a jill, should not be handled while she is giving birth. Handling a birthing female ferret is dangerous to her young, and she may become hostile, placing you at risk.
Ferrets typically have a litter made up of about seven or eight babies, also known as kits. The kits are born blind and are practically hairless with a pink complexion. They spend the first part of their lives eating, sleeping, and growing. It only takes about twenty days for the kits’ color to darken and soon after their eyes begin to open. Finally reaching six weeks of age they are able to leave their mothers. By seven weeks of age your baby ferret should get their first series of vaccinations, and consider having them de-scented and fixed.
A kit must be weaned off their old diet. So when you obtain your new baby ferret, you should ask the breeder which brand of food they have been eating before you consider switching. If you decide to use the same brand food you should soak the food in warm water for five or ten minutes before offering it to the baby ferret. If you are switching the ferret food, you must purchase the old brand and gradually introduce the new food to their diet. At one point in time ferrets used to eat cat food but now there is high-quality ferret food available. Ferrets, especially during infancy, need a higher quality of protein in their diet, which cat food does not offer. Which every food you choose, you should make sure that it contains at least 35% protein and 20% fat. Balanced fats like poultry fat is a better blend of essential fatty acids is better for baby ferrets. Baby ferrets should have water at all times and it should be changed once a day.
Your baby ferret should be housed in a large clean ferret specific cage so that they are comfortable, safe and have plenty of room to move about. A ferret cage provides ample room for safe play, being they are very active. Avoid metal bottom cages they corrode easily, and if you purchase plastic coated wire make sure your baby ferret is not chewing on it. Baby ferrets need places to hide. They like soft padding to burrow and sleep in. Bedding should be checked to make sure they are not eating it, as this will cause a block in their intestinal track.
Baby ferrets require lots of attention and love; they are very active and need to be properly cared when they are babies in order for them to live a safe and long life.
A Ferret’s Diet
A ferret’s diet is crucial for longevity, without a proper diet ferrets are at risk for serious health problems. Ferrets are meat eaters; therefore they cannot survive without a lower fiber high protein diet. Until middle of 1980’s premium cat food was the only choice for feeding pet ferrets. High quality cat foods are still okay to feed ferrets, but presently there are numerous choices of ferret foods on the market that provides the higher-quality fat needed, as well as lower content of carbohydrates. Ferrets need this combination of fat and lower carbohydrates in order to achieve a maximum life span. It is especially important that a baby ferret receive this type of diet. When purchasing look for products that have at least 35- 40% protein and 18-30% fat, 2% fiber, need to contain 21 amino acids, less than 7.0 % ash level, and good carbohydrate ingratiates such as rice flower or brewer’s yeast. Also, take into consideration some ferret foods are made with poorly processed frozen fish, and your ferret will not eat it. Some ferrets are so finicky they will refuse to the point of starvation. High quality ferret food is usually more expensive than higher quality cat food, but ferrets eat minimal amounts of the food, which brings down the overall cost. Ferrets that are feed with healthy diets do not need to take supplements.
A ferret has to eat at least twice a day in order to gain the calories needed to sustain a healthy life. Remember ferrets are small animals so their portions should be small too. If a ferret is fed a moist diet the food is only good for about forty five minutes, soon after the food should be removed. You might also want to consider a dry pellet diet. A dry pellet diet is longer lasting and can be left in the cage all day. Dry pellets also help to clean the ferret’s teeth. Ferrets on dry diets must have fresh water all the time. Ferrets prefer to drink from a dish rather than a water bottle, but if water is given in a dish it should be changed a few times a day to ensure purity.
Giving your ferret treats in not a necessity, but can be useful with housebreaking your ferret. Cooked eggs and meats are the best choice of snack. Avoid fruits they are high in sugar, candy, dairy products such as ice cream and milk, nuts and nut products; these products will cause nutritional problems. Some health problems include malnutrition, obesity, tooth decay, diarrhea, intestinal blockage, insulinoma, and hypoglycemia. Treats may also cause your ferret to refuse its normal daily diet, so use treats sparingly. Ferrets do not digest vegetables or grains well, so those should be avoided at all cost. Onions are poisonous to ferrets.
Providing a ferret with the proper nutrition is essential for a healthy life. It will ensure your ferret is happy and comfortable; it also minimizes the risk for serious life-threatening illnesses. Ferret owners have a reputation of showing an ample amount of love and affection towards these funny and frisky pets but, the best way to show love to your ferret is to reward them with a good diet.
It’s Time To Bring Your Ferret Home
Before you bring your ferret home there are a few things you should know. First you must choose a home for your ferret. Keep in mind this is the place your ferret will spend most of their time and it should be a comfortable, safe place. There are multiple choices of ferret cages, make sure there is enough room for your ferret to run around in. Make sure there are no gaps in the levels because this may catch your ferret and hurt it. The cage should always have soft bedding, so that your ferret is comfortable and does not hurt itself. Plastic bottom cages are easy to clean; metal bottoms rust and look dingy after multiple washings. It is important if you buy plastic coated metal that your ferret is not chewing the coating off because this can cause intestinal blockages. Make sure the cage has multi layers, and large doors. Larges door ensures your ferret will not get stuck when it’s trying to get out. Also purchase a sleeping sacks and hammocks the more areas your ferret has to sleep the more comfortable and happy they are. Remember ferrets sleep 15- 20 hours a day on average. Remember your ferret needs to spend two hours a day outside their cage. Think about ferret proofing a room so they do not get hurt.
Your ferret will also need toys, but be careful in what you purchase; some toys can place your ferret’s life at risk. Make sure toys are durable for the against the ferrets sharp teeth. Cat toys are wonderful for ferrets. Stay away from foam or plastic toys they are easily destroyed. Do not leave toys in the cage if you are not supervising, if your ferret damages a toy and eats the piece it can result in an obstruction and it will need to be surgically removed. Ferrets are part of the Mustelid family so they do have an odor to them, it is best that you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have your ferret neutered and de-scented. Often both procedures can be done at the same time. When your ferret is home make sure you follow the veterinarian’s aftercare instructions to ensure your ferrets health. Your ferret also needs vaccinations and regular exams. Most kits have only had their first series of shots, you should make sure you are aware of when they received their shots, and continue the series. After the first series of distemper shots are finished your ferret will only need the shot annually. Ferrets also need their booster vaccination.
The type of food you feed your ferret is important make sure it is either high quality cat food or a ferret food that is not made from frozen meat. You should find out what brand food the ferret has been eating before you bring it home. If you choose to switch brands you must wean the ferret off the old food. Mix a small amount of the new food in with the old food and gradually increase the portion of new food daily until the ferret becomes used to the new taste. Snacks for ferrets are not necessary and can cause many future health problems. If you choose to feed your ferret a snack, healthy options are cook eggs and meat. Feeding your ferret sugary treats will only harm them.
Bringing your ferret home takes a lot of preparation but it will ensure the safety and health of your furry little friend.
I Have Decided To Buy A Ferret: What Next?
You have researched ferret and have decided that they are the pet for you. They are an endearing addition to anyone’s life and to your home. These amazing creatures can be trained to use a litter box just like cats. But before you let your new ferret run around your house free, you’ll have to take a few precautions.
Of course you should never let a new animal loose in your home. Let it get acquainted with its surroundings from the protection and comfort of its cage for as long as it takes until you consider letting it room free throughout your home. You will also need to teach your new ferret how to use a litter box as well. Depending on your ferret and how much time you devote to litter training most ferrets end up using the litter box about 75% of the time. There are ferrets that will use the litter box every time but, with most, you might find a “present” in the house from time to time. Litter box training can take several hours a day for several months. The more attention you devote to it, the more likely you will have a litter box trained ferret. The best way to start litter box training is to allow your ferret to run around a small room like a bathroom first. Typically, ferrets will go within a few minutes of waking up or after they eat. So, when your ferret first wakes up, put it in the litter box. Don’t let it out until it has gone to the bathroom. Once it has gone, immediately give it a treat. The object is to try to get it associated with going in the litter box, then receiving a treat. You should never physically punish a ferret for any reason especially if they have an accident in the house. Using physical punishment will only make them fear you and they will not associate what they did with that kind of punishment. If you would like your ferret to be able to run around the house, you will have to be prepared to do a little cleaning up after them as well.
Something else you will need to do before you ferret is allowed to run free is to “ferret proof” your home. Ferret proofing means making your home safe for a ferret. They are small and curious creatures. They will find their way into small spaces. A good rule of thumb is that if their head will fit into a space, their bodies will too. Start to ferret proof by first crawling around your home on your hands and knees to look for small holes, crevices, loose ventilation covers, etc. You need to check every room your ferret will soon be exploring themselves. Don’t forget to include appliances in checking for small holes or places that ferrets can get inside of. Because ferrets are curious creatures that are extremely good climbers, anything can be a potential “play area” for ferrets. Ferrets will be able to get up into some types of refrigerators and could potentially get hurt on the fan. The dryer tubing looks like a really fun tube for a ferret. They can rip a hole in it and get outside through the vent. Couches can also be potentially dangerous for ferrets. Some couches have thin fabric lining underneath that ferrets can easily get through and up inside of the couch to the springs.
Some ferret owners would love to have their ferrets to be able to get extra exercise by running around their homes. But, the most important thing for your new ferret is for you to be able to offer your ferret a safe place to run.
Ferrets Care:Getting Started
If you have or you are thinking about purchasing a ferret, you must consider how much it time it requires to care for them. Ferrets are exotic animals that come from the mustelid family. This means they do tend to have an odor when they reach adulthood. De-scenting and neutering your ferret would be a good choice if you are not breeding them. De-scenting will help with their odor and fixing them is good when you purchase two or more to ensure that you will not have a litter
born. Ferrets also need to see the veterinarian for their vaccinations; it is always a good idea to bring any newly purchase animals in for a regular check up.
Ferrets need a balanced diet, high quality cat foods or ferret food can be purchased in any local pet store. Just make sure any brand of food chosen has at least 35% protein and 20% fat. Ferrets need higher fat levels than felines. Balanced fats like poultry fat are a better blend of essential fatty acids and are better for ferrets. Fresh water should always be available to your ferret. Ferrets drink less water from bottles than bowls. But if you are unable to change the water in the water bowl at least once a day, then using a water bottle is a better choice for you. You must also provide safe housing for your ferret. Consider a cage that is roomy, safe and easy to clean. Spacing of the cage is important. If the ferret can force its head through any part of that cage, it is in danger. Make sure the cage you purchase has no areas where your ferret’s feet can get caught. Ferrets love to run around and play. If they are not placed in a proper cage they will get hurt. Ferrets sleep 15-20 hours a day; they love to hide in dark padded areas. Sleeping sacks and hammocks are great for both play and sleep. Also, you can also try placing a sheet over one part of their cage in order to give them a nice, quiet and private place to play or to sleep.
Ferrets love to chew things; anything within a ferret’s reach can become a hazard to your ferret. You should check your ferret’s cage often for anything that it is chewing on that is becoming damaged. If a ferret eats the wrong thing it will cause obstruction in the intestines, and will need to be surgically removed. Ferrets can be social. You must start to introduce ferrets to humans when they reach 30 days old. You should let your ferret out of their cage at least twice a day, in a ferret proof room. Never leave your ferret unattended outside their cage. They are at risk for getting hurt. If you can handle them more often it is better for training. This will help them interact with you. Ferrets love cuddling and it is a great feeling when they do it with you. Ferrets can be litter trained. The sooner you introduce them to a litter box the higher success rate. Ferrets are a fun and loving pet, remember the more you interact and care for them the longer healthier life they will have.
