Ferrets

Home Care

   Ferrets are described as being between dogs and cats in personality, with an otterlike, frolicsome character throughout adult life.  Most weigh between 2-4 pounds as adults.  They come when called, love to cuddle and usually get along with other family pets, although all initial meetings should be supervised.

    Ferrets are latrine animals:  They return to the same place to go to the bathroom, so they naturally use a litter box like a cat. Avoid scented litter materials because they are often rejected by ferrets or will cause respiratory problems. Ferrets have simple stomachs and no cecum, so food quickly passes through, in approximately three hours.  When they have to go, they have to go.  Even when litter box trained, if they are in a room away from their box, you may have to clean up a mess.  Either have multiple boxes in different rooms, or only let your ferret roam one-two rooms at a time.

Hygiene:

    Ferrets can be bathed once or twice a month - but not more frequently, as bathing dries their coats and skin.  Ferrets produce a large amount of ear wax, so you should regularly clean their ears with a cotton swab.  Also, a ferret's nails need regular clipping about every two weeks.

Diet:

   Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat or meat-based protein.  Ferret food is available and should be used, although many ferrets seem to prefer a quality cat food.  Dry food is preferable to help take care of their teeth.  Ferrets don't digest food with soy, corn or corn gluten very well so stay away from foods with these items.  Rice and rice flour are better for ferrets.  Also, they should be on a diet containing 36-38 percent animal protein and 22-24 percent fat.  If you chose to give snacks, make sure they are low in calories and protein, so they don't affect the nutritional balance of the ferret's diet.  Do not give a lot of fruits.  The fructose and fiber will cause loose stools.

Veterinary Care

   Ferrets need a yearly canine distemper and rabies vaccination.   Since they can also develop heartworm disease, check with your veterinarian about prevention.

    Intact male ferrets have a strong odor, and they scent things with urine, just like a cat.  They have tiny testicles when not in season and large testicle during mating season (March through December).  Females are seasonally polyestrous which means after they come into heat, they stay in heat until bred.   This prolonged release of estrogen suppresses the bone marrow causing aplastic anemia.  It is recommended that any ferret that is not to be used for breeding be spayed or neutered.  Most are done at six weeks of age before they are sold to a new home.

Diseases:

   Ferrets are prone to many diseases.  Some of the more common ones are mentioned here. 

        1)  Gastric foreign bodies - ferrets love to eat many things.  Some of these things they can not                digest and can cause a gastric obstruction.   

        2)  Gastric ulcers

        3)  Adrenal tumors - at least 1/3 of all ferrets over 3 years old develop adrenal tumors.

        4)  Pancreatic tumors (insulinomas) occur at the same frequency as adrenal tumors.

    If your ferret is not eating, losing weight, each energy or seems to "space out", it should be seen by your veterinarian.

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