I would like to share with you a few tips about husbandry and general medical care.

Ferret Facts

Ferrets are spunky little creatures that usually adapt well to households that already have cats and dogs. Households with children under the age of six may not be suited for ferrets right away. Male ferrets (hobs) have a stronger body odor than do the females (jills). Spaying or neutering your pet usually subdues that "ferret" odor to a tolerable level. Ferrets can be bathed every two weeks to help control odors. Make sure you are using products that are safe for ferrets. The life span on a ferret is between seven to ten years with proper medical care and nutrition.

Food Stuffs

Ferrets are strict carnivores (meat eaters) like the cat. Therefore high quality cat food such as Iams is recommended. Young ferrets under three years require kitten food and older ferrets do well on a maintenance type cat food. Ferrets normally eat 10-12 meals per day so a dry cat food fed free choice works best. Keep treats to a minimum as fruits and vegetables will cause diarrhea. Treats high in sugar are strictly forbidden because they cause pancreatic tumors in ferrets. Ferrets should always have fresh water available. The best is a water bottle or a heavy dish since they like to play in water and will overturn a plastic dish. Do not give ferret's milk or milk products. They cannot tolerate lactose.

Housing

Ferrets are true escape artists and can wiggle thru openings smaller than one inch in diameter. Wire rabbit cages work well to confine your pet while you are away from the house. There are also many types of specialty cages made for ferrets. Even three story condos. Within the cage an enclosed sleeping area should be provided or your ferret could become stressed. Ferrets can be litter trained. Be careful of using litters that contain lot of dust that can irritate the lungs and dry a ferret's coat and skin. A note of caution- your pet may not always return to its cage to relieve itself so several litter boxes in the house may be necessary.

TOYS

NO RUBBER TOYS!

This includes putting rubber-soled shoes and other items beyond the ferrets reach. Ferrets ingest rubber and it gets lodged in the stomach. Ferrets will burrow into reclining chairs, mattresses and other such types of furniture and can suffocate. So, stick with safe toys like nylon bones, ping-pong balls and golf balls, PVC pipe, small cans and paper bags.

VACCINATIONS

Ferrets need to be vaccinated for canine distemper once a year as adults. Young ferrets need a distemper booster at eight, eleven, and fourteen weeks of age. Ferrets require a rabies vaccine at fourteen weeks of age and once a year there after.

PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE

Ferrets can get heartworm and should be tested and put on a preventative in the same manner dogs are treated. Ferrets also get hairballs and require a laxative just like cats. Ferrets should also get a vitamin supplement like Ferretone to maintain a healthy coat, and healthy skin.

We hope this has been informative for those of you who have a ferret or are considering one as a pet. They are active and entertaining little creatures. Ferrets can make great pets but require care and understanding.