Basic Ferret Care - How to Care For a Ferret

Are you interested in getting a ferret? These lovable, unique creatures actually require more attention than a dog or a cat. They sleep a lot, about 18 hours a day, but when they are awake, you will have a handful of energy to deal with.

Ferrets are extremely curious and love to get into things. Exploring is one of their favorite activities. If they are caged, this isn’t a problem, but if they aren’t, they can get into a lot of accidents. On the other hand, if they aren’t caged, they won’t get the exercise and mental exercise that they need.

You will need to keep an eye on your ferret to make sure they stay safe. You will want to have basic safety features around to keep them healthy, but you will also have to perform some basic actions to make sure that they are kept in optimal healthy and physical safety. These animals live approximately 7 years, so they will need a lot of attention, love, caring and check-ups.

Basic care for your ferret begins with the vet visits. You will need to give them regular vaccines and check-ups. There are common diseases that you will need to prevent, including rabies and canine distemper. You will have to ask your vet if there are other diseases you need to consider in your area to protect your pet. The vet should also check for lumps, which can indicate possible insulinomas and tumors. They need to watch out for dental problems, adrenal problems and other ferret-specific conditions.

Ferrets love to get into trouble, whether they mean to or not. They can get into very tight and small places that even a small cat wouldn’t consider. They will need special ferret-proofing, including behind the stove or refrigerator, falling off a balcony or landing and getting into the fabric stuffing of the couch or mattress.

You will need to wash your ferret at least two times a year to prevent smells emanating from your pet. This will also keep their animal healthy. Don’t put a shampoo on your ferret that will strip its natural oils from its skin. You don’t want to dry out their skin and have skin lesions or sores on your animal as a result. Ferrets have sharp claws and can repeatedly scratch an area that can become a hot spot just like a dog.

You need to make sure your ferrets ears are cleaned at least one time every month. You will need to remove the wax and other problems that could be building up in their ears. You can get a simple ear cleaning solution that will inject warm water into their ears via a plastic syringe. After you massage the ear for 20 seconds, it should loosen the material and when the ferret shakes his head, the matter will be expelled. You can follow up with a q-tip afterwards.

You should make sure that your vet gets regular baths and regular examinations of their entire body.

Ferrets love to burrow and will make a bed for themselves in cat litter. If you don’t have the right kind of litter, the ferret can get pellets up their nose that can cause nasal blockage. This in turn will lead to upper respiratory problems, membrane irritation and a host of additional problems.

If you don’t give your animal enough water in their diet or if they are suffering from a bacterial infection, your ferret will exhibit signs of a swollen vulva or rectum. You will need to give them antibiotics, such as Clavamox or Baytril.

If you regularly exercise and play with your ferret outside its cage, you are certain to have a healthier, happier pet. You will need for them to work all of those muscles that the cage doesn’t permit. You need to make sure they are kept on a leash as well unless their play area is enclosed and does not have any holes for them to sneak through. These animals will naturally look for and create burrows and smaller spaces for them to hide. They are great at getting into small spaces, but not as great at getting out of them!

Ferrets don’t like extreme temperatures. If it is above 80 degrees F or below 45 degree F, they will be in trouble. You will need to have a lot of cool, fresh water nearby if it is hot outside. Their fur is not designed to protect them against the cold, so you will need to keep them inside when the seasons change to winter.

         

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