Ferrets are higher maintenance pets than either cats or dogs, and require an owner who is willing to give a lot of time and attention. They need several hours of supervised exercise and play outside of their cage each day and can be quite mischievous and destructive. Ferrets get along with cats and most dogs if socialized with them early but should always be supervised.
Avoid contact with pet birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats. The ferret is a carnivore meat eater and can be fed a diet of good quality premium cat food or ferret food. Ferrets have an average life span of years and the female ferret jill has a pregnancy lasting around 42 days.
Young kits are born deaf and with their eyes closed until about 3 weeks of age when they also start to walk. Kits can be weaned onto kitten or ferret food by 6 weeks of age. Desexing a jill is recommended before the onset of first oestrus unless you want to breed from her, as female ferrets remain in heat unless mated, and prolonged high levels of oestrogen can result in bone marrow suppression and subsequent death.
Desexing of male ferrets hobs is also recommended to control aggressive territorial behaviour and reduce their musky odour. Descenting of ferrets by removing the anal sacs can also be performed at the time of desexing pets, but it only has a partial affect and is an optional procedure. Ferrets are masters of escape and can squeeze through the smallest of spaces.
They should be kept in their cage when not supervised and wear a collar with a bell. Ferret harnesses and leads are also available for exercising your pet ferret outdoors. They need a diet which is high in protein and fat, and low in carbohydrates and fibre. Consult with your veterinarian to ensure your ferrets have a balanced diet. You can also occasionally give your ferret very small amounts of fruits and vegetables as treats.
These must be soft and easily digestible such as melon and pears and only offered in minute quantities on occasion. Never feed your ferret the following:. For more information about feeding your ferret, please click here. Your ferret needs time to play every day, and will enjoy exploring outside his cage. This is also an opportunity to bond with you.
You can also make his space more fun by providing him with objects such as boxes and plastic tunnels, and regularly rearranging the objects in his cage. Your ferret will need regular health checks and yearly canine distemper vaccinations. He will also need regular flea control, heartworm and worming preventions. If you notice any changes in his drinking, eating, defecation or urination habits, or if he gains or loses weight, speak to your veterinarian.
You should also regularly check his coat and feet for signs of irritation, parasites and sores. Ferrets are inquisitive and like to chew, so make sure he cannot chew or swallow dangerous objects in his cage or around your house. Ferrets are very susceptible to heat stress, which can be fatal.
Ferrets are playful, mischievous, entertaining little animals who can bring endless enjoyment to a family. They are cuddly, interactive, spunky pets who can be great for owners who have time to take them out of their cages every day and play with them. Before you bring one of these little balls of energy into your home, there are a few things you should know. Foreign objects that are swallowed can lodge in their gastrointestinal GI tracts,potentiallyleading to obstructions. Electrical cords are also a potential hazard.
If you arethinking of getting a ferret, plan to supervise him whenever he is out of his cage; make sure you ferret-proof an area in your home where he can safely run around; and put away all shoes, socks and other interesting items he might find loose on the floor.
Young ferrets love to chase toys, nibble on toes and generally get underfoot. Generally, ferrets are social creatures who usually seek out the company of their human family or other ferrets. For this reason, many ferret owners end up getting more than one. Of course, like other types of pets, not all ferrets like all other ferrets. Before you adopt or purchase a ferret, check on local laws. Many veterinarians in these areas will still treat sick ferrets, but finding a ferret-savvy vet in these locations can sometimes be difficult.
Therefore, if you live in one of these areas, you need to consider another type of pet. In many of the states in which ferrets are legal, the law requires that they be vaccinated for rabies.
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