You've seen them in movies and on TV shows, and the local pet store usually has some for sale. They seem to be intelligent and cuddly. But what do you really know about owning a ferret?
Ferrets live an average of 6-8 years, although some can be as old as 10. They tend to sleep a lot (about 18 hours a day!), but when they are awake they are very playful and fun to watch.
The domestic ferret is not to be confused with their wild cousins, the Black Footed Ferret, which is an endangered species. Never take a ferret from the wild to keep as a house pet.
Many people have the misconception that ferrets stink! Although they do have a slightly musky odor, it is not an offensive scent, and occasional bathing helps with this. Most ferrets sold in North America for pets have also been descented and neutered before sale, and this aids in cutting any odor they might otherwise have.
The name ferret is derived from the latin furonem, which means "thief." If you've ever owned a ferret, as I have, you know the name is well deserved. They will steal and hide anything that appeals to them, especially if it is shiny and easy to carry off.
There are many good quality commercial ferret foods on the market. It used to be a common misconception that you could feed ferrets a quality cat food, but research has shown that a quality ferret food is recommended. Ferrets require a diet high in protein (34 -36%) and one that contains about 20% fat. The source of the protein should be animal protein?vegetable protein is not adequate for a ferret's metabolism, as it is indigestible to them.. Be sure to read the labels at your pet food supply store to ensure adequate nutrition. You can give your ferret treats such as apples, raisins and bananas or there are commercial treats available at your pet food supply store. Treats should be given sparingly, and are a great incentive for training purposes.
A ferret should have a cage that is large enough for them to move around in. They are very active animals when awake, and it is likely you will want to confine them to a cage when you are not home.
Ferrets can be trained to use a litter box. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Initially, keep the litter box in the ferret's cage. Generally a ferret will use the box, and can be rewarded with a small treat when they do so. 2. After the ferret is used to using the litter box in the cage, you can gradually move the litter box further from the cage if you wish. 3. When you ferret is out of the cage, take them to the litter box frequently and reward them when they use the box with lots of praise and perhaps a small treat. 4. Ferrets back up to defecate or urinate, so if you notice your ferret backing into a corner when out of the cage, take them to the litter box.
Ferrets love to play! They will play with almost anything, so it's very important that the toys they have available to them are safe. Things that are sharp or have small parts that can be swallowed should be avoided. Soft rubber toys are not a good choice as ferrets have sharp teeth and will destroy them quickly. Most of what a ferret plays with ends up in it's mouth, so it's much like "babyproofing" your house. Suggestions for ferret toys:
1. hard plastic balls
2. hard rubber balls
3. things they can crawl into?commercial ferret "tubes", or a section of PVC pipe at least 3" in diameter
4. paper bags and cardboard boxes
5. rattles, teething rings, etc (toys made safe for human babies)
6. small stuffed animals
Remember?they will steal anything, so make sure you "ferret proof" your house. Oh?I forgot?.When I bought my first ferret, I was told they do not climb. They are very good climbers, as I found out.
After reading all this, if you have decided you still want to own a ferret, Good For You! They are delightful, entertaining pets. I will never regret having a ferret as a FurrKid at one point in my life.
Cait Isaacs
Are you irritated by your dog's drooping ears or your... Read More
Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More
"Mom, can we get a puppy?" Who hasn't heard that... Read More
Yes! We love our wonderful and dear Pooches! We care... Read More
This is a question that has been asked of me... Read More
Here's a simple way... to help your horse learn twice... Read More
Are you ready for a Boxer?The answer is "no" if... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
Do you really get the fullest amount of enjoyment out... Read More
Dog arthritis is one of the most common diseases that... Read More
What does doing natural preventative care mean? I thought vaccinating,... Read More
The groups of fishes commonly referred to as Cichlids, comprise... Read More
Sure, you may be a master of human First Aid.... Read More
What is Canine Distemper?Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease... Read More
According to the American Humane Society, just 15% of dogs... Read More
There are lots of ways a horse can go lame.... Read More
What happens when we die? In our society, death is... Read More
Pet ContainmentIf you just recently became a pet owner or... Read More
None of us likes to be bitten by mosquitoes and... Read More
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More
A poorly trained dog can embarrass its owner and offend... Read More
One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy... Read More
Doggie day care is becoming more and more prevalent in... Read More
Have you ever wondered what a dog thinks, or if... Read More
Anyone can put two dogs together and let them breed,... Read More
Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even... Read More
Much has been written about the Discus, or Symphysodon aequifasciatus,... Read More
This mysterious cat is originally from the country of Siam,... Read More
There are a number of reasons for choosing natural pet... Read More
How to Deal With Anxiety in Your DogAnxiety in dogs... Read More
All dogs bark, it's their way to communicate a message.... Read More
Puppy TrainingPuppy training can be a trying time. The key... Read More
Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los Angeles... Read More
Without agility, the most muscular person in the world couldn't... Read More
Gain some insight into how your favorite feline actually feels... Read More
Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
It's beginning to get cooler and as such it is... Read More
You might think the most important bit of dog health... Read More
If you have a hard time in summer imagine how... Read More
Perhaps the best way to train your westie pups not... Read More
Are cats and children a good mix?So, you had a... Read More
Because your dog lives with humans, he's going to have... Read More
Should you seriously consider buying a dog health insurance policy?... Read More
Dog obedience training starts even before you get your puppy... Read More
This is an 11 step guide to setting up a... Read More
Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie,... Read More
Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet... Read More
Westies dogs' owners delight in the companionship their dogs give... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
Dog's come in all shapes and sizes ? out of... Read More
Have you ever dreamed of living with a bobcat or... Read More
Flea control can be a very hard thing to do... Read More
The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
Training one dog can be hard enough, but two, now... Read More
Moving is about as stressful a time as any in... Read More
You may have heard that pets have been scientifically proven... Read More
Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave... Read More
It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More
Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been... Read More
Keeping your dog safe is similar to keeping a child... Read More
Dog bite injuries are alarmingly the most common condition that... Read More
We've all heard the phrase, "Free as a bird." In... Read More
Dog flea control and management requires an integrated approach. For... Read More
Pet |