Care Sheet for Small AnimalsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.44 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 04/18/2006 |
Main Category: | Non-Reptile/Amphibian |
Sub Category: | Small Animals |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Repti_Chick |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Domesticated ferret |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | This caresheet covers all domesticated ferrets, all colors, all coat types, all patterns. |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Males:
Male ferrets are typically larger than females, typically around 5 pounds sometimes more. The penis will be visible and it appears to be an outie bellie button on their stomach.
Females: Smaller than males, typcally around 3 pounds. They lack the "outie belly button" and the vulva will be right above the anus. |
Mostly Active During: | Both |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Water is normally best provied in a 32 oz capacity water bottle made for ferrets, rabbits and guinea pigs. Water can also be provied in a dish, but be warned that it may be splashed out or dirtied up easily. My ferrets have always loved ice cubes too.
Substrates:
Ferrets are all for comfort. They need blankets and plush, soft stuff. Aspen shavings can be put in the bottom tray of a multi-level cage if desired. Petstores have a large variety of hammoks, swimgs, tents, blankets, sleeping bags and pillows for ferrets. You can also use old shirts or sweatshirts for bedding, but no towel as their claws can get caught in the loops.
For the litterbox, paper based pellets, caycob, and biodegradable, organic cat litters are best. Clay cat littler is too dusty and is harmful to a ferrets lungs and clumping cat litter is also too dusty and harmful if ingested. Some ferrets also burrow alot so they may see clay or clumping litter as sand in a sandbox. |
Lighting and UVB: | No special lighting is necessary. They need light and they appreciate some sunlight to nap in, but just make sure they can get out of it if they get too hot. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Ferrets are more tolerant of cold weather than hot. They are extremely prone to heatstroke and overheating. They should be kept indoors so they are pretty much comfortable with the temperatures we’re comfortable with. |
Heating and Equipment: | Don’t need heating. |
Caging Provided: | The bigger the cage the better. My ferret is kept in a 6 story cage with 3 other ferrets.
Even better is no cage. If you can dedicate and ferret proof a room of your home, that would be the best for a ferret. Free roaming is also an option, but is difficult as ferrets are very curious and will get into everything including cupboards drawers that contain hazardous materials and are also more prone to escape through dryer vents and sneak through doors when opened. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Ferrets have to have a high protein diet. Around 40% is best, however you can get away with 35 to 38. Zupreem ferret food is by far the best ferret kibble i’ve seen on the market. They should have a constant supply of kibble as they have a very short digestive track and eat around every 4 hours. Fat content should be between 18 and 22 percent and the first ingrediant on the list should be an animal meat like poulty, meat meal or fish. No corn or cornmeal! Canned ferret food is ok once in a while, but not as a staple food.
Ok treats:
Ferrets have different tastes. Some ferrets like fruits and veggies and thats fine in small quantities and as long as they’re chopped small. Ok fruits and veggies that appeal to some ferrets include green peppers, cucumbers without the skin, cooked peas, broccoli, green beans, snow peas, tomatoes, grapes, apple, kiwi, pear, cantaloupe, watermelon, blueberries and mashed bananas. Dehydrated/dried fruits like bananas, pears, pineapple, apricots and especially raisins appeal to some ferrets and they’re ok as long as their chopped very finey as they can be a choking hazard. But remembr, they’re treats and should be given as treats. Treats should not make up more than 10% of the ferrets diet.
Also ok is the odd Cheerio, low salt cracker, cooked pasta, and toast. But don’t overdo it as ferrets can’t digest carbs and fiber very well.
No no treats:
No foods high in sugar which means no cake, no candy, no cookies or sugary cerials. Feeding sugar can rot teeth and cause diabetes. No chocolate as it’s toxic. No salty tricks like nachos, chips and pretzels. No popcorn either as it can get stuck in a ferrets throat. No sticky stuff like peanut butter as it can get stuck on the way down. Stuff like nuts and sunflower seeds should be avoided but are ok sparingly as long as their minced.
Raw egg yolks are ok but not recommended because of the risk of samonella.
Some people have also suceeded with having their ferrets on a raw diet, but this is a huge task and must be researched extensively and a vet should be consulted.
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Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Most supplements double as treats and ferrets find them irrestible
Ferretone
Ferret Derm
Furo-Tone
Pet Derm
Linatone for ferrets
and Vets best Healthy Coat supplement are all different brands of skin coat supplements. They all have different tastes so if your ferret doesn’t like on, it may like another. Follow the directions on the package and avoid overdosing. I use Ferretone and it also makes a good training treat. |
Maintenance: | Bedding should be washed weekly
Entire cage cleaned with cleaner once to twice a month
Ferret can be bathed once or twice a month, but not as often as once a week.
Litterbox cleaned daily or twice daily.
A ferrets ears should be cleaned regularly. If you encounter excessive amounts of reddish brown earwax, blackish wax, strong smelling wax or discharge, consult a vet as it is most likely a problem.
Claws will also need regular trimming. To do this, put the ferret on his back in your lap and put a bit of ferretone or ferretvite on his stomach and you can clip his claws easily while he’s busy licking the yummies. If your fuzzy is a heavy sleeper, you can do it while he’s asleep or you can have somebody restrain the ferret gently by the scruff of the neck while you clip.
Fleas might be a problem. You can find ferret safe flea products in the store, or you can get some from your vet. |
Some Words on this Species: | Stuff to be careful of:
Rubber, foam, latax and cork are 4 things that ferrets seem to like to eat but they can cause intestinal blockages.
Ferrets may also have a taste for beauty products, feminine hygene products, and like many dogs...antifreeze. So make sure all that is out of a ferrets reach or range. Remember, ferrets are curious and smart and can learn to open cabinets and drawers. A baby lock can prevent that.
Ferrets need yearly rabis and distemper vaccinations
If you keep your ferret in a cage, he needs 4 hours minimum of supervised out of the cage time.
About ferret smell, if you keep the litter box clean and wash the bedding regularly, it won’t be a problem. You can also buy ferret deoderizers from the petstore. Also, make sure your ferret is descented and neutered and that’ll take care of the majority of the odor. Most ferrets sold are already neutered and descented.
Ferrets and other animals:
Ferrets will have a problem with small rodents and birds. They will kill or hurt them without a doubt. Cats are usually ok with ferrets if introduced properly. Same with dogs.
Walking:
Ferrets can be taken out for a stroll on a leash and harness. But keep in mind, they can be expected to obey like a dog or can. Rather than you walking the ferret, the ferret is walking you. Just let it go where it wants and you follow.
Warning on panda and blazes:
Ferrets with the panda marking or a blaze are usually genetically born deaf. However, this doesn’t make a different to the ferrets quality of life. You probably won’t even tell so don’t let it discourage you from getting a ferret.
Finally, I’d like to dedicate this caresheet to my own female ferret Trixie. I got her as an unwanted 3 year old and she is now 9 years old, 2 years beyond the normal lifespan of 7. She was genetically born deaf, and is now blind with arthritis but still living a full, spoiled, happy life with 3 male ferrets. |
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