GENERAL INFORMATION |
The
decision to add a ferret to your family
must never be made on impulse. Prospective
owners are encouraged to learn everything
they can before deciding to purchase. To many people,
ferrets make the perfect pet, but as with cats, dogs,
birds, iguanas, etc. ferrets are not for everyone.
Please, for the sake of the ferret, consider the following
information before you make a decision.
Most unwanted ferrets are bought from pet
stores which do not provide their customers
with adequate information. This leads new
owenrs to become "disconnected" from their
new companion and doomed to failure from
the start. These people become frustrated
with their ferret and either give it away to
someone else who has no knowledge of
ferrets or they abandon it to a Humane Society. Even
worse, many ferrets are locked in cages for the rest
of their lives, completely isolated from human interaction
while other are simply dumped outdoors to fend for
themselves. Please remember that ferrets cannot survive
in the wild, and will die within days if not found.
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FEEDING
Because ferrets have a high metabolic rate and eat 9-10
small meals a day, food and a constant supply of fresh
water must be made available at all times. Water is
essential as ferrets are prone to dehydration. The bulk
of a ferret's diet should include a premium quality
low ash dry cat food. Cow's milk should not be given
as it will cause diarrhea. (Lactose-reduced milk can
be given in small quantities and is especially good
for older ferrets).
All
ferrets love Ferretone but it should be given in moderation,
a few drops a day because it is a vitamin supplement.
Linatone is not recommended as it contains too much
Vitamin A, which is toxic in large doses. Fruits and
vegetables (including raisins) should be should be given
only as an occasional treat; ferrets are not able to
digest fiber. Dog biscuits broken into very small pieces
can be given in limited quantities. Sweets and sugar
should be avoided.
Heavy
ceramic dishes make the best containers for food and
water as they cannot be easily overturned.
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DO
YOU HAVE TIME FOR A FERRET?
Ferrets are delightful, social creatures who crave human attention.
They must not be confined to a cage without the opportunity
for exercise and interaction with you at least twice a day
for several hours. You must be prepared to make adjustments
in your daily life to accommodate the needs of your ferret.
If you do not allow your ferret the exercise and companionship
that it needs on a daily basis, it will become unhappy and
stressed and will suffer from physiological and mental problems.
HOUSING
Are
you willing to house your ferrets properly?
Ferrets
do not mind being housed in a cage as long as they are allowed
out for daily regular exercise. A proper cage is a must and
should be big enough to hold a large litter box, food and
water dishes and plenty of room for bedding. (Rabbit cages
are too small for ferrets). On the other hand, an ideal living
arrangement for ferrets is to house them in a small ferret-proofed
room. This does not mean that they should be confined to the
room for their entire existence. Ferrets are people-oriented.
They must have human contact every day and become depressed
when constantly left alone. They must be allowed to run and
romp with you at least twice a day.
All
areas where ferrets are allowed to play must be ferret-proofed.
Most
ferrets love the company of other ferrets and will spend hours
chasing and wrestling each other. Says one ferret owner, "I
can't imagine having only one ferret."
In
fact, even though many sources say that one ferret alone will
be very happy if you give it attention, compared to the fun
of two (or three) can have, a single ferret owner is missing
out big time. In fact the tactics used by ferrets when three
of them are playing at the same time are quite amusing. (Probably
because of the amount of backstabbing used). " Writes
an experienced ferret fancier, "I have maintained for
many, many years that the worst number of ferrets one could
have in terms of demand on your time and patience is one.
"
Although
some books indicate that an adult ferret will accept another
after a short adjustment period, our experience has shown
that this is not always the case. Some ferrets, when introduced
to each other, become friends immediately, yet for others
it takes weeks and even months of patience on the part of
the humans before the ferrets will accept each other. In other
cases, some ferrets will simply never learn to accept another.
The bottom line is that it is much easier to integrate ferrets
when they are younger rather than later after one has established
territory.
If
you are away from home all day, a pair of ferrets will keep
each other company.
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IS
A FERRET RIGHT
FOR YOU?
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Ferrets
are part of the Mustelidae family, their relatives include
otters, minks, weasels, and ermines. Unlike other members
of their family, ferrets are NOT wild animals.
In fact, ferrets have been so thoroughly domesticated
that their ability to survive in the wild is virtually
non-existent.
They are intelligent, curious, and joyful animals who
love to run and romp throughout their entire lives.
The males generally weigh 3-4 pounds and the females
1-3 pounds. Their average lifespan is 6-9 years.
Ferrets spend 18-20 hours a day sleeping regardless
of their age. For this reason they make perfect pets
for people who are not home during the day. Many people
who are allergic to cats and dogs will find they are
not allergic to ferrets.
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FERRET
PROOFING: BASIC TIPS
One
of the most important things you can do to safeguard your
ferret is to ensure there is absolutely NO way for them to
escape to the outer world or into openings in your home.
Don't
underestimate the abilities of a ferret, they are more than
capable of getting into or under the smallest of openings
and able to move heavy things outs of their way! Ferret proofing
is not a one time job, it is a constant endeavor that
our fuzzies prove time and again. Equally important is to
ensure there is nothing dangerous or poisonous (especially
house plants and potpourri) within their reach as ferrets
are more than capable of jumping and climbing to get to items
that catch their attention, as well as dig through the dirt
of your favorite houseplant. Common household items that are
usually over looked in protecting your fuzzy are the buttons
on your remote control which they can swallow, parts of a
toy they can chew off and swallow and the infamous styrofoam
packing peanuts. All of these items can cause serious life
threatening health problems to a ferret which can easily be
avoided.
Due
to the size and endless curiosity of the ferret, they will
always find new ways and new territories to explore. Prior
to bringing home your first ferret, it is vital to their safety
and well-being that there be no openings they can get into
or under. The best way to accomplish this is to literally
lay on the floor in every room and search out spaces, openings,
etc. they can get into and close them up. This applies to
cabinets which they can open as well, you certainly don't
want your ferret to come into contact with any dangerous chemicals,
so child proofing is strongly recommended. As previously mentioned,
ferret proofing is not a one shot deal, you will always need
to keep an eye on your ferret as they show you new territory
they can get in to.
ARE
YOU WILLING/ABLE TO MEET THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS?
As
with any animal, the cost of upkeep will far exceed the initial
cost. You must be prepared to supply your ferret with premium
cat food and a good quality litter. Ferrets require annual
trips to the veterinary clinic for a check-up and a distemper
shot (canine distemper is 100% fatal in ferrets).
As
with all animals, ferrets are susceptible to certain diseases
such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dental disease, pneumonia
and colds, to name a few. It is important to take time out
each day to observe your pet's physical condition and behavior.
Any changes in your ferret's health should be dealt with promptly.
Intestinal blockages in ferrets are serious and can lead to
death if surgery is not performed. Would you be willing to
provide your ferret with the necessary medical care should
expensive surgery be required?
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