Any advice for caring for a ferret?

Question

I would like any advice that you can give me about caring for a ferret. Toy suggestions? home made toys? bedding? food (a good food brand) treats? how to introduce them to other dogs and cats? how to "baby" proof your house for ferrets safety? Litter box training? bathing? ANY ADVICE WILL HELP! LET ME KNOW!

THANKS

Answer 1

This website will answer all your questions and give a lot of good information.

http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/wholefa...

Also search the word "ferret" here on answers and look through all the old questions and answers.  You'll find a lot of interesting things just by searching the Questions on here.

Answer 2

Even for a ferret with free range of the house, a cage is a smart thing to have on hand. A cage or other enclosure can help your ferret learn how to use a litter pan. Although ferrets generally don’t take to using litter as quickly as cats do, they can learn. Start your ferret out in a small area, such as the cage, and expand his or her space gradually as he or she learns. Train ferrets with praise and treats—never use punishment. Once your ferret has learned to use litter pans, place them throughout your home. Please don’t use clumping litter, which can easily be inhaled and can also cause rectal blockages.

Ferrets must eat a high-protein cat food, but keep in mind that most ferrets dislike fish flavors. The food must contain at least 32 percent protein and 18 percent fat.2 Unless your ferret is overweight, make food available to him or her at all times. Vitamin supplements such as ferretone and linatone and small amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables aren’t strictly necessary, especially if you provide a high-quality cat food, but they can contribute to good health if they are supplied in the proper amounts. To help your ferret pass indigestible objects that he or she may ingest, such as rubber bands or Styrofoam, you may also want to give him or her small doses of a cat-hairball remedy regularly. Chocolate, licorice, onions, and dairy products are not recommended for ferrets. Ask your veterinarian for more information about food and supplements.

Answer 3

I have had ferrets for the past 7 yrs & I love them, but you should make sure you know what you're getting into before buying one. Ferrets can get some diseases that can be somewhat pricey to treat. Do not buy a ferret thinking it will be like taking care of a cat. They can't be left in a cage all day like a hamster. Mine don't ever use their cage because they hate it( & they're spoiled).You need to find a vet that has experience with ferrets. Make sure that there food is mostly protein based and they chew on anything soft or rubbery so you need to be really careful about leaving things that they can get into, or they will end up in surgery to remove it. I have had great luck with all 3 of mine, but I took alot of time to ferret proof my house. Good luck!

Answer 4

don't go spending lots of money on toys, because ferrets are more likely to fall in love with your sock than a 20$ toy. Tubes, tunnels, stuffed animals (nothing with parts that can be chewed off) make great ferret toys. You can check in the human baby section and usually some of these toys make great ones, just no rubber or small objects. You could also hang like bird toys, ( the ones with bells and balls) from the top of their cage.

For bedding do not use pine or cedar chips, actually don't use any kind of chip. You could use shredded newspaper, or even newspaper that isn't shredded either or works.

To introduce them to other pets maybe just let your dog and cat around the cage while the ferret is inside. If your dog is large, like a german shepard, boxer, husky, etc, I would suggest not to let your ferret out with the dog. Ferrets usually get along well with cats, so that shouldn't be a problem.

To "ferret proof" all you need to do is go on your hands and knees and go around your house/room and look to see if there is anything they can get into or anything that leads outside, if there is block it off with tape, or something sturdy. Try to avoid letting your ferret in the kitchen because he/she could easily get stuck under the fridge, under the stove, etc.

Litter box training can be easy and it can be difficult, it all depends on the ferret. Wait to see wich corner or spot in the cage he/she choses, than place a litter box in that corner, anytime the ferret goes outside the litter box, clean it up and leave a little bit in the litter box, same when it pees, just rip off that piece of newspaper and put it in the box. For litter you could use shredded egg carton, none clumping and low odor cat litter, or you can buy ferret litter.

Do not bath your ferret very often because it can make their smell alot worse. I would suggest only bathing maybe 2 or 3 times a year, unless maybe they've gotten into something. As for shampoo you can use the kind specifically for ferrets, or a kitten brand.

Hope this helped!

Good luck with your new friend!

Answer 5

The first person is wrong.  Ferrets need ferret food, NOT cat food.  And absolutely no fruits or veggies.  Just go the the pet store and look in the ferret section.  It will give you a good idea.