FERRET?!? information?

Question

I'm thinking of getting a Ferret but i have no idea how to take care of them or anything...So what do ferrets need and whats the price range? Also do they need there nails cut and when should i bring them to the vet?

plzz help!! person who answers everything gets 10pt

Answer 1

chinchillas are better!

Answer 2

ok first thing you need to know:[ its a biggie!] IF A FERRET CAN FIT ITS HEAD THROUGH A HOLE: SO CAN ITS BODY.

ferrets need an escape proof cage with tunnels and wheel. they need alot of exercise. the price, depends where you live check out a pet store or a ferret breeder. be careful though, some are smugglers. and they do need there nails trimmed once in a while and you can probably do it yourself with a file. and take it to the vet when you first get it and they will ask you to bring it in for follow ups. good luck and have fun!!!

Answer 3

A ferret needs the following: about two or three hours of playtime per day, quality ferret food, a large wire cage, proper vet care, baths every couple months, and a clean living environment. A ferret will not be happy unless these things are provided. Ferrets do need their nails cut about every one to three weeks, depending on how fast your ferret's nails grow. You should bring your ferret to the vet annually for a check-up so they can spot diseases early, for rabies, canine distemper, and other vaccinations, and whenever you think your ferret is seriously ill (with things such as an intestinal blockages). For more info on ferrets, I recommend reading Ferrets for Dummies, by Kim Schilling. It is recommended by a lot of ferret owners and shelters, and me, too! Also check out some websites with ferret information. Just search "ferret care" or "ferret" on Google.

Hope this helps and good luck getting a ferret!

Answer 4

go to hugawoozel.com it has GREAT information on how to take care of them and everything you need to know! ferrets themselves cost about $100 and depending on the cage that can cost a lot too. My mom was our ferret's vet so she did the nail trimmings about every month.

Answer 5

Read up!:

http://www.petinfopackets.com/ferrets/fe...

http://www.ferretcentral.org/

http://www.ferretuniverse.com/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0...

http://www.everythingfert.proboards36.co...

http://www.mdferretpaws.org/care/food_tr...

Answer 6

Let's start off with food! Ferrets are obligate carnivores so anything but meat should only be rarely offered as a treat. All vegetables and fruits go right through them and some have too much sugar to be safe. Honestly, your best choice is never offering anything but meat based foods, with the occasional raisin thrown in (only if your ferret is not suffering from insulinoma).

Ferrets need to be fed very high quality food! And some cat or kitten foods are of high enough quality to be used as their food. Many cat foods are actually of higher quality than some ferret foods.

Your ferret will have much less of a smell (both body odor and p**p) if you are feeding high quality foods with little to no fish in them. Marshalls food is terrible and will make a ferret stink. Also, ferrets have to eat a lot more of a poor quality food in order to get what they need.  So they actually will eat less of a higher quality food.

Always have food available to your ferret along with fresh water!!!! Ferrets eat small meals all throughout the day and night. And they will drink more water from bowls rather than bottles. They aren’t hamsters after all!

Food needs to contain at least 32% protein from animals (NOT plant) and 18% fat. Low fiber is desirable. Things to avoid:  Fish makes them stink more so make sure it is low in the ingredient list. Corn is a cheap filler food and goes right on through them. Animal by-products are absolutely disgusting and are things that are not fit for human consumption (beaks, feet, intestines, etc…).

Use this food comparison chart to choose a few brands that rate a “1” or a “2” and you’ll be all set: http://www.everythingfert.proboards36.co... .

Another VERY important part of your ferret’s diet is “duck soup”. It’s a high protein soupy mixture that is critical for when your ferret is feeling under the weather. Plus it’s a wonderful treat. Here is some more info on its importance along with a recipe for it: http://www.ferretfacts.com/k1dusoreimof.... .

Something a lot of people are worried about is smell. Here's how to reduce ferret odor:

1. Feed high quality food with low to no fish ingredients. Your ferret smells like it eats (both body odor and p**p). Use the info I gave you above to help choose a food.

2. Don’t bathe too often. The more you bathe a ferret the worse it will smell. The reason is very simple. When you bathe them it strips necessary natural oils from their skin. Then their body has to work overtime to replace it, thus resulting in a stinkier ferret. Only bathe if they get into something, no more than once or twice a year.

3. Clean their ears. A lot of smell can come from those little ears! Use ferret safe liquid ear cleaner and cotton swabs to gently clean the gunk out.

4. Keep bedding washed. It can absorb quite a lot of smell over time. How often you need to wash it depends on how many ferrets you have.

5. Keep litter boxes clean. Again, you might have to do it daily or twice a day depending on the number of fuzzbutts.

6. Keep cage clean. Give it a periodic wipe down. Natures Miracle is a wonderful cleaner and can be used in the cage and for cleaning up accidents outside of the cage.

Ferrets will always have a unique scent to them. But it’s really not that bad if you are vigilant about cleaning. All pets have an odor, how strong it is depends on the owner!

Scent glands have absolutely nothing to do with the daily odor of ferrets. The removal of the glands only prevents a scared ferret from expressing its fright or displeasure.

Spayed females and neutered males have no difference in odor. Intact males are the only ones that have a very strong unpleasant odor. But the majority of ferrets sold in the pet trade are altered.

Here is an article on what items you need: http://everythingfert.proboards36.com/in...

It will easily cost over $400 to get started with a ferret.

Ferret Nation cages are the absolute best on the market and will save you a TON of hassle: http://www.ferret.com/ferret-cages/ferre...

Definitely pick up the book "Ferrets for Dummies" by Kim Schilling. The 2nd edition is a must have!

Clip their nails as often as needed. Just flip them over, drizzle a generous amount of ferretone on their belly, and while they are distracted l*****g it you can easily clip their nails.

Apart from check-ups you should see a vet at the first hint of illness. Ferrets go down hill pretty quickly. p**p is often the first sign of something going wrong. You'll soon learn what the normal color and consitency of their poo is. If it changes for more than a day then you should see a vet.

You also need to become familiar with the signs of common ferret diseases such as adrenal gland disease and insulinome.

That's really just the tip of the iceberg of ferret care. Pick up the book I mentioned and keep researching online!

Answer 7

okay, i would say that a ferret is $100 and a good cage is about $150, and food would cost $20 dallors a month, so about $270. yes, they need thier nails clipped, but it isnt verry hard. they only have to have thier nails clipped once a month,

yes you take them to the vet 4 check ups.