The European polecat was tamed to become ferrets. They belong to the same family as badgers, stoats, weasels, and otters—the mustelidae. Although they are becoming more and more popular as pets, they have long been used for hunting and pest management purposes.
Babies are referred to as kits, males as hobs, and females as jills. In addition to being larger than females, males will smell strongly and strongly if they haven’t been neutered.
Are ferrets suitable pets?
They are gregarious, energetic, inquisitive, and joyful pets. This indicates that while they can be wonderful companions, they are not the easiest to handle and have a strong bite when startled. Therefore, they aren’t always suitable as kid pets.
What’s the lifespan of a pet ferret?
Although they can live up to 15 years as pets, most ferrets only survive six to ten years on average. So before you buy or adopt one, be sure you can dedicate yourself to maintaining it for this long.
Are ferrets social creatures?
Due to their gregarious nature, ferrets typically desire a companion. They can live in small groups as well; ideally, they should have neutered male and female littermates. Nevertheless, they still like socializing with people and being in stimulating environments.
Maintaining a single ferret is only advised if directed so by an animal behaviorist or veterinarian. If left alone, ferrets should be played with frequently as they can become depressed and lonely and may exhibit behavioral issues find it difficult to mix with other ferrets later in life.
Ferrets can also become friends with other household pets, like dogs and cats if you introduce them carefully, but they should always be supervised if playing together.
Ferrets sleep when?
Because they are crepuscular, they can sleep for up to 20 hours a day and are naturally active at dawn and dusk.
Are ferrets olfactory?
Yes, ferrets do have a slight scent. Male ferrets who aren’t neutered have an extremely potent scent that many find overwhelming. Additionally, their coats may feel oily or sticky.
Your ferret can interact socially with other male ferrets, have a less oily coat, and have a milder odor after being neutered.
Maintaining your ferret
What purchases are necessary for my ferret?
Ferrets require:
• Appropriate housing
• Appropriate blankets, hammocks, and bedding
• Food
• Stainless steel or ceramic food dishes
• A bottle of water
• Platforms and tunnels
• Suitable clothing, a roof, or a fabric nest box
• Area for working out
• Toys to occupy their time
• Pack a case for veterinary visits.
In addition to the aforementioned, your ferrets require a steady supply of clean water. It could be a good idea to look into pet insurance.
Hutches and cages for ferrets
The majority of ferrets can survive either way. The tips below will help you keep your ferret happy, healthy, and safe, no matter where you decide to keep them.
Ferrets should reside where?
Ferrets can be kept as indoor pets, but they prefer to live outside due to their pungent odor. There are many different housing options available, but always get the largest enclosure possible to give them lots of space to play and exercise.
Two ferrets will require:
• Housing that is two meters (six feet) high, two meters (six feet) broad, and at least three meters long (10 feet)
• A well-insulated bedroom big enough for them to cuddle up together or sleep apart if desired
• Lots of toys and enrichment materials to keep kids occupied
• Their hutch should be protected from the sun, weather, and drafts.
• Strong wire or bars should be utilized for the hutch, and the gaps between them too small for ferrets to fit their heads through. You can buy special wooden hutch-type enclosures with built in runs.
• If they are kept indoors you can use tall ferret cages, like those available for chinchillas, with solid platforms and multiple levels.
Bedding for ferrets
Newspaper and wood shavings should be used to line the floor, and bedding can be either high-quality hay or shredded paper.
In addition, fleece blankets, hammocks, and fabric nesting boxes are frequently used by ferret owners as bedding options because they are less messy and more comfortable.
How frequently should I clean the housing on my ferret?
Daily cleaning of the litter pans and minimum weekly cleaning of the ferret’s housing are recommended.
Food is something that ferrets will conceal, so while cleaning them out, make sure to remove it to prevent mold growth.
In what ways may I potty train my ferret?
Even with litter training, accidents may still happen from time to time with ferrets. Training with litter will make it much simpler to keep their accommodation clean.
A high-sided, corner litter tray is best but you can also used a cat litter tray. Fill them with wood shavings or unscented cat litter. It’s generally best to place the litter tray where your ferret likes to go to the toilet rather than put it where you want it to be, as they’ll be more likely to use it!
SAFEGUARDING YOUR FERRET
Preventing ferrets from getting away
Ferrets are excellent at getting away through tiny openings and they enjoy digging. Wire mesh can be added to the underside of outdoor runs to keep them from vanishing, but in order to minimize injuries, this should be covered with carpet or turf. It’s also a good idea to bolt hutch doors.
Wintertime warmth for ferrets
Ferrets have trouble adjusting to abrupt temperature changes. Therefore, it’s crucial to refrain from abruptly altering their surroundings, such as bringing them inside at night and back outside during the day. Alternatively, you can: to keep them warm.
Supplying blankets for their beds
If they have played in the water, towel them off or the snow.
Adding another barrier to the outside of the cage or run to weather-proof it (make sure that there’s still enough ventilation)
Using heat mats suitable for pets
Keeping kids cool during the summer
Ferrets dislike harsh weather, especially when it’s hotter than 26 degrees Celsius. They can become ill or even die in temperatures higher than 30 degrees Celsius. Here are some suggestions for keeping your ferret cool in the summertime.
Give them a lot of water.
Ensure that throughout the day, their housing and run are in the shade.
To control the temperature, add fans, freezer blocks, or bottles of frozen water. Just make sure that any cords are securely out of reach of your ferrets.
Only take your ferret for walks in the early morning or late evening, when the weather is at its coolest, much like you would with a dog.
Give them a swimming area. Make careful to paddle extremely shallowly pool so they can touch the bottom, as not all ferrets will paddle.
Know the signs of heatstroke including panting and collapsing. If you suspect that your ferret has heatstroke, speak to your vet immediately.
Fireworks and ferrets
Ferrets are sensitive to loud noises, such as bangs and whizzes from pyrotechnics, just like other small creatures. When fireworks are more prevalent, like on Bonfire Night or New Year’s Eve, you can perform the following:
If at all possible, move them and their housing inside.
More bedding will allow your ferret to burrow below.
As much as you can, try to cover their cage to keep the airflow open. As a result, the sounds they can hear will be reduced.
Making your house ferret-proof
• You must ensure that your ferrets are safe to run around your house before allowing them to.
• To prevent chewing, all cables need to have a protective covering through them, causing injury to themselves or a fire
• House plants should be removed as they may be poisonous
• Keep any cleaning products or medicines out of reach
Playing with your ferrets
Every day, ferrets should be exercised in a big run or around the house. They may be trained to walk on a lead and harness as well.
Ferret exercise in your house
Make sure to remove any possibly dangerous items from the house before letting your ferret go free.
Although they can consume things they shouldn’t, ferrets enjoy putting objects in their mouths and aren’t naturally chewers. This implies that they could ingest tiny items, like rubber, and clog their intestines as a result.
Taking your ferrets for walks
Some ferrets will like taking walks with you because they are highly energetic and curious animals. It will take some time to acclimate them to the experience of wearing a harness and lead.
You’ll need the following to walk them:
• A specialized ferret harness with two parts that click together, resembling a dog harness but considerably smaller
• A lead
• To ensure they get acclimated to being lifted and handled
Considerations for taking your ferret for walks
• It is imperative that their harness be tight to prevent them from escaping from it.
• You will have to watch them closely at all times.
• In public, if they aren’t accustomed to being picked up or meeting new people
• Watch out for dogs and pick your ferret up if you can see a dog in the distance – it’s always better to be safe
