First Class Ferrets Care

Caring for your new ferret can quickly become more than a hand full! I’ts imparative that you learn the basics of ferret care before attempting to intruduce your new pet ferret to it’s new home. The more you learn about caring for your ferret the happier you and your new pet will be!

Ferrets care can be extensive for a small pet. From training and exercise, bedding and litter, grooming to babysitting, the furry creatures are fairly “high maintenance.” More than cats and most dogs. As with kittens and puppies, these rambunctious creatures require intensive training at first. Very demanding when they’re awake, these bubbly furballs can’t be ignored. They need at least four hours a day of regular exercise, including two hours of quality human contact.

High Energy Whirlwinds

Ferrets are smart and extremely inquisitive, which results in boundless mischievousness—and a great potential for misfortune. Their slinky size, hyperactivity, and big personality can make them more than a handful for any owner. It’s advisable to monitor your fireball while at play since these feisty critters have a habit of getting into things you never thought they could! While this is can be fun for you and your sprite, it can often lead to trouble if you aren’t around. For example, a ferret’s sky-high metabolism and frenzied energy makes it prone to sudden illnesses and accidents.

Ferret Be Chillin’

On other hand, the Good News is that most of the time ferrets don’t require either human or animal company for security or amusement. They go to sleep when nothing exciting is going on, and wake up whenever a person comes to entertain them—or to be entertained by them. They’re perfect pets for people who go to work early in the morning and come home in the evening. These amiable creatures don’t become neurotic—as some other house pets do—when left alone for extended periods of time. They don’t need any outdoor exercise. And being indoor pets that use a litter box, they don’t require daily walks in the park. Because they can be caged, these amiable critters are kept from damaging the house while their owners are gone.

Watch Your Wallet!

Owning a ferret is somewhat costly. The purchase price is the least expense that will be incurred by the owner of a ferret, whether your precocious bundle is obtained as a baby from a pet shop or private breeder, or as an adult from a shelter. Owners must provide adequate housing, food, exercise, and veterinary care of ferret. These pint-size pets don’t eat much, so food and litter aren’t a huge expense. But there are treats and hairball remedies, plus the annual vet checkups and vaccinations.

Ferrets don’t suffer from many serious diseases early in life. But without yearly vaccination, they can get canine distemper, which is fatal. Vaccination against rabies is needed to protect you, your family and your ferret. Older ferrets become susceptible to several types of cancer. Also you should be prepared to pay for at least one $300 vet visit in each ferret’s 6 to 10-year lifetime, from its getting sick, being in an accident, or eating something that doesn’t go down well!

Watch for Warnings

As with all animals, ferrets can become hurt or ill. With proper training, nutrition, grooming and exercise, many of these problems can be avoided. Wise care of ferret will keep your bouncy buddy in the best of conditions—and reduce the chances of disease and injury. Always pay attention to your pet’s actions and moods for signs of problems. If your normally active explorer is sluggish or acting unusual for a few days, consider having it checked out by the vet.

Brush Away the Blues!

Proper grooming and maintenance are also vital for a happy, healthy ferret. Ferrets are naturally clean animals. They groom their hair coat and keep it clean and tidy themselves. However, bathing too often can actually cause a dry hair coat and dry skin conditions. Brush your ferret lightly on occasion to keep its coat looking healthy.

Protect Your Pad—and Your Pet!

It’s not safe for either your fuzzball—or your home—to turn your thrill-seeking playmate loose in the average house without some ferret-proofing. These audacious critters have a “gift” for getting into everything and anything in your home! It’s not unusual to find these clever gremlins somewhere you never thought an animal could get. What they lack in size and jumping power, they make up for in curiosity and persistence.

You can’t be home monitoring your amusing adventurer all the time. When it’s necessary to confine your pets, they should be kept in a cage–or ferret-proofed room—large enough to allow separate sleeping, eating, litter, and play areas. Ferrets need a lot of space for such small animals since they’re very active. Though they do sleep a lot, they also need ample room to play and exercise when you’re not around. This drastically reduces the risks of injury, escape and digestive-tract blockages from swallowing indigestible objects.