|
Find a Ferret
Breeder
Place an Ad |
|
Rescue a Ferret
List Your Rescue |
|
Type |
A ferret is a small, warm
blooded mammal in the weasel family (mustelidae). Ferrets are long in body with
short legs. There are two kinds of ferrets--the domestic ferret and the
black-footed ferret. The domestic ferret is the type widely kept as a pet.
Domestic ferrets vary in color from white to nearly black usually with a dark
mask and tail. Black-footed ferrets have dull yellow fur that is slightly darker
on the back. Black-footed ferrets have black feet, black tail tips, and black
fur around the eyes. The scientific name for the domestic ferret is Mustela
putorius furo and black-footed ferret is M. nigripes. |
|
Temperament |
Ferrets are amusing to watch and
quite playful and mischievous. Intelligent predictable with mellow temperaments.
They will often times take things they see laying around the house and hide
them. While roaming around your house they will climb into any tight spot they
can fit themselves into. They will probe every possible nook and cranny so
ferret-proofing a room or the whole house is a challenge. They do not make a
whole lot of noise. Ferrets enjoy any attention their humans can give them. Take
them out of their cage and let them explore your home and they will often get
silly and start bouncing around like Pooh's friend Tigger! Ferrets like to play
and should be provided with toys such as plastic tubes, cardboard boxes and
balls connected to a string. Small toys and thin rope-like objects should be
kept out of reach because young ferrets may try and eat them. Ferrets tend to be
highly animated for short periods of play activity and then will lapse into a
deep sleep. Once asleep they are hard to wake up. Similar to a cat, ferrets
rarely ever bite as long as they were handled by humans from a young age and
they enjoy being pet. On nice sunny days the ferrets cage can be places outside
for the ferret to enjoy some sun and fresh air. Two or three ferrets do well
living together. They can either be kept in a large cage or allowed to roam free
around the house like a cat. Some owners keep their ferrets in a cage most of
the time giving them daily supervised outings to roam free around the house.
Ferrets are born with scent glands which are used as the animals natural self
defense. These glands can have a strong odor and are usually removed from pet
ferrets kept as pets. They will still have a somewhat musky odor from other skin
glands. Ferrets are nearsighted but they make up for their site with their good
sense of hearing and smell. |
|
Size |
22-25 inches (56-64 centimeters)
long (including the tail)
Males are lager than females. Male ferrets weigh approximately two-thirds more
than females. |
|
Housing |
Ferrets are often kept in wire
mess 3 level cages that are about 42" x 31" x 55" providing a sleeping area, an
eating area and a waste area. Clean linen should be provided for sleeping.
Ferrets like to snuggle up inside the linen to sleep, so be sure the linen is
large enough to allow the ferret to get under it. For example an old large clean
shirt or a small blanket. Ferrets also enjoy lunging on a hammock. You an make a
hammock by tying a piece of an old sheet to the sides of the cage for the ferret
to climb into. They need to be provided with a litter pan to do their business.
A litter pan with a high corner back is recommended to keep the waste inside the
pan. Ferrets will most certainly enjoy any tubes or tunnels you can add to their
cage, however be careful when adding the tubes to make sure they are securely
attached because ferrets are great escape artist! |
|
Clean-up |
Ferrets can be trained to use
litter boxes |
|
Grooming |
Ferrets are fairly clean animals
and do not require a lot of grooming. They can be brushed occasionally. If they
get dirty you can give them a bath. Another alternative to bathing is sprinkling
a powder such as talcum, cornflower, or chalk powder on the coat and brush
it off. Nails must be kept trimmed. The ears should be checked for any signs of
parasite; a ferret can get the same kinds of ear parasites as cats and dogs.
Teeth should be checked on a regular basis for signs of sore gums or clumps of
food which can be wiped away. Getting your ferret used to you looking at his
teeth will make it easier for you to give your ferret a pill if you ever need to
do so. You can also brush your ferrets teeth with a toothpaste made for dogs. |
|
Feeding |
Like cats, ferrets are strict
carnivores. Although they will accept a somewhat varied diet in captivity, they
should be fed primarily meat. They do not digest carbohydrates or roughage well.
Ferrets can be fed ferret food from a pet supply store or a good quality cat
food. Ferret food is more expensive then cat food but does provide exactly what
the ferret needs in its diet. However a good quality cat food can also be fed
and is almost the same thing as ferret food. Dry and can can both be fed. You can give your ferret leftover
fully cooked meats from time to time as a tasty treat. Fish that is not oily can also be fed from time to time. Ferrets tend to
eat less in hot weather. Ferrets have a high metabolism and like to eat several times a day. Water should always be provided in a gravity driven hanging water
bottle such as the bottles used for rabbits. |
| Exercise |
A ferret can not be let outside
to roam free. They cannot be trained like a dog will most likely not come
back. Because ferrets are not territorial. They are excellent escape artists,
and will wander off and become lost. They can however be fitted into a
small harness and will most enjoy going for a walk on a leash. |
| Life Expectancy |
About 6-8 years |
|
Health Problems |
Ferrets are subject to getting
the same diseases as a dog can contact. Therefore it is important to get a
ferret its necessary shots. They are also prone to adrenal gland disease, lymphoma, and pancreatic tumors. Young ferrets often eat foreign objects and
become obstructed. |
|
Gestation |
Ferrets are able to breed when
they are only 5 to 6 month old. In the United States, almost all pet ferrets are
neutered. This is generally done while the pets are very young (4-6 weeks of
age). |
| Origin |
The domestic ferret is a
descendant of the European polecat, which was once found throughout Europe. The
black-footed ferret is native to western North America and is a wild animal that is on the endangered species list. Male ferrets are called
“hobs” while female ferrets are called “jills” and baby ferrets are called kits. |
