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phone:   (608) 423-3315
fax:        (608) 423-9575
mail:      PO Box 3
              Cambridge, WI
              53523-0003          
email:             ferretnook@ferretnook.org

 

 

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Ferret Care Tips

 

•  Find a ferret knowledgeable veterinarian before you need one.

•  Ferrets nails should be clipped and ears should be cleaned every 2 weeks.

•  It is recommended to weigh your ferret every month.

•  Palpate (go over your ferret carefully with your hands) your ferret every week, checking for lumps, bumps or anything abnormal.

•  Bathe no more than once per month. Use a commercial pet shampoo made specifically for ferrets. Using shampoo for other animals can cause dry skin.

•  Feed a high quality ferret diet, such as Totally Ferret. A diet containing 36% protein and 22% fat for ferrets up to 4 years of age should be fed. After 4, place on a maintenance diet which contains less protein and fat, such as Totally Ferret for older ferrets.

•  Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Ferrets like water out of bowls rather than bottles. So, when ferrets are out to play, give them a bowl of water. In their cage, it's best to use water bottles because ferrets can knock over the bowl when you're gone and not have access to water.

•  Water bottles and dishes for food and water should be cleaned regularly. This can be done at the same time bedding is changed.

•  To treat hair ball problems, use a laxative (Petromalt, Cat Lax, Lax-Aire, etc.) Every 3 day. Administer a 1/4-inch ribbon. During shedding season (Fall and Spring), offer the laxative daily until shedding is complete.

•  Ferrets should be caged at night and when not being supervised by their owner. For one ferret a cage that measures 24" x 24" x 18" would be sufficient. You should have bedding material such as old sweatshirts, t-shirts, sleep sacks, hammocks, etc. in the cage along with a water bottle, food dish, and litter pan. Use bedding material that can be cleaned at least every five days to keep the musky odor down. The type of litter that we have found to work best for us is hardwood pellets, but any pelleted-type litter will work well.. Scoopable litters are not safe for ferrets. They might ingest the litter and get it lodged in their intestinal tract causing a possible blockage and death.

•  Latex or rubber toys are hazardous to ferrets. They can chew small pieces off and ingest them causing a partial or complete blockage. This can be fatal to a ferret. Toys such as hard baby rattles, bell balls, Nyla-bones, ping pong balls, practice golf balls, grocery sacks (paper), cardboard boxes, leaching pipe, etc. are good toys. Ferrets, like children, sometimes enjoy playing in the packaging a toy comes in more than the toy itself. Of course, we all know that the ferret's human is the best toy of all.

•  Colds (rhinovirus) cannot be given to your ferret, but flu viruses and sinus infections can be transmitted from owner to ferret and vise-versa. Symptoms are the same as humans. Treatment is same as humans. Since they are viruses, rest, plenty of fluids and TLC is the fastest way to recovery. If you are concerned about slow recovery, check with your veterinarian.

•  Foreign Bodies: Please, please keep small objects away from your ferret. A ferret can die within 24 hours of being blocked if the foreign body isn't removed surgically.
 

 

 

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