Pet Insurance / Kids & Pets 

   Companion Animal Parasite Council / Wagging Tails Pet Sitting Service 

Ferrets

Some Ferret History / Safety Tips 

  The ferret is a domesticated animal that has been used for both rodent control and hunting small mammals.  They are related to the European polecat (weasel), skunks, minks, otters and badgers.  Ferrets make good pets because of their playful nature and their affinity for people.  It is estimated that there are 8-10 million pet ferrets in the United States making them the third most popular pet after dogs and cats.
  Generally ferrets live from 7-10 years of age but are considered geriatric at 4 years.  They will reach their adult weight by 4-5 months but they may seasonally gain weight in the fall and lose 30-40 percent of their weight each spring.  They are considered highly intelligent and can be quickly taught what they may or may not do.
  They are very curious and can squeeze through very small openings.  It is essential that you ferret-proof  your house before getting a ferret.  Check the bottoms of cabinets, openings around plumbing, air conditioning vents, and insure that all  window screens are secured well, to prevent the ferret from falling out.  Other ferret hazards are reclining chairs, sofa beds, refrigerators, falling through openings between the rungs of a railing along a balcony or stairs, and getting into laundry baskets and consequently ending up in the washing machine or dryer.

Housing - Living Environment

• Temperature - Require moderate temperatures 50- 80F.  Ferrets easily overheat above 80F - make sure their cage is out of direct sunlight.
• Bedding - Towels, ferret hammocks, pvc tubes, sleeping bags.   Laundering 2-3 times a week will keep odors under control.
  - Do not use scented dryer sheets with the ferret's laundry as they can be very irritating to the ferret's sensitive nose.
  - Avoid wood shavings ( including cedar, pine or chlorinated shavings)
• Cage - Ferrets like to climb, so wire cages with ramps, ladders and multiple levels are ideal.
  - Also multiple cages connected by pvc pipes make life more interesting for the confined ferret, too.
• Litter Box - Ferrets can be trained to use litter boxes both in their cage and around the house.
  - Clay, rabbit pellets and paper products are best.
  - Avoid clumping litter due to the risk of digestive obstructions known to occur in ferrets.

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Diet - Feeding Your Ferret Correctly

Ferrets are carnivores ( meat eaters), and require high protein and high fat diets.  Because of their short digestive tracts and intestinal anatomy - they do not digest carbohydrates, fiber or plant proteins well.

• Ferret Pellets - Preferred diet for ferrets - balanced and formulated for ferrets.  Available at pet stores or by mail order. 
• Kitten Diets - Premium-meat based kitten foods only ( Iams or Nutrimax ) can be fed but are not balanced for ferrets and are lower in fat and protein compared to ferret diets.
   Grocery store brands of kitten diets and plant-based proteins  ( indigestible ) are high in carbohydrates, low in fat and have high fiber content.  They are inappropriate and harmful to ferrets.  They may lead to nutritional starvation even though the ferret is eating.
• Adult Cat Diets - Inappropriate for all except obese ferrets.  Too low in protein and fat, too high in fiber.
  - Occasionally used to control weight in obese ferrets under close veterinary supervision.
• Water - Sipper bottles are preferred.
  - No-tip bowls can be used but ferrets may play in them.
• Treats and Supplements - Commercial ferret treats are available at pet stores or by mail order.
  - Ferretone, Pounce or other cat treats, yogurt, dried or fresh bananas, occasional cereal treats such as cheerios ( but not digested well ).
  - Avoid chocolate, fruits, breads, and vegetables.

Preventative Care

Vaccines

• Canine Distemper - Fatal easily transmissible virus.
  - Vaccinate ferrets at 8, 12, 16 weeks and then yearly.
  - Do not use dog vaccines on ferrets - they can be fatal ! And contain other viruses that ferrets are not susceptible to. Only use approved ferret distemper vaccine
• Rabies - Vaccinate at 12 weeks then yearly
  - Best if given separately from ferret distemper vaccine to decrease the risk of a vaccine reaction.

- Occur more frequently in ferrets than in other domesticated animals.
- Can range from facial swelling to vomiting, diarrhea or death if not treated.
- We recommend spending 20-30 minutes at the office after each vaccination to observe for a reaction.
- Please notify the veterinarian before vaccination if your ferret has had previous vaccine reactions.  Pre-medication before vaccination is often helpful and is recommended for ferrets that have had vaccine reactions previously.  It is not recommended without a previous history of vaccine reactions.
- Also administering vaccines separately, allowing at least several days to one week between vaccines, will help reduce the risk of a reaction.
- EXPERTS DO NOT RECOMMEND AVOIDING VACCINES AS AN ALTERATIVE TO VACCINE REACTIONS.  Distemper in ferrets is almost always fatal whereas vaccine reactions can be treated and very few are fatal when treatment is begun early in the vaccine reaction.

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Exercise

Exercise periods of at least 2 hours per day are recommended.  Always supervise the ferret's play period.  All ferrets are active, playful and curious and are prone to chew and eat things that may obstruct their digestive tract.  Also, do not exercise your ferret with rabbits, rodents or birds since ferrets are natural predators of these species.

Bathing

Weekly to twice weekly bathing will help control the ferret's natural musky body odor.  Ferret shampoos are preferred but kitten or cat shampoos are also appropriate.
Do not  use human or flea shampoos as these can be harmful to the ferret's delicate skin.

Elective Surgery

• Descenting - Is a surgical removal of the scent glands.  It is done at a very young age ( at the same time as neutering ) by the breeder before the ferret is sold to the pet store.  The surgery reduces the natural odor of the ferret's scent glands.  If you purchased your ferret directly from a private breeder you may want to have this procedure done when your ferret reaches 6 months of age.
• Neutering Males - Male ferrets sold though pet stores are neutered at 6-8 weeks of age by the breeder before being sold to the pet store.  Neutering reduces the natural body odor from the ferret and helps with population control.  If you purchased your ferret from a private breeder, he should be neutered ( and descented ) when he reaches 6 months of age. 
• Spaying Females - They should be spayed prior to their first heat.  Virtually all pet store female ferrets are spayed by the breeder at 6-8 weeks of age before they are sold to the pet stores.  A female that is not spayed will come into "heat" the spring after she was born.  If she is not spayed or bred she will continue to cycle until she's bred or for 2-6 months from the starting date of her heat cycle.  At this time she may become very weak and may die due to the lack of red blood cells in her body or  other complications including infections.  If your female ferret is not spayed or you purchased your female directly from a private breeder, you should spay her at 6 months of  age to prevent her from coming into heat.

Geriatric Ferrets

Ferrets are considered geriatric at 4 years of age.  Geriatric care should include an annual or semiannual physical exam, vaccinations, complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistries and a urinalysis.
Any change in appetite ( increase or decrease), urination or activity level should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Common Medical Problems

• Digestive Problems ( Foreign Bodies) - Common in young ferrets ( less than 2 years old ) but can occur in any age ferret.
  Symptoms can be vomiting, lethargy, weight loss, decreased appetite and weakness.  Surgery is required to remove a foreign body.  Older ferrets may get obstructed from hairballs, objects or cancerous growths.
• Diarrhea - Most commonly due to inappropriate diet ( high carbohydrate, high fiber ) or ingestion of foreign objects.
  Infectious causes include bacteria, viruses and, rarely, parasites.  Campylobacter and Chlostridial bacteria are transmissible to people.  The most contagious diarrhea in ferrets is viral - ECE or Epizootic Catapphal Enteritis.  It can be very debilitating or fatal to your ferret - so get your ferret treated promptly.
• Ear Mites - Common in young ferrets.  Very uncomfortable but easily treated - see your veterinarian for proper medication and ear care.
• Fleas - In general, powders and sprays appropriate for kittens are safe to use but some of the new spot on flea products, although not licensed for ferrets, can be safely used.  The over the counter spot on flea products are not safe and can be very harmful at any dose.  See your veterinarian for recommendations of what is safe and what not to do.
  Ferret wipes for flea control are safe and can provide temporary relief to a flea infestation.  

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Cancers

• Adrenal disease - Common in ferrets 3 years of age or older. Causes hair loss of the body, enlargement of the vulva in females, urinary obstructions in males, itchy skin. 

• Lymphosarcoma - A systemic (malignant) cancer of the lymph system.
  - Generally found in young to middle age ferrets.
  - Symptoms are enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss and diarrhea.
  - Very responsive to chemotherapy in the early stages. 

• Insulinoma - Common in ferrets 3 years of age or older.
  - Cancer of the pancreas that causes low blood sugar..
  - Leading to overall weakness especially of the rear legs. weight loss, seizures or coma.
  - Surgical and medical treatments are helpful. 

Safety Proof Your Home

1. Can squeeze through very small openings.
2. Bottoms of cabinets
3. Openings around plumbing
4. Air conditioning vents
5. Window screens secured
6. Reclining chairs
7. Sofa beds
8. Refrigerators
9. Falling through rungs of stairs and balcony.
10. Laundry baskets- Ending up in washer or dryer.