Ferrets are unique animals that have eccentric qualities which may puzzle some pet owners. Why does a ferret try to nip on your toe or dig out your trash can? Without the proper knowledge and tools to care for ferrets, you could find yourself stressing out and not making progress with your pet.
Here I’ll talk about 10 essential tips every ferret owner should know. Having a ferret is different from having a dog or cat, but with the right care, it can be the most fun pet to have.
10. No fibers!
Starting off with a very basic tip, it’s important to not give your ferret any fibers. Ferrets can’t digest fibrous food, so this will damage their digestive tract and make them sick. Examples of fibrous food include rice, bread, and oats.
An alternative to fiber is a vitamin supplement designed specifically for ferrets. A good supplement will be high in taurine and fatty acids to make up for the health benefits that a ferret can’t get from fibers.
9. Diversify their diet at an early age
Ferrets imprint on their food at an early age. Which menas that when they’re very young (usually 6 months old) their body adapts to the food they’re eaten and welcomes it as the diet for the rest of its lifetime. As a result, it’s really hard to introduce new foods to an older ferret, as it will most likely reject them.
The solution is to include as much variety in their diet as you see fit, before they’re 6 months old. This will make them much more open to a wider variety of foods when they’re older.
8. ...But mainly stick to meat and protein
The majority of your ferret’s diet should be meat. Ferrets are true carnivores and they need meat to survive. This is where you can diversify and try out many different options such as chicken, beef, pork, turkey, etc. You can even go for other sources of high protein and low carbohydrates, such as egg yolks.
Packaged ferret food is a convenient and health option for many ferret owners like myself. Because ferrets have a delicate diet, you can more easily rely on the packaged ferret food to make sure your pet is getting the right nutrients.
7. Regular veterinary check-ups
Ferrets need to be vaccinated initially, and then they need regular check-ups at the vet. If your ferret is of under the age of 4, then a yearly check-up will suffice. If your ferret is above 4, then two check-ups per year will be necessary.
The ferret’s regular check-ups are to prevent the ferret from contracting common problems like fleas, insulinoma, dental decay.
6. Make sure the cage habitat is suitabe
Ferrets sleep anywhere from 14-18 hours a day, so it’s important to make sure they’re comfortable and safe while sleeping. Investing in a large enough cage is essential as your ferret will sometimes wake up and feel energetic and want to run around. Ferrets can sometimes also feel claustrophobic; one of their common behaviors is to back into a wall when feeling scared. Also make sure that the cage has a separate area for his litter.
Getting a hammock for your ferret cage can be a great idea because the fuzzy animal will relax even better. Plus, it looks really cute.
5. Do not leave children alone with ferrets
Ferrets can get pretty aggressive and they will nip or bite you or try to fip you over. While this is playful on their part, it can be hurtful towards children. Leaving your ferret alone with a child under 10 is not a good idea.
Regardless, you should make sure that your ferret is properly trained to not bite, which brings me to the next point.
4. Teach your ferret not to bite
There are many reasons a ferret may bite. He may be afraid, have poor etiquette, or is just curious to explore with their mouth. Either way, it’s a good skill to teach your ferret when to not bite because you never know when the bite can be painful.
Scruffing is the best and most widely used technique to control a ferret that’s biting. You gently lift up the ferret by the back of his neck and hold its mouth closed. This doesn’t hurt the ferret, and lets him know that you’re dominant and that his behavior was wrong.
3. Get the right feeding containers
Your ferret will likely make a mess with his food, because ferrets are wild and energetic. The key is to get the feeding containers that best suit the ferret. You will need to get some non-spill dishes. And while the ferret is eating, put a kitchen towel underneath the dish to catch any residual food.
The right kind of water bottle will ensure that he doesn’t spill as much and can easily drink from it.
2. Keep the hygiene on-point
Eugene has lots to offer dog visitors there are 12 pet friendly hotels there including the Best Western Greentree Inn, which your dog is sure to love. There are two friendly dog attractions in Oregon that include Candlelight Park and also Alton Baker off Leash Area. There is one dog friendly hiking trail in Oregon and that’s Mount Pisgah Trail and this is a 7.8 mile hike that will take you roughly 2.5 hours to complete. It’s a beautiful, scenic trail that you will both enjoy. There are 5 off leash dog parks in Eugene including Alton Baker Park off leash area, Candlelight Park, Armitage Dog Park, Wayne Morse Family Farm and also Amazon Dog Park.
Ferrets sometimes have a putrid smell on their underbelly, much like skunks, so you may need to have your ferret sprayed if he already isn’t sprayed.
1. Lastly, spends loads of time with your ferret!
Because ferrets are only awake for a few hours each day, this is your time to have fun playing with your ferret and forging a strong relationship. This is no doubt the most enjoyable part about having a ferret as they make great playmates. People love to do various activities with their ferrets, such as playing catch, playing with toys, running, dancing, or coming up with their own game.
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