Protecting Your Pets

Three Tips For Ferret Owners

3 February 2017

Deanna Vasquez

Ferrets are adorable, playful mammals widely popular as pets. They have long, lithe bodies and necks, short legs, and keen, black eyes. If you are familiar weasels or mink, ferrets look much like those animals since they are biological relatives. There are many color varieties, but in general a ferret has a light-colored body with darker feet, tail-tip, and "mask" around the eyes. Ferrets are beloved pets because of they are playful, active, trainable, fairly easy to care for, and compared to many small pets, they live longer (between six and ten years). If you are considering getting a ferret, or if you have a ferret already, here are a few things to keep in mind for the well-being of your pet. 

Consider Multiple Ferrets 

Ferrets need company that they can play and spend time with. If you know you will be able to spend a lot of time with your ferret, then getting just one is fine. If you have less time to dedicate, however, it is best to get at least one other ferret so that they don't get lonely. Sometimes, ferrets can be aggressive with each other, so you will have to watch them closely at first to make sure they get along. Also be sure they have equally good room, toys, and bed areas, so they don't have a reason to fight. Your best bet is to buy a ferret with one or two of its siblings. This way, the ferrets may be more tolerant of each other's company.  

Invest in a Large Cage

Ferrets will need some time outside the cage to play and explore, but even so, much of their lives will be spent in the cage. Since ferrets are so playful, active, and intelligent, they need more room than some other animals their size. The best thing to do is buy a multi-story cage, where the floors are connected by ramps that are easy for the ferret to climb up and down. There are shorter three-story cages about a yard tall, as well as four- or five-story cages between five and six feet tall, and several sizes in between. A large cage is especially important if you own or plan to own more than one ferret. 

Take Your Ferret to the Vet

 Visits to the veterinarian are critically important for your ferrets. These little animals are prone to Canine Distemper Virus and must be vaccinated against it. Vaccinating your ferret against rabies is also necessary. If you own or plan to own more than one ferret, spaying and neutering them is essential. Males will behave aggressively with each other and with females unless they are neutered. If you have a male and a female, you should definitely "fix" them both, or they will breed very quickly. A veterinarian can also test your ferret for parasites in its body. Lastly, ferrets are known to come down with illnesses resembling colds and the flu, and stomach or digestive issues are also common. Your veterinarian will know how to help your ferret with any or all of these potential problems.

Contact a company like Animal House Veterinary Hospital for more info.

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