If you want to get a new ferret, it’ll probably be a baby.  This article will tell you what you need to know about caring for ferrets, particularly baby ferret care.  

Baby ferrets, like most mammals, need a lot of care. Baby ferrets are able to leave their mothers at 6 weeks of age, but in place they need to get the proper attention and care from us in order to ensure a long happy healthy life.

Knowledge on how to care for baby ferrets should be acquired before the ferrets are born. The female ferret, also known as a jill, should not be handled while she is giving birth. Handling a birthing female ferret is dangerous to her young, and she may become hostile, placing you at risk.

Ferrets typically have a litter made up of about seven or eight babies, also known as kits. The kits are born blind and are practically hairless with a pink complexion. They spend the first part of their lives eating, sleeping, and growing. It only takes about twenty days for the kits’ color to darken and soon after their eyes begin to open.

Finally, reaching six weeks of age they are able to leave their mothers. By seven weeks of age your baby ferret should get their first series of vaccinations, and consider having them de-scented and fixed.

A kit must be weaned off their old diet. So when you obtain your new baby ferret, you should ask the breeder which brand of food they have been eating before you consider switching. If you decide to use the same brand food, you should soak the food in warm water for five or ten minutes before offering it to the baby ferret.

If you are switching the ferret food, you must purchase the old brand and gradually introduce the new food to their diet. At one point in time, ferrets used to eat cat food but now there is high-quality ferret food available.

Ferrets, especially during infancy, need a higher quality of protein in their diet, which cat food does not offer. Which every food you choose, you should make sure that it contains at least 35% protein and 20% fat. Balanced fats like poultry fat is a better blend of essential fatty acids is better for baby ferrets.

Baby ferrets should have water at all times and it should be changed once a day. Your baby ferret should be housed in a large clean ferret specific cage so that they are comfortable, safe and have plenty of room to move about. A ferret cage provides ample room for safe play, being that they are very active. Avoid metal bottom cages, as they corrode easily, and if you purchase plastic coated wire, make sure your baby ferret is not chewing on it.

Baby ferrets need places to hide. They like soft padding to burrow and sleep in. Bedding should be checked to make sure they are not eating it, as this will cause a block in their intestinal track. Baby ferrets require lots of attention and love; they are very active and need to be properly cared when they are babies in order for them to live a safe and long life.  If you do all these things, while learning everything you can to be a great ferret owner, your new baby ferret will enjoy having you as it’s owner.  

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Caring for a new, baby ferret is critical, because your ferret is in the developmental stages of it’s life.  In this article, you’ll discover what you need to know about caring for the new ferret…

You’ve researched a number of possible household pets, and have decided that the ferret is the right one. They are an endearing addition to anyone’s life and to your home. These amazing creatures can be trained to use a litter box just like cats. But before you let your new ferret run around your house free, you’ll have to take a few precautions.

To begin with, it’s obvious that you should never let a new animal loose in your home. Let it get acquainted with its surroundings from the protection and comfort of its cage for as long as it takes until you consider letting it room free throughout your home.

You will also need to teach your new ferret how to use a litter box as well. Depending on your ferret and how much time you devote to litter training most ferrets end up using the litter box about 75% of the time.

There are ferrets that will use the litter box every time but, with most, you might find a “present” in the house from time to time. Litter box training can take several hours a day for several months. The more attention you devote to it, the more likely you will have a litter box trained ferret.

The best way to start litter box training is to allow your ferret to run around a small room like a bathroom first. Typically, ferrets will go within a few minutes of waking up or after they eat. So, when your ferret first wakes up, put it in the litter box. Don’t let it out until it has gone to the bathroom. Once it has gone, immediately give it a treat. The object is to try to get it associated with going in the litter box, then receiving a treat.

You should never physically punish a ferret for any reason, especially if they have an accident in the house. Using physical punishment will only make them fear you and they will not associate what they did with that kind of punishment.

If you would like your ferret to be able to run around the house, you will have to be prepared to do a little cleaning up after them as well. Something else you will need to do before you ferret is allowed to run free is to “ferret proof” your home.

Ferret proofing means making your home safe for a ferret. They are small and curious creatures. They will find their way into small spaces. A good rule of thumb is that if their head will fit into a space, their bodies will too. Start to ferret proof by first crawling around your home on your hands and knees to look for small holes, crevices, loose ventilation covers, etc. You need to check every room your ferret will soon be exploring themselves.  In relation to ferret proofing your home, here are 2 more tips to keep in mind:

• Don’t forget to include appliances in checking for small holes or places that ferrets can get inside of. Because ferrets are curious creatures that are extremely good climbers, anything can be a potential “play area” for ferrets. Ferrets will be able to get up into some types of refrigerators and could potentially get hurt on the fan. The dryer tubing looks like a really fun tube for a ferret. They can rip a hole in it and get outside through the vent.

• Couches can also be potentially dangerous for ferrets. Some couches have thin fabric lining underneath that ferrets can easily get through and up inside of the couch to the springs. Some ferret owners would love to have their ferrets to be able to get extra exercise by running around their homes. But, the most important thing for your new ferret is for you to be able to offer your ferret a safe place to run.

If you’re mindful of the information in this article, and learn as much as you can about caring for ferrets, your ferrets will live a long, happy life with you.

This article addresses a number of things you should know before you celebrate bringing your ferret home.

First, you must choose a home for your ferret. Keep in mind this is the place your ferret will spend most of their time and it should be a comfortable safe place. There are multiple choices of ferret cages, make sure there is enough room for your ferret to run around in. Make sure there are no gaps in the levels because this may catch your ferret and hurt it. The cage should always have soft bedding, so that your ferret is comfortable and does not hurt itself. Plastic bottom cages are easy to clean; metal bottoms rust and look dingy after multiple washings.

It is important if you buy plastic coated metal so that your ferret is not chewing the coating off, because this can cause intestinal blockages. Make sure the cage has multi layers, and large doors. Larges door ensures your ferret will not get stuck when it’s trying to get out.

Also, purchase a sleeping sacks and hammocks the more areas your ferret has to sleep the more comfortable and happy they are. Remember ferrets sleep 15- 20 hours a day on average. Remember: your ferret needs to spend two hours a day outside their cage.

Think about ferret proofing a room so they do not get hurt. Your ferret will also need toys, but be careful in what you purchase; some toys can place your ferret’s life at risk. Make sure toys are durable, since ferrets have sharp teeth. Cat toys are wonderful for ferrets.

Stay away from foam or plastic toys, as they are easily destroyed. Do not leave toys in the cage if you are not supervising, because if your ferret damages a toy and eats the piece it can result in an obstruction and it will need to be surgically removed.

Ferrets are part of the Mustelid family, so they do have an odor to them, it is best that you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have your ferret neutered and de-scented. Often both procedures can be done at the same time.

When your ferret is home make sure you follow the veterinarian’s aftercare instructions to ensure your ferret’s health. Your ferret also needs vaccinations and regular exams. Most kits have only had their first series of shots, you should make sure you are aware of when they received their shots, and continue the series.

After the first series of distemper shots are finished your ferret will only need the shot annually. Ferrets also need their booster vaccination.

The type of food you feed your ferret is important make sure it is either high quality cat food or a ferret food that is not made from frozen meat. You should find out what brand food the ferret has been eating before you bring it home.

If you choose to switch brands you must wean the ferret off the old food. Mix a small amount of the new food in with the old food and gradually increase the portion of new food daily until the ferret becomes used to the new taste.

Snacks for ferrets are not necessary and can cause many future health problems. If you choose to feed your ferret a snack, healthy options are cook eggs and meat. Feeding your ferret sugary treats will only harm them.

Bringing your ferret home takes a lot of preparation but it will ensure the safety and health of your furry little friend.  Click here to learn more about ferret care.  

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