There’s an old saying that says, “Curiosity killed the cat.” It’s a phrase that fits perfectly into ferrets. They are animals with the highest accident mortality rate. This is an important reason why the animal expert developed this article with frequent accident situations occurring with domestic ferrets.
Then you can learn about the basic and common care of the ferret, but also about special care. Everything you need to know about basic ferret care is here.
Don’t forget to tell if you also have a ferret, we want to know your experience!
The ferret, like any other pet, requires the attention and control of a competent veterinarian. It is convenient for this professional to be a ferret specialist and be accustomed to the problems experienced by these exotic animals.
The veterinarian should administer the appropriate vaccines and control the vitamin or food deficit that the ferret may have. It is also essential to castrate the animal.
It is very important to understand that we cannot have a ferret (or any other animal) without the basic veterinary services, and they are not cheap! Keep this in mind before adopting a ferret.
It is essential to keep our ferret’s cage clean. It is a prophylactic way to prevent possible diseases in ferrets and also to make sure that your home does not smell to zoo.
It is important that cleaning utensils are specific to the care of the ferret. The collection padel racket, rags, sponge, gloves and any utensils used to clean the cage are best for this purpose.
You should use fragrance-free detergents, cage disinfectants and remove odors. The cleaning frequency of the cage will depend on the dirt of the ferret, but once a week is the usual rule.
It is very practical to educate the ferret to do his needs in cat sand. It’s not easy, but it’s possible!
during the summer, ferrets are prone to heatstroke. This is a serious episode that needs to be dealt with immediately, or even include the necessary elements to prevent this from happening.
The ferret does not have the thermoregulatory capacity of other species. To protect yourself from heatstroke, you need to surround yourself with elements that refresh your environment. A bottle of ice water near your cage can be a good remedy. The fountain must always be full.
The ferret will thank you very much for spraying it with water during the warmest seasons. A damp cloth in the cage can also relieve intense heat.
The ferret is a carnivorous animal, so its food must be rich in animal protein. This animal protein intake should be between 40 and 45% of your total diet. Animal fat should be between 15 and 20%. Fiber is also needed and should be around 4%, so you’ll avoid digestive problems.
Vitamins are important. The veterinarian may recommend the best and should indicate the best food for your ferret. There are specific quality rations for ferrets on the market, so it will be easier for you to keep your diet balanced.
Ferrets need to rest in total darkness about 14 hours a day, due to the need to regenerate melatonin, an impossible process with light.
For the same reason, there must be a box with a small inner opening in its cage, although small, it should serve as a lair where the ferret can rest properly. Serious health changes may occur if photoperiod is not respected.
Home security is the Achilles heel of ferrets. We have to keep in mind that a ferret is a mustelid, and these species don’t know what fear is. If we add to this a curiosity that goes to infinity, we realize that our ferret can suffer multiple incidents and some accidents in his life.
Here are the most common places where ferrets have accidents
Many incidents and some fatal accidents occur in these places. If we look closely at the watch list, we have a lot in common so it can harm a baby in the kitten stage.
The most dangerous places for ferrets are:
As you can see, this list can be endless, so we recommend that you always take precautions to know where your ferret is.
If you would like to read articles similar to Basic Ferret Care, we recommend that you visit our Basic Care section.