How do you know if a ferret is too skinny?

Answer 1

Ferrets vary greatly in body weight. Females can be from 700 to 1000 grams. while the males can be heavier (1000 to 1600).

If the ferret seems skinny and unhealthy:

• make sure it gets a a good high protein diet (ferret food, or raw meat)
• Check if it's teeth are damaged, as this can cause pain and make it eat less.
• bring it to a vet, as it can be other things as well.

Some ferrets are just smaller than others, and if they seem fine otherwise (active and normal) then it could probably just be that their ideal weight is low.

Answer 2

Vet - Firstly take your ferret to the vet as soon as possible to find out what is causing your ferret to be underweight. Some vets may give you special high fat / high calorie food to help your ferret gain weight. They may also give the ferret a dose of steroids to stimulate hunger.

Ferret food quality - Make sure you are giving your ferret a high quality ferret food with high protein content and low grain content. Cat food and kitten food are not suitable. Also occasionally give your ferret some raw meat in addition to their kibble.

Food and water - ferrets should always have access to food and water. Ferrets should always have access to food and many ferrets will not eat unless they also have you could do is buy a supplement paste which is given to the ferret daily. It is high in vitamins and minerals which help to keep your ferret healthy.

Supplement paste - buy a supplement paste and give some to the ferret daily. They provide the ferret with essential vitamins and minerals

Stimulation - ferrets who are not stimulated will sometimes refuse to eat causing them to lose weight. Provide your ferret with plenty of toys and regularly swap the toys so the ferret doesn't get bored. Make sure you allocate time every day to allow your ferret out of its cage or room and use this time to play with and bond with your ferret

Answer 3

Take your ferret to the Veterinarian immediately. Ferrets that are ill can go downhill very rapidly, usually there is no time to "wait and see" if they will be okay. Anytime a ferret is anemic, there is an underlying medical problem, which can be a symptom of several illnesses. Your ferret needs supportive care.

Healthy ferret will have pink gums if you look underneath it's lips. An anemic ferret you will see pale or yellowish gums or mucous membranes, the eyes and ears may be pale also. Anemic ferrets will breath faster to keep their bodies oxygenated and the heart beats faster. They usually have low energy levels.

Causes of Anemia

* Fleas - a ferret has very little blood in its system and just a few fleas can cause anemia and even death. It is important to get them taken care of quickly. * Lengthy Heat Cycle - Unspayed female ferrets in heat must be mated, if not prolonged heat will cause estrogen-induced aplastic anemia. * Ingestion of toxic materials, Egg whites (albumin) and raw onion can lead to hemolytic anemia. The gums and white portions of the eyes of ferrets with hemolytic anemia are often yellow.

* lymphoma tumors, internal tumors, severely enlarged spleen * Improper feeding of non-nutritious food. Ferrets need food made especially for ferrets. Being fed improperly with non-species specific foods such as cat food.

Answer 4

If your ferret is underweight, it may be a medical problem. Take your ferret to the veterinarian for a checkup