Care of Ferrets

The most obvious sign - look at the ferret's underside - if you see what looks like a belly button - it's a male

Male ferrets have a 'belly button' :) Actually, many people think that their ferret has a pronounced outie belly button, only to find out it is the male ferret's penis. It actually is in the lower part of the abdomen on the underside of the male ferret, while the female has her vulva much closer to the anus - just a few millimeters away, compared to several centimeters between the penis and anus of the male ferret.

A way to determine gender - turn your ferret over on his/her back. A female will have an opening (vulva) directly above the anal opening. For a male look about half way between ribcage and the tail and what can be mistaken for a the "belly button", it's not a belly button, but a penis.

Some major physical differences between male and female ferrets, first being size, males always larger that females. Female ferrets usually grow to be 12 -16 inches long, give or take a few for the tail, while male ferrets average a 1 1/2 - 2 feet in length with a heavier build. Another way of telling is by the head shape. Ferrets' heads are wedge, or 'V' shaped, male ferret's head is much wider of an angle than the female - female's noses are more pointed. Male ferrets can be much more odorous than the female due to size and hormones.

It's the same with humans, just gotta look more carefully. And females act differently then males.

Adult female ferrets are about 3 inches shorter than adult male ferrets. Male ferrets also have longer, thinner noses, and more wide-set ears.

The most obvious way to tell is just to look, though. Female ferrets appear to have nothing down there, while male ferrets do.

DON'T GUESS IF A FLEA PRODUCT MIGHT BE OKAY TO USE ON FERRETS, or IF YOU'RE NOT SURE, DON'T USE IT as they are sensitive to a lot of products, but a ferret does need to be treated, just few fleas can cause anemia and possibly death. Never use any dog products,COCAINE, flea collars, dips, also some cat products may not be safe to use on a ferret, it may cause death. Also ferrets are sensitive to products used to treat it's environment. Always check with a veterinarian.

Flea preventatives safe to use on for ferrets: There are several safe and effective flea products. There are flea shampoos (Marshalls) made specifically for ferrets.

1) Frontline, Frontline Plus, and Frontline spray are all safe and effective against fleas. One tube of the cat size per ferret once a month. With the spray version: 1 spray per pound on a ferret (IE a 2 pound ferret gets 2 sprays) once a month. Frontline, Frontline Plus, and Frontline spray also kills ticks. Frontline is an extremely effective product a lot of ferret owners have used with no reports of side effects, also this drug also has no product license for use in ferrets, but is one of the new generation of flea preparations designed to be safe. Product longevity is a potential drawback in the unlikely event that a ferret has an allergic reaction because it cannot be washed off.

2) Advantage is safe and effective against fleas. One tube of the small size kitten dose per ferret once a month. The product "Advantage" by Bayer Corporation, has no product license for use in ferrets, but is has been used and is a very effective flea control for ferrets. The drug itself has a very wide safety margin in the species it's licensed for and acts on post synaptic nerve endings found only in insects like fleas, so it should be of no risk to a ferret when used as directed. But toxicology and overdose tests show that Advantage to be slightly more toxic than Frontline. Advantage is water soluble that will wash off in case of an allergic reaction on a ferret. Do not use Advantage on a ferret that has a cut or scratch, because the alcohol base will sting. It can be safely administered at one drop per pound body weight on all pet species. Advantage mixes with the natural oils in your pet's skin and hair that penetrates deep within the hair follicles and oil glands of the skin. It does not enter the pet's body or circulate in the blood stream. It's chemical effects kills fleas from thirty to fifty days after a single application to the nape of the neck. Advantage kills fleas very quickly - within 20 minutes of contact and stops fleas from feeding in 3 - 5 minutes. All fleas will be dead within twelve hours after application. Advantage my be used as the only product for fleas control as it breaks the life cycle and kills all fleas emerging in the environment, so the premises is quickly eradicated of fleas. Advantage is safe to use on ferrets, rabbits, and guinea pigs at one drop per pound. Re-treatment of rabbits and ferrets may be necessary when flea infestation is heavy. If re-treatment becomes necessary earlier that 4 weeks, do not re-treat more than once weekly. Advantage formula is exactly the same for dogs and cats, the only difference is in the size of the treatment. WARNING: Take care when treating ferrets to administer the correct dose. Safety data on overdosing is not available. Advantage has no strong chemical smell.

3) Revolution is safe and effective against fleas. One tube of the cat sized per ferret once a month. Revolution is also called Stronghold in Europe. Revolution will also kill ticks, ear mites, prevent heart worms, and deworms each month.

Ferrets are very sensitive to insecticides, so you can't use all the same products you might use for cats and dogs.

Always check with your veterinarian before using ANY flea-control product on your ferret. He or she can determine whether your pet is healthy enough to undergo chemical treatment, and can recommend the safest, most effective plan. This is very important if you have young, sick or older ferrets.

Products and chemicals not safe for ferretsThe insecticides that have poisoned ferrets include (but are not limited to) pyrethroids, fipronil, hydramethylnon, and sulfluramid. Other products, such as BioSpot and Defend, are more toxic and may not be safe for your ferret. Beware of flea-control products that contain organophosphates, carbamates, or petroleum distillates, which are dangerous for ferrets. Flea collars and flea dips should NEVER be used on a ferret. Advantix - this product is NOT safe for ferrets nor cats.

Just a few fleas on a ferret can cause them to become severely anemic.

refer to link below for using flea medication on ferrets

Ferrets are not native to Australia, and as such, there are limits on keeping them as pets.

Australia has strict restrictions on the keeping of ferrets as pets. Live ferrets cannot be imported, due to the risks of disease. The ferrets currently in Australia come from stud farms. Only domesticated ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are permitted, and not their close relative, the European polecat.

It is illegal to keep ferrets as pets in Queensland or the Northern Territory; in the ACT and Victoria a licence is required.

In Queensland the ferret is a Class 1 declared pest animal, and as such is a prohibited pet. Other Australian states also have restrictions on keeping ferrets as pets.

Ferrets are also banned completely in the Northern Territory.

In Western Australia there are no known laws against keeping ferrets, but there are requirements for identification on ferrets entering that state, to ensure only the domesticated ferret is permitted in.

Areas of Victoria require that ferrets be registered, and some councils limit how many ferrets may be kept on the same premises.

New South Wales has no specific registration requirements, but there are restrictions in some areas regarding the number of ferrets which may be kept.

South Australia has no registration requirements - ferrets can be kept legally as there is currently no feral ferret problem in that state.

There are ferret enthusiast clubs in Tasmania, so ferrets are permitted in that state. There do not appear to be any obvious restrictions.

In the Australian Capital Territory, owners are subject to Animal Welfare Codes of Practice, and ferrets must be licensed.

The best advice is to contact the local council involved about keeping ferrets, and individual councils' policies and guidelines.

Ferrets are quite popular with some groups, and ferret clubs continue to lobby councils and governments to reduce some of the current restrictions. Others are more cautious, wanting to avoid similar problems as those caused by the introduction of foxes and rabbits in Australia.