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Care of Ferrets
Ferrets were first tamed by the Ancient Egyptians for food and clothing. Today, they are playful weasel-like companions that depend on us for love! This category contains questions about ferret health, history, and needs.
1,047 Questions
How long does it take to pass away from positional asphyxia?
As little as a couple of minutes depending on the circumstances regarding physical exertion beforehand.
Some ferret lovers will tell you that ferrets and polecats do not smell - but the simple fact of the matter is they certainly do have a distinct ferrety odour that some people find unpleasant (I rather like it, personally) - their Latin name, Mustela putorius furo (or for the wild polecat, M. putorius), actually translates as weasel-like stinky thief.
This is especially true of males, which can produce a definite musky pong. However, following neutering, the smell is reduced by around 80% and is less noticeable than the smell of most dogs. Females are far less smelly, but both sexes possess glands near the anus which can release a stench comparable to that of a skunk if the ferret feels threatened - pet ferrets, which become accustomed to humans, rarely emit this smell and even if they do the stink soon fades. These glands are commonly removed in ferrets sold as pets in the USA but in Britain and other nations the procedure is seen as unnecessary mutilation.
Ferrets are well-known for doing the absolute opposite of what you want them do, and this is very true when it comes to washing - most ferrets enjoy a swim in the bath, but washing actually makes them stinkier. This is because it stimulates the production of oil glands in the skin. The oil is essential for keeping the ferret's fur in good condition, but is also what makes them smell. To reduce it, instead of washing simply change the ferret's bedding daily - the love to curl up under old towels, old wooly jumpers etc., so it's easy to collect enough bedding to change it daily while only needing to wash it once a week.
What is the word ferret in Italian?
The name "ferret" is derived from the Latinfurittus, meaning "little thief"
Scientific name: Mustela putorius furo
* Mustela (Latin for weasel)putorius (Latin putor meaning a stench or stink) furo (Latin furonem which means thief) translates into weasel-like stinky thief. There is a word 'ferret' in Latin - it's in a somewhat uncommon tense - imperfect subjunctive. It would translate as something like 'he should have brought'. Context would be needed to give a precise translation.
Can a ferret pass on illness if it bites you?
Can you catch a disease from a ferret
it's possible, ferrets can contract some of the same diseases as cats or dogs. Make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations and treat for fleas. Use precautions the same as dog or cats. Wash hands after handling any animal and cleaning litter boxes, try to avoid animal bites or scratches. Your more likely to catch a disease from an animal bite of a cat or dog. Be aware that ferrets can contract human influenza, humans with flu need to avoid handling ferrets, and vise verse.
Major Zoonoses that can be transmitted from ferrets to humans or humans to ferrets
- Enteric diseases- Campylobacteriosis
- Influenza
- Tuberculosis
- Rabies
Can a ferret give you rabies?
Ferrets are vaccinated against rabies. It is a myth that ferrets are carriers of rabies. Rabies is a rare disease in ferrets, because they don't have the exposure. There have been fewer than 20 cases of confirmed rabies in ferrets in the US since 1958. In some of these cases, ferrets were vaccinated with a live vaccine not approved for ferrets. There has never been a reported case of a human contracting rabies from a ferret.
What does dreaming about a ferret and a groundhog mean?
Most likely, it's just another dream.
But then again, it may be that this dream was a message from those two animals. What were they doing? What were you doing? Try to search out the details in the dream and find out its meaning. Animals are great teachers. I'm not an expert, but I have a few books about animal messengers. Hope I helped a little, at least. ^^
Is it okay to give ferrets Root beer?
Do not give your ferret Root beer or any other sweetened drinks or foods, it could cause an illness called insulinoma (a tumor in the pancreas that produces too much insulin). Ferrets need to have plenty of water available at all times.
Does feeding ferrets raw meat cause them to bite?
Raw meat is a ferrets natural diet - they are strict carnivores
Feeding ferrets a natural diet does not cause them to bite. I have 3 ferrets all of which are fed a raw diet.
There is no connection between feeding a diet that is natural to a ferret and aggression towards humans. I can tell you this from my own personal experience and the experience of others both in present times and historically. Feeding ferrets raw meat will not cause them to bite. Ferrets are strict carnivores - meat eaters - they have to eat meat in able to survive and before they were domesticated, raw meat was the diet. Ferrets naturally bite as young kits and need to be trained not to bite. Abused ferrets are "fear biters"
What does one need to go ferreting?
There are four main pieces of equipment needed to go ferret hunting. The first is a specialized shovel for digging called a rabbiting spade. Next one will need a small ferret net to capture the animal and a specialized ferret box to store and transport it once captured. Finally, one will need a ferret finding device to help one track and locate ferrets.
That depends on hoe it was cared for. If it had good human contact and care then yes it will be nice.
How do you house break a ferret?
Unfortunately, ferrets are as keen as cats to use the litterbox. If they have to go, they go.
The first step would be training the ferret to use the litterbox in the cage (use a ferret safe litter like paper pellets, not cat litter). Usually restricting the ferrets space is helpful because they do no like to poo on their sleeping area or their food. Be sure to use a large square litter pan.
Do not let them out of the cage before they have used the litter box. Keep placing them in until they go.
The same theory goes for training around the house. Place a few litterboxes around the room so your ferret can choose. When they have to go, it isn't fair for them to have to run all the way across the room. Moniter your ferret carefully. If he starts backing into a corner to go, grab him and place him in the nearest box. He may try to jump out but be consistent and keep placing him in the box. Once he goes in the box, be sure to give him lots of praise, or even his favorite treat. Never punish a ferret for accidents, this is cruel and can cause agression. Clean up any accidents with an odor removing cleaner. Natures Miracle is a good one.
If you notice your ferret going in a particular spot, you may want to place a box there as well.
What do you do when your ferret has blackheads?
Blackheads are normally associated with the oils the ferret produces and an over-zealous seasonal moult. They will often get "rat tail" where all the hair falls out of their tail. If it extends further onto their body, or happens at any other time, it could be a sign of something worse, so take them to the vet.
However, normal seasonal moulting can cause a similar thing. A normal human blackhead scrub can be used to help with the blackheads. Be sure to rinse it thoroughly off afterwards.
What genus does the ferret belong to?
Ferrets are members of the Mustela genus. There are 17 species classed as Mustela including weasels, stoats, polecats, mink and ferrets.
What could a dime size hard bump that doesn't move or hurt on the back of an 8 year old's head be?
If it doesn't hurt, then there is little to worry about. It most likely is a bump from getting his head hit on something a day or two ago and is healing up. It should diminish and disappear after a while, like several days. If it starts to get painful, or does not go away after a while, you might have it checked by a doctor.
Can you give your ferret a laxative?
Yes - But not unless you have them checked by a vet first. If your dog is in any discomfort or is vomiting, or if the constipation has been a problem for more than two or three days, call your vet - your dog may have a blockage that can kill them.
If your dog is constipated a lot and the vet can't find a cause, try adding cooked pumpkin or mashed green beans to their food, and make sure they get enough exercise. Make sure they have enough enough fresh water too.
What do ferrets act like if overheated?
Sprawled out, tongues sticking out. Very warm ti the touch. They will also act lethargic
How much do ferrets urinate and defecate?
Ferrets have a very rapid digestive system and digest food about every 3 to 4 hours. And, yes they do defecate a lot. Feeding a high quality ferret food will help, as they will adsorb and digest into the body. A poor quality pet food has a lot of fillers, which results in waste - feces. Also avoid any ferret food that has fish in it. Marshall farms ferret food has fish which is actually a modified mink food, and it makes ferret feces smell. It is important to clean litter box frequently to cut down on odors A ferret that has not yet established its normal place(s) for "using the restroom" will go many places. Normally a ferret seeks a corner or edge of a wall to go. If you want to speed up litter box training, be certain to clean up all the messes as soon as possible. Just leave a small bit of a mess in the litter box that you are using and they will learn to go there.
Yes, if the ferret is not trained properly, just like any cat or dog. Ferrets have a very short digestive system, and will go about every 3 to 4 hours, and unlike a cat or dog, they can't hold it, when they have to go it's immediate. Start in the cage with a litter box and in another corner with food (they will keep that area for food only). A ferret will need to relieve itself when they first wake up. wait until fully he is fully awake to let out of it's cage. Watch for the ferret backing into the corner, he is ready to relieve himself, you need to quickly place him into the litter box, and if successful, reward with a treat. Never hit a ferret for undesirable behavior. But ferrets can be trained successfully to use a litter box.
Domestic male ferrets are seasonal breeders and are sexually active between December and July. Females are polyestrous and have more than one estrous cycle between March and August. Male ferrets technically don't have periods, they become sexually active certain times of the year.
Why are unconscious motives much more difficult to ferret out?
Unconscious motives are more difficult to discover because they often give few, if any outward signs. They may be masked by conscious behaviors.
