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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
Scruffing a ferret is sometimes required to handle a ferret who is sick, injured, trying to escape or refusing to take a medication or have a wound looked at. It is the same concept used by moms to carry their young. You hold the ferret by the scruff of the neck, which is the loose skin on the back of the neck. It doesn't hurt but doesn't allow the ferret to escape either. The mother ferret scruffs her babies to discipline them and she also carries them by the scruff, like cat's do.
What are the different types of worms found in ferrets?
== == Intestinal worms, roundworms are rarely a problem in ferrets. Ferrets may be infected by Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, heartworms (most dangerous) and Coccidiosis (most common)
If you think you have seen worms in your ferret's stools, you should definitely bring him/her to a veterinarian ASAP, as ferrets have very sensitive digestive systems. The good news is that if treated, worms are usually readily evacuated. If the worms are a few millimeters to a centimeter and are relatively thin, they may be pin worm. If they appear like a piece of rice, this could be a tape worm. I have never seen hook worm, but have visualized their eggs, and heart worm is found in the ferret's heart and blood system, so it is unlikely that you would have seen these. Hopefully this might give you some idea, but in any of these cases, you will need to get a prescription from your veterinarian to save your ferret if he/she has picked up one of these parasites. Good luck!
No, Ferrets do not carry any diseases, but they are subject to be infected with various illnesses from humans, cats, and dogs.
What does it mean when a fixed ferret drags another fixed ferret around by the neck?
The ferret that is doing the dragging is simply asserting his dominance. He is letting the other ferret know who is boss.
Does a filling cause an abscess?
If it is done correctly you should not get a filling. If there is infection in the cavity and it is not removed then there is a good chance you'll have an absess. You may have to take antibiotics the week prior to getting the filling. It just depends on your situation.
What sense do ferrets use most?
Their sense of smell.. Ferret do not see particularly well, and often hunt underground where it's dark.
Many ferrets have actually become blind without their owners realizing it until they moved some furniture and saw the ferret running right into it.
Having a blind ferret should be fine, since they use their sense of smell, whiskers and hearing so much
What do you do when you are dehydrated?
You need to rehydrate. Drink fresh juices, or water with a pinch of salt. If a person is severely dehydrated, they might be put on drips.
Do you have to clean ferrets butt?
Not usually no. After going to the bathroom the ferret scoots its bottom along the ground. This cleans the ferrets bottom whilst also leaving some of the ferrets scent for other ferrets to smell.
Does descenting a ferret work?
Descenting a ferret is to remove the anal sacs by a surgical procedure. Anal sacs are musk-producing glands on either side of the anal opening. Descenting does not change the ferrets body odor which is produced by skin secretions
Can a ferret live in the house without a cage like a cat?
* Ferrets can be kept in the house without a cage - free roam. I have never kept mine in a cage. You have to be diligent in ferret proofing to prevent accidents. Ferrets are very extremely curious that can lead to an accidental premature death. * You would have to ferret-proof the house first. You wouldn't want your ferret getting stuck in/dying/hurting themselves in holes, behind the refrigerator, chewing on wires (could get electrocuted), etc. There's also the danger of the ferret slipping out the door while you're going out, and they tend to try and do that a lot. There's a possibility someone could step/sit on them. They would be harder to find, in such a big space. If you're vacuuming, it would be extremely unfortunate if you didn't know it was under the couch... It would also take them awhile to find their food/drink/bed(s). You would have to put a litter box in every corner they have access too (they go to the bathroom in corners). (Maybe not in every corner, if their already trained). It probably would be much safer for your pet if it had a cage. * They can live inside the house, ferrets cannot survive on their own outside. You can have ferrets that are free roam and mine are. But ferrets are a lot different from cats. Because of their natural instinct for digging and burrowing, it could lead them to dangerous situations. Make sure you train your ferrets to come to you by their name or a sound of a toy (they can be trained and this should be done regardless). When ferrets are out of their cage, they have collars with bells for ferrets, so you will know where there at (unless they curl up somewhere and fall asleep, then you might think there are lost! It can happen) You just have to be aware and alert of where they are at all times. I read about ferrets getting crushed in recliners, electrocuted climbing into stoves, injured in dishwashers, disappearing into holes in the walls. Ferrets are not caged animals, you cage them for their protection. But, I have no kids, I'm at home all the time, and I'm extremely careful and ferret proofed everything.
What do you do if your ferret is nursing kits and has come back in heat?
Some jills with small litters will come in heat while still nursing the kits. To bring her out of heat she will either need a hormone injection or Jill jab from the veterinarian or mate her with a sterile male or vasectomised male - a hoblet. Injectable hormones are given 10 days or more after the swollen vulva is first noticed to end estrus, they will not work any earlier.
To prevent a ferret from coming into heat - They need to be kept in dark areas away from artificial and natural lighting. Ferrets breeding season is controlled by photoperiod which means the length of day light time.When a ferret is exposed to light in a longer period than in the dark it causes them to come into heat. Ferrets that live indoors are exposed to artificial lighting which can cause them to come into season anytime of the year. Reducing photoperiod (any lighting, natural or artificial your ferret is exposed to) to 8 hours of light prevents most jills from coming into heat
What would cause hair loss of your two 1 yr old ferrets that are both pregnant?
All ferret have seasonal coat changes, and in unaltered ferrets it coincides with their reproduction cycles as they are seasonal breeders. Female ferrets seasonal coat change occurs five or six weeks after the beginning of estrus. Seasonal hair loss in unaltered ferrets are more pronounced as compared to altered ferrets. advice from other contributors:
Well, if they are pregnant, they mated with male ferrets. They are not losing their hair. Female ferrets, when they are pregnant, will pull out their hair to make a nest for their babies. Good luck!
Can a ferret eat 9 lives cat food?
Definitely not. While some cat foods are suitable for ferrets, this one is not. (Actually, it shouldn't be fed to cats either)
Both ferrets and cats are obligate carnivores and derive all necessary nutrition from meat. When choosing a food, look for one that has at least 35% protein, 20% fat, and less than 3% fiber. At least 4 of the first six ingredients should be meat.
Here are the ingredients for 9lives Daily Essentials:
Whole ground corn, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, whole wheat, meat & bone meal, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), salmon, chicken, beef, animal digest, salt, phosphoric acid, choline chloride, titanium dioxide, potassium chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement), taurine, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, potassium sorbate (used as a preservative), BHA (used as a preservative), blue 1, rosemary extract.
Out of the first 6 ingredients (italisized), only two of them are derived from animals. Meat and bone meal isn't really a good quality source of protein. Poultry by-products include things like bones, organs, and eggs. Also not the best source for meat protein, especially since it's unspecified (ie: chicken by-product meal would be better).
It also has a lot of artificial colors and added sodium.
Not good for ferrets or cats
How do you get a permit to have a ferret in California?
You don't. Ferrets are completely illegal in the state of California.
Should you get a dog kennel or a ferret cage for a ferret only for two days?
- Yes. Or board them at the vet or get them a sitter.
- You can use a pet carrier for temporary housing, I have two pet carriers (small and large) as I do not own a cage nor do I cage my ferret.
What if your ferret is not as active as it usually is but shows no sign of any listed illness?
Ferret tend to hide their illnesses, it may be time for a checkup at the veterinarians
What is the worlds largest ferret?
I have a 6 year-old male ferret that weighs 9.2 pounds. I'm sure he's not the world's largest, but I have never heard of a ferret larger than him. And Guinness does not currently have a record for the world's largest ferret.
my friend's ferret weighs 14 pounds, and a normal ferret's weight is usually 2-3 pounds
the worlds biggest ferret is 4 pounds u broke the record
Are ferrets a good pet for people with animal allergies?
Ferrets don't produce pet dander, found on cats and produces allergies in humans. You might try visiting a pet store with ferrets. Currently, there are no methods to test for being allergic to a ferret
from another contributor:
I myself have an allergy towards dogs, but i own three ferrets and I've had them for about 2 or 3 years so far so my answer is yes, but if you take them out of their cage to play with you for a real long time (8 hours maybe) then your eyes may begin to water, you might start sneezing, and your throat would probably get itchy.... it's not so bad though...
How can you clean your ferrets teeth?
To clean your ferrets teeth, use a products made for felines - either a bristle brush or a finger toothbrush (gauze in another option) and toothpaste made for pets. You start slowly letting your ferret taste the toothpaste, massaging the mouth and cheeks and slowly progress to his teeth and gums with your fingers, then proceed with the brush. You may have to scruff him or get someone to help you.
Refer to link below for more detailed information.
What animal is related to the mink and is used for hunting rabbits and rats?
The Domestic Ferret has been used for centuries for hunting rabbits (ferreting - still practiced in Europe) and rodent control (until chemical poisoning), and is related to the Mink
