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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 do you get rid of fleas on a ferret?
Ferrets do tend to scratch and itch a lot. Bathing and/or using a product not made for ferrets will dry out their skin, making them itch, also check for fleas. Bathing a ferret is not necessary unless they get into something and needs a bath. Ferrets can also have allergies that will make them itchy. If you are feeding dry ferret food, give them a tiny bit of olive oil every few days for their coat, it has a lot of good nutrients. Most ferrets like olive oil, you can use it as a treat for them. Also your ferret's ears may need cleaning which also causes them to scratch themselves
Can you feed your ferrets grapes as a treat?
It's not really what ferrets like -it's what treat is the healthiest for them. Ferrets are carnivores and cannot digest fruits, grains, and vegetables, which means avoid treats with any of these ingredients, also ferrets cannot handle food with sugar well. Treats should be made especially for ferrets, with meat as the main ingredient.
It's important to learn what a ferrets diet consist of and how to read the ingredient listing on a pet food product to make the wisest choice of available food. For your ferret's health it's very important to feed the best food available
See related question below for What kind of food does a ferret eat?
Do ferrets drink hot or cold water?
It's essential for ferrets to have water at all time for drinking,
As for bathing, some ferrets like water, some don't.
Some like to play in the water, I like to provide mine with a bowl or container they can splash around in.
if you start leting ferrets swim at about 6-36 months old then they'll start to get more and more ok with it, but for the water make sure that the water is just as low as its hip just in case
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Mustela
Species: M. putorius
Yes. I am taking an educated guess that you are talking about Cannabis sativa and not the crabgrass growing in your yard. Cannabis is a stimulate that increases the heart rate and metabolism of an animal. Being very small, ferrets already have a pulse of 225 beats per minute and a high metabolism that allows for a meal to be digested in four to six hours. Increasing these natural rhythms is extremely dangerous and could very well be fatal.
When a baby ferret is born his eyes are opened or closed?
Ferrets are small, weasel-like animals. In the wild, the are brown with a white undercoat with a cute black-masked face and other markings along those colors. Domesticated ferrets typically come in three varieties:
. Those that look just like their wild cousins, as above described.
. Those that look more like ermines: White, often long-furred, with a black or grey tinged neck and tipped tail.
. Ferrets that look like a mix in between the two, generally more like the later description: White, with a brown tinge around their neck and other features of the black-footed ferrets.
All ferrets have black beady eyes (unless injured or likewise), and usually possess cute, slightly wet pink noses.
How do ferrets fall asleep in your hands?
Depends on the ferrets personality, some will ferrets will fall asleep in your hands and some won't. Just like some cats and some dogs don't like to be held, you can't make them. One trick for a ferret is after they have fallen asleep in their usual place, if you pick them up carefully, they will usually stay asleep and you can hold them.
How do you know the difference between a European polecat and a domestic ferret?
Polecats and Ferrets are genetically very similar. The difference between a domestic ferret and a European polecat is that a ferret is the domestication of the Polecat and is a pet. Domestication has reduced the Ferrets ability to fend for themselves. Polecat Ferret hybrids do exist and are very difficult to distinguish from a true Polecat. The domestic ferret is smaller, and has a more fragile bone structure. A domestic ferret is usually lighter in color, and the mask does not reach the tinted neck band like it does with the European polecat. The European polecat has a rounder face. The back of the ears of a European polecat is dark, whereas it is light in the domestic ferret. European polecat jaws are much stronger than those of the domestic ferret. The European polecat is more muscular. The European polecat is a solitary animal and only meets in the mating season, while the ferret loves company.
Where can you find pictures of the different types of ferrets?
Check with your local pet store in the area that you live in. Some individually owned pet stores sell ferrets.
Some Petsmarts sells ferrets, already descented, neutered & vet checked. Also Petco sells ferrets, but you can try Petland and asking the price.
You can ADOPT a homeless ferret from your local animal shelter or rescue. It's just as cute and friendly as one from the pet store! Look it up online. They are already socialized, litter trained and has vaccinations.
To adopt a ferret - Petfinder.com will have a list of place to adopt ferrets according to the area you live in. Go to the website and enter your zip code
You can also look in the classifieds, like craigslist.org or petfinder.com
In any state but California and Hawaii. Also, it's a good idea to have at least two of them if you don't already have a ferret-- they do better with companions!!
You can get ferrets from a private breeder. If you are in the US, there are a few, refer to links below:
From other contributors:
You can buy ferrets just about any where. Though I would recommend that you first do a lot of research to make sure you know how to take care of one. As for your question you can usually get them at your local pet store. Though if you live in a state where it is illegal to own ferret then I do not know. Otherwise I hope you got your answer.
You can get a ferret either by doing a google search for "ferret adoption" and finding your local ferret rescue center, looking on places such as craigslist for ferrets, or going to your local pet store and buying one.
Will a domesticated ferret kill a rabbit?
No. Even if the ferret didn't mean to hurt the rabbit it is very likely that it will because ferrets are rough (nip and scratch) when they play. It would not be advised to let the two play with one another
Should you wake up a ferret in the morning after a full night of sleep?
This really just depends on the ferret. Is she normally docile when you rough her about? If she is, she's probably not going to bite. However, an easily startled or slightly aggressive ferret may bite, but not necessarily. Ferrets are typically very heavy sleepers and are most of the time fairly lazy upon waking.
ferrets do need their whiskers. the whiskers help judge if they can fit in a small space or if they can't. if they don't have whiskers then it will be very dangerousbecause they will squeeze into too small spaces, possibly suffocating them.
p.s. you spelled ferrets wrong its f-e-r-r-e-t-snot faretts. :)
It depends on how you treat the ferrets.
But ferrets are also known to be pets, nice ones too!
So they aren't that dangerous if you be nice to them though they get nervouse and bite you sometimes (Or if they think your hand is a toy)
But as you get along with the ferrets, then you'll be fine
Now I'm talking about how clean a ferret is?
Ferrets are messy creatures (But don't count that as Germs)
They can make a big mess everywhere (They are playful)
But when a ferret is sick, its not sick because its a dirty creature,
But the environment that the ferret is living made it sick
And it's not their fault
Its (Usually) us!
Castrating gives them a high chance of Adrenal disease (Castrating means doing something so it cant have baby)
If a person is sick, and feeds the ferrets (Or something)
this will past the sickness to the ferrets!
So, ferrets are safe after all, but remember, the behaviour and safety really depends on YOU! (How you treat them, where you put them, how you care them)
It is a natural instinct from before ferrets were domesticated they would kill more prey than they could consume and would store the rest for later. The scientific name for ferret "Mustela putorius furo", The "furo" comes from the Latin furonem, which means thief. The name "ferret" is derived from the Latin furittus, meaning "little thief", a likely reference to the common ferret penchant for secreting away small items == == What do ferrets like to steal? Every ferret is different. Some fixate on certain objects to steal. I had one that like to steal tomatoes out the fridge to hide. Some like to steal shiny things - like keys, some like remote controls (i think because of the rubber buttons), some like to steal socks How do you train a ferret to steal? You don't have to; they are built for it. How do you keep your ferret from stealing things? To keep a ferret from stealing, either remove or keep them away from that area, or put the objects out of reach. Ferrets hide things as part of their natural instinct.
Is there anything to make your ferret not stink?
Ferrets smell comes from their skin sebaceous glands which secretes a musk odor. Bathing causes a more pronounced odor because of the oils being stripped from the skin that causes an overproduction of oils to replace them. Most of the smell comes from the litter box and bedding.
Advice from another contributor:
- They will still smell as the odor isn't a sign of an unhealthy or dirty ferret. I own a girl ferret and I don't notice she smells, but everyone who enters my apartment thinks it reeks of ferret, so you do get used to the smell.
How does a ferret defend her young?
The black-footed ferret is secretive and primarily nocturnal. Most of its time is underground in prairie dog burrows, and typically spends only a few minutes above ground each day to hunt or find new burrows or mates. In burrows it sleeps, keeps its food, avoids predators and harsh weather, and gives birth to its young.
Do ferrets carry diseases to other household pets?
It's possible. Ferrets can be infected with canine distemper which, as the name suggests, can also be caught by dogs. However, most dogs (in the USA and Europe at least) are vaccinated against this disease and ferrets can be as well - so make sure yours are. Ferrets can also become infested with fleas. The cat flea is the commonest in human homes - ask your vet for advice on which remedy he or she recommends to kill fleas both on your animals and in your home. Rabies is also a possibility in most countries (but not in the UK where the disease does not exist); however, it will be obvious of a ferret has rabies and it can be kept apart from other animals and taken to the vet.
Do ferrets live wild in Minnesota?
Yes, but check with your city government ordinances on companion animals as ferrets may require a permit to own. Ferrets are illegal in the state of California and Hawaii, and in New York City, NY.
No..... but their owners do with their laughing and snickering at their fuzzies' antics!!
Seriously, ferrets make a "dooking" noise that sounds like they are chuckling or clucking during play when they are excited and having fun.
When they are in pain or very scared, I have read that they will screech (I personally haven't heard this one).
Then there is the "hiss" - kind off a cross between a "heehee" and chattering - a warning that comes from a very annoyed or pissed off ferret - in other words, leave this critter ALONE if you hear this because a mad ferret could bite .... hard. Mama ferrets will hiss at kits to discipline them.
Why does your altered female ferret have an enlarged vulva?
There are several possible causes. The only person who can tell you for sure is a vet. Please take you ferret to a vet as soon as possible as a swollen vulva can be the sign of serious problems. I have put some possible causes below
The ferret is in heat - The female ferret has come into heat. She will need to be bred or given a special vaccination to bring her back out of heat. A female ferret will not come out of heat by herself and remaining in heat is very dangerous. Staying in heat can cause her to develop aplastic anaemia which can be fatal.
A partial spay - If the female was spayed at a very young age she may have what is called an incomplete or partial spay. This is rare but can occur when a female is spayed before she is fully grown.
Adrenal disease - If your ferret is also starting to lose fur (beginning at her tail and spreading towards her body) it is a sign that she may have adrenal disease. She will need medical treatment as soon as possible.
All of the above require immediate medical attention.
What weather conditions can ferrets stand?
Ferrets tolerate cool climates well and are most comfortable at temperatures around 60 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ferrets should always housed indoors in a temperature controlled environment.
Cold Weather
* They can handle going outdoors in cold weather, unless it's really frigid (below freezing) or windy, wet weather. How long a ferret can stay outside depends, such as age, health and weather. A Young ferret will probably want to stay outside longer than an older ferret. Ferrets with health problems should only stay outside for a few minutes. A ferret can play outside for about 30 to 60 minutes. An older ferret, or one in poor health, should stay no more than 5 to 10 minutes outside at a time. Hot Weather
* Ferrets cannot handle high temperatures well at all and are extremely susceptible to heatstroke. They have poorly developed sweat glands. Generally, when temperatures exceed 80˚f (26˚c),or less in humid weather, one should be aware of possible heatstroke.
Yes, they are, especially if they are raised together Ferrets get along with cats better than any other animals, especially if introduced as a kitten. An adult cat, it depends on it's temperament or behavior. An adult cat can easily harm a baby ferret and vise-versa, closely supervise grown a ferret when playing with a kitten. Ferrets will readily approach other animals, without fear of their own safety.
For the first few times, let the cat observe the ferret shut in it's cage, so they can see and smell each other. Gradually introduce each other, in the same room, make sure each has an escape route or a place they can go to that the other can't. Supervise play sessions very closely and at all times. Monitor the cat to make sure it exhibits no stalking behavior. Supervision is key, an angry or cornered cat might use their claws and cause damage. Ferret may consider the cat to be a large moving toy, nipping the cat's toes or riding on it's back. Allow the cat a place it can move to higher ground, to watch the ferret from a safe distance.
As with any animals never leave them alone together, unless you are very sure that you can.
Would a cat kill a ferret? Would a ferret kill a cat or kitten?
No, grown cats usually just ignore ferrets. Kittens play real well with ferrets. But a feral or barn cat might. Always be cautious with ferrets around any other animals.
Advice from other contributors:
- Possibly, depending on relative sizes and weights, etc. But ferrets can be fierce little critters, and I bet it would be an ugly scene for both all things being equal.
- I have two cats and a ferret they like one another!!!!
- No, they would'nt, but ferrets play very rough and might unintentionally hurt a kitten. When ferrets play together, they usually bite at each other, and they have tough skin, unlike a kitten. Always supervise play between animals, don't leave them alone together.
- Cats and ferrets like to play sometimes. It depends if they like each other.
- My ferret and cat who is 2 years old love one another. they chase each other and playfully bite one another. however, my ferret does tend to hiss at my cat when he gets pissed. which in turn makes my cat scared to be near my ferret, so he tends to jump to high positions that my ferret can't get to. but overall they like each other and my cat always wants to come and play with the ferret when i let her out.
my ferret and cat are like best friends
What is the weight of a ferret?
most ferrets are about 1-3 ponds if have a ferret make sure you read ingriedients of food and TREATS AND NEVER GIVER GIVE THEM CHOCLATE
