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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
What temperature should a ferret be kept at?
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. If you leave your ferret out for any length of time, make sure there is adequate shelter.
Definitely.
Rat poison is lethally toxic to pretty much all mammals - and birds - and fish - as long as they ingest enough of it. "Enough" isn't all that much either. Some common past ingredients of rat poison included arsenic, barium, and thallium. (If you haven't heard of arsenic as poison you probably haven't watched or read any old murder mysteries.) Newer ones are maybe not quite as toxic - but still really nasty. They contain stuff like diphacinone, bromadiolone and warfarin - all anticoagulants that cause internal bleeding. Highly toxic metal phosphides are also a common ingredient.
When do ferret kits open their eyes?
Ferret kits eyes open between twenty-two to thirty-six days of age
What does it mean if your ferrets tail fur sticks up?
it means you have one very happy ferret. when my 3 play with me they always wag their tails when i play their games with them
What is the diet of a European Polecat ferret?
The natural diet of the European polecat ferret consists of whole small prey, i.e., meat, organs, bones, skin, feathers, and fur. Polecat ferrets mainly hunts voles, rabbits, small rodents, They also feeds on frogs, other amphibians, carrion and bird eggs.
Domestic Ferrets are not able to survive on their own in the wild. They would not eat, because they have lost all ability to find food and would starve and die.
See related question below for Black footed ferrets
Domestic ferrets used for hunting here in the UK have been cross breeding with the wild polecat for many years and these ferrets can survive in the wild and they do well with the jills rearing large litters
Do ferrets have to get rabies vaccinations?
Yes, Ferrets need canine distemper shots, only one vaccine is approved for ferrets. Canine distemper is fatal in ferrets (they die a horrible death) and is an airborne disease, being easily transmitted or brought in on your shoes or clothing.
What is a white animal looks like ferret with a black tipped tail in Montana?
You saw either an ermine - a stoat with winter colouration - or a weasel, some populations of which, especially in areas that have snowy winters such as Montana, also grow a white coat with a black tip to the tail, in winter.
Your ferret is bleeding from her bum and has runny eyes loss of appetite?
The best thing to do for your ferret is to take her to the vet as soon as possible. She is most likely sick, and as ferrets have a weak immune system this could cause the death of your beloved friend.
yes they are very curious creatures, and will get into almost anything that they're not supposed to
Yes, they are very inquisitive animals, and it may get them into trouble with their owners.
Can you use dog deodorizing spray on ferret?
I would use products for ferrets only, dog products may be harmful for a ferret.
What happens if your ferret vomits?
Ferrets can vomit for a number of reasons, one might be intestinal blockage.
Ferrets can dehydrate quickly from vomiting. Your ferrets needs to see a Veterinarian as quickly as possible
Can you use dawn dish wash on a ferret?
Absolutely not, use a ferret shampoo, something gentle for their sensitive skin.
Can ferrets stay outdoors in their cage?
Yes, it is perfectly okay to take your ferret outside, they enjoy digging around in the dirt and grass, But make sure your ferret has had his vaccinations - especially canine distemper - it is highly contagious and always fatal to ferrets. Flea and heartworm preventative - A few fleas on a ferret can cause anemia and ferrets can get heartworms. Beware of large animals around ferrets - like some terrier type or hunting dogs my perceive ferrets as prey and attack. Always make sure your ferrets is leashed and harnessed.
How do you know if a ferret is too skinny?
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.
Who is endangering the black footed ferret?
Hunters and killers are endangering the black footed ferrets. I believe it is cruel and it should stop but I'm not sure anyone will try to stop it unless they have ferret, care for them, and those who are trying to stop it.
Do ferrets eat animals or plants?
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, so they don't eat vegetables. They can't get nutrients from vegetables. Do not feed any vegetables to your ferret as they cannot digest vegetable, fruits or any grains.
Are baby ferrets born with their eyes open?
No, ferrets are not born with their eyes open. Baby ferrets open their eyes when they are about 34 days old.
What states in the US are ferrets legal?
In the United States, ferrets are illegal in California and Hawaii, and in New York City, New York.
The reason ferrets are illegal in some states or cities in the U S - government officials claim that if ferrets are released into the wild, they will establish feral colonies, and prey upon native species. They often cite the problems in New Zealand and Australia with ferrets in the wild preying upon native species causing them to become close to extinction. These ferrets were hybrids between polecats and ferrets mating, that enabled them to survive in the wild. The fact is that domesticated ferrets cannot live on their own in the wild for more than a few days, they have lost any natural instinct to survive on their own, and the ferrets purchased from a pet store are already neutered.
What animals are in the Mustelidae family?
The family Mustelidae (55 species in 24 genera) is a diverse family, the largest and probably the oldest extant (living) family in the order Carnivora, there are different subgroups within the major group . Weasels include weasels, mink, ferrets, stoats and polecats; martens include martens and fishers; badgers include badgers and wolverine; and otters include sea otters and river otters.
How much do pet ferrets cost in Maryland pet stores?
In general, Ferrets (healthy ones from reputable breeders that you find in good pet stores) range from $120-$150.
What is the Respiration rate of a ferret?
A domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) has a typical heart rate of 180 to 250 beats per minute, with 225 beats per minute being average. To establish what is normal for your ferret check the pulse during rest periods two to three times a day for several consecutive days.
Does Petland Discount sell guinea pigs?
yes they sell them. they cost around $10 to $20. its been said that they are bad breeders. i 'm not exactly sure. but i found enough info about how they treat animals at PETLAND. Petland discount doesn't seem much different. go to thevoicefordogs.org/petland/petland2.shtml
the guinea pigs bite really bad because they arent treated well =(
Nothing. Ferrets should always have a fresh water supply available.
They will of course drink anything they are offered, but water is the safest and healthiest choice. Their teeth have a very high surface to mass ratio and therefor will quickly be damaged by sugars, fizzy drinks or acids like orange juice.
Milk should NOT be given as it contains lactose. Special milk for pets (cats) can be used as a treat (around 1 TBS per week).
Here are some ferrets that has had real jobs
- A ferret named Felicia was used to clean the pipes at the National Accelerator Laboratory at Batavia. Felicia went through a 300-foot-pipe dragging a string. When she came out the other end, technicians tied a swab dipped in a chemical cleanser to the string. They pulled the tight-fitting swab through and when it came out it was covered with dust and steel specks.
- A ferret named Misty was used to help pull conduit at Peterson Air Force Base. Additional wires had to be run through 40-foot-long narrow pipes, called conduits, under the floor to connect computers. A piece of yarn was tied around the ferret's midsection. The animal crawled through the conduit, towing the yarn behind her. Then the loose end was tied around the wires and they were pulled through the conduit. Misty made several trips, and her work was done in an hour.
- Freddie, the only ferret anywhere with a steady job as an electrician's assistant. Freddie's bosses tie a length of fishing line to his collar; to the fishing line they attach another length of electrical wiring. Then, while Freddie is held at one end of a piece of pipe designed to protect wires, another man, with a dead rabbit and an air compressor, goes to the other end. The air compressor sends the scent of the dead rabbit down the pipe to Freddie's nose. Released, Freddie runs up the pipe in pursuit of the rabbit, and, simultaneously, lays the wiring. In one morning recently, Freddie laid wiring in 60 pipes, the longest of which was 130 ft. In contract the job would have taken a human electrician a month.
Will a ferret and a dog get along with each other?
Ferrets have been known to play well with household cats and some non-aggressive dogs, however, great care must be taken when introducing ferrets to any other household pets. Certain terrier dog breeds even have a heightened instinct to grab and kill ferrets.
Dogs that were bred for hunting, for example terriers, even if they have never been used for hunting, still have a natural instinct, should never be around ferrets. Trying to introduce a grown aggressive dog would be too stressful for a ferret. But a puppy that has been raised around ferrets will most likely be safe with ferrets.
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.
Ferrets are fearless to the point of foolishness and should not be allowed to wander. Whenever they are outside, they should be closely supervised and preferably kept on a harness leash designed for ferrets such as an H-shaped harness. Their curious nature also leads them to place themselves in situations where they will confront and try to play with larger animals outdoors that may be dangerous to the ferret.
Advise from other contributors:
* I have 8 dogs and 7 cats...and 9 ferrets.... * My ferrets live in courts in the garden but come in contact with the cats and dogs * As long as your sensible then you can get a ferret with cats and dogs
