Are you thinking about getting a pet? Once you’re done with your research, you found out about having ferrets as pets.
But you ask yourself, are ferrets easy to take care of?
Taking care of ferrets takes a lot more effort than a cat or a dog. They are very playful, active, and fragile animals that need lots of playtime and attention. You need to also ferret proof your house. Arrange a suitable cage for them to live in. Arranging a meat-based diet is also important.
Now you got your answer. But surely you want to know the details about how to take care of one.
Let’s dive into the article where we answered all your questions!
Are Ferrets Ideal As Pets?
Ferrets are members of the weasel family. And they have been domesticated for thousands of years. That’s why they make wonderful pets.
They are naturally playful, curious, and loving pets. Ferrets tend to play with their owners a lot.
But rushing off to a pet store just by seeing this will not be a smart move. You need to know more about how to handle a pet ferret. Because they need lots of attention and care.
Ferrets are small and fragile animals. So, they can get hurt very easily. And they like to dig and climb a lot so you need to make your house ferret proof too.
Also if you have a child then it is probably best to not take a ferret as a pet. Because ferrets tend to nibble playfully. That can end up harming your child and the ferret too.
Ferrets are very social and playful creatures. So you’ll have to invest a lot of time and attention behind them. And play with them often.
It is advised to buy them in pairs because ferrets don’t do well alone.
There are lots of other factors that need to be considered if you want to keep a ferret as a pet.
Let’s check them out!
Things to Make Sure Before Having A Ferret
Taking care of a ferret is a lot of work. Because they need to be taken care of more carefully than cats or dogs. Because they are very fragile animals.
There are a few aspects about what kind of care do ferrets need. Let’s look at them and discuss them.
Grooming
This is an important factor when taking care of a ferret. Because their grooming differs from other usual pets.
Ferrets have a natural scent from their body’s oil secretion that is quite strong. Also, their fur has a stickiness to it. The smell is stronger in unneutered female ferrets.
So it is very important to neuter your ferret before getting it home. Also, the oil in its skin is a natural protection for it. Bathing it often will strip it and it will cause it to produce more oil.
That can result in the smell getting even stronger. Bathing will help it be safe from rashes but monthly 1 or 2 times is enough.
Also, ferrets are naturally clean animals. So, if you give them the water they’ll clean themselves like cats. It’s the smell that you need to take care of.
Accommodation & Environment
You need to arrange for a quite big cage if you want the ferret to live inside your home. The ferret cage dimension should be at least 18x18x30 inches. Also, it must have proper ventilation and for that purpose, wire cages work best.
Let’s check out some ready-made ferret cages that you can get for your furry friend!
- MidWest Homes for Pets 182 Ferret Nation Double Story Unit
- Yaheetech Metal Critter Cage with 3 Front Doors/Feeder/Wheels Small Animal Cage
These options should help you choose a new home for your pet!
Make sure that the holes are sufficiently smaller. Because ferrets can squeeze through incredibly small spaces.
Ferrets are very playful so they should not be caged 24/7. They should be let out but need to be supervised. Because they could escape or break things or hurt themselves.
If you have other pets such as a cat or dog at home then they can play. But you need to supervise them at first to see if they get along.
Ferrets need a dark enclosure in their cages as they sleep in dark areas.
Diet
Ferrets are obligate carnivores like cats. That means they must have raw meat in their diet. Their main source of energy is fat so their diet should have a big portion of fat too.
The best possible diet is whole prey foods, such as mice and rats. But you as well as most owners don’t feel comfortable with that. So you need to talk to a vet to prepare the best possible planned diet for your ferret.
These are the main concerns when having a pet ferret. Every pet needs to be taken care of. But there are some additional challenges when it comes to ferrets.
Challenges While Keeping A Ferret As Pet
Ferrets are not like usual cats and dogs. The first thing that you need to remember is that they are very playful and active. So to keep them happy you must give them quite a bit of your time.
Also, ferrets tend to escape homes through very small openings. So you have to ferret proof your entire home so that they don’t get that chance to escape.
Temperature regulation is another very crucial matter. Ferrets can not stand the heat. They tend to live in cold and dark places.
If the temperature of the environment rises above 27 degrees then the temperature is too hot for ferrets. So you have to keep a closer eye on your ferret on hot days. And look for signs of heatstroke.
You also have to take measures to regulate your room’s temperature if you live in a hot region.
Keeping your ferret unattended isn’t an option most of the time. So it could disrupt the daily routine of your life.
From the discussion, it should be clear to you by now, that keeping a ferret as a pet isn’t an easy task. It needs lots of attention and care. And you need to devote a significant portion of your day to it.
FAQs
Can Ferrets Get Motion Sickness?
Yes, ferrets can get motion sickness from traveling in a bus or car. But it is not often observed because ferrets are not frequently transported by vehicles.
Can Ferrets Eat Cooked Meat?
Yes, ferrets enjoy both raw meat and cooked meat. Also, you don’t have to worry about removing the bone as they can chew and eat bones too. It is their source of calcium. They also love it.
Can Ferrets Be Litter Trained?
Yes, ferrets can be litter trained. You can prepare a pot with shredded newspaper and put it in the corner of the room where your ferret plays. They’ll eventually learn to use it.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you understand, are ferrets easy to take care of or not. It is a big responsibility to have a ferret. It’s better to think about it beforehand than to regret it later.
Wish you all the best in choosing your new pet!
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