The better you inform yourself of how to take care of a ferret, the more prepared you can be when you add a feisty friend to your family. Ferret care includes feeding, grooming and keeping abreast of any illnesses they may be susceptible to. It is also important to know how to ferret proof your home so that your pet does not injure himself or ingest something that will make him sick.
Ferrets are intensely curious by nature. Their tendencies will lead them to explore all sorts of places you would not even imagine. This is why part of ferret care is supervision and ferret proofing. To make sure your home is a safe place for a ferret, you will want to store all chemicals, cleaning supplies and medicine in a cabinet that is either high or locked. Houseplants will need to be out of reach of your ferret, as will sponges, wastebaskets and items made with soft rubber. Ferret-proofing your home to the fullest extent is a must.
Another must when you care for a ferret is an understanding of their medical and health needs. Aside from a healthy diet that contains the right amounts of micronutrients, ferrets need to be vaccinated. A baby ferret will need a distemper inoculation at about 8 weeks of age, a booster at 11-12 weeks of age, and a final booster at 14-16 weeks. After that, your ferret should receive all necessary annual vaccinations. Ferrets are somewhat delicate and are prone to diseases such as adrenal disease and insulinoma. Both of these are common in ferrets; so if you adopt this animal as a pet, you should be prepared for vet bills at some point down the road.
Ferrets sleep a good portion of their day, which makes a cozy cage and proper bedding important. Because you may want to litter train your ferret, starting out with a larger cage may work out best. Ferrets cannot climb into a regular cat box, so a specially made litter box for ferrets needs to be purchased. You can place a litter box right in their cage so they always know where to go. Just be sure to clean the box every day in order to keep your ferret in good health. When purchasing litter, be sure not to buy litter that produces dust or contains deodorants; these are irritating to a ferrets respiratory system.
Lastly, one of the best ways to take care of a ferret is to give him plenty of time and attention. Ferrets thrive on your love and attentiveness. Ferrets as pets are completely dependant on their owners for their livelihood. Adding a ferret to the home is an enormous commitment that should not be entered into lightly. If you think you are ready to care for a ferret, then you are sure to receive ample reward from your little friend.
