Odors are part of having a Ferret, but the stench does not need to be overpowering if you as the owner both understand the reasons for odors and know what you are doing in the care of your Ferret.
Odors are caused in three ways. Firstly is their musk or the smell created by marking. Secondly the diet and thirdly their hygiene or lack of it.
Let's deal with the issues in the order or odor raised (see what I did there?).
Marking. Ferrets have scent glands near their anuses; it is the secretions from this gland which are used for ‘marking’. Ferrets will 'mark' for a number of reasons such as attracting a mate or leaving a trail to where food has been hoarded; they will also let fly with an anal secretion if they are startled or frightened.
Remedy - If you are not going to use your Ferret for breeding then you can have the anus gland removed (this is known as de-scenting) and at the same time the Ferret can be neutered; these are simple operations that can be performed at the same time.
Just a word of caution, the musk of un-neutered males is fairly strong, but in truth, the removal of glands and testicles shouldn't be done until the male Ferret has reached sexual maturity, which will be when it is 6-8 months old.
A similar operation can be undertaken for the female in this case, spaying them. If you are not going to breed from them this can actually be a kind thing to do, as when a female Ferret is on 'heat' and does not mate, she can go into what's known as an extended heat and potentially die from aplastic anemia; talk to your Vet and arrive at a decision.
Diet. Just think of the outcome of a bad human diet and you'll get the idea.
There are mixed views in the Ferret community as to whether a dry food diet is more preferable to a meat diet. Both should have the same levels of proteins, fats and fiber, 32%/18%/3% in that order, but all of that is covered in an earlier article (Ferret Diets).
From an odor perspective, the diet can be a main contributor.
A poor diet leads to increased food intake as the Ferret is not getting sufficient nutrition and of course, the more it eats the more waste it needs to release; so it is a vicious circle - get the diet right and these problems should go away.
Hygiene. A Ferret does not need to be bathed on a regular basis; regular bathing can remove essential oils from its coat. The rule of thumb is, that if the coat really does start to give off an aroma that is somewhat offensive, then bathe it, but make sure that you use a soft shampoo; shampoos used for young children are ideal.
The litter tray, cages and corners of the room are probably where the greatest smells are to be found.
A Ferret is a clean animal and responds best in a clean environment. If the litter tray is not cleaned on a regular basis, your pet will find somewhere else to go to toilet, such as a favourite corner of the room - so clean the tray often, (some say daily) and make sure the cage and bedding is kept clean.
Ears can be a major source of an unpleasant smell. Ferrets produce a lot of earwax and their ears should be gently cleaned every couple of weeks. However, DO NOT USE EAR BUDS, but cotton wool balls.
Bad teeth can cause bad breath, so if you have that sort of problem check to make sure that the teeth do not have a problem.
If you want to have a great relationship with your Ferret remember, if you look after your Ferret properly, it will reward you many times over.
Wednesday 23 December 2009
Tuesday 22 December 2009
Ferret Tubes and Tunnels
Although they sleep for up to 18 hours a day, a Ferret can be as demanding as a child when it comes to seeking attention.
Ferrets get a great deal of pleasure from playing with objects like furry toys and balls.
But in my view, the greatest pleasure can come from watching them play in their Ferret Tubes and Tunnels; these toys are fantastic fun which your pet will love to race through.
There are some great tubes and tunnels to be had.
The Double Fun Play Tunnel is large enough for multiple ferrets to enjoy. Ferrets have a blast exploring and playing with the bell toys while onlookers appreciate their enthusiasm. The divided tunnel has a hole on each exterior wall and one in the center so ferrets can tunnel around. Then there are smaller tunnels which are fleece-lined and flexible tunnels of fun that stretch up to 33 inches of extra exciting exploration space!
But the beast and the Grand-daddy of them all is the 'Super Thru Way Tunnel' which was the winner of the Best New Small Animal/Reptile Product at the 42nd Annual APPMA Trade Show. Ferrets love to tunnel, so this is the toy your ferrets will love to play with and it is 20 foot long, so you need to make sure you have the space for it.
The newest concept in ferret housing are bubble wave funnels which attach to the cage. These can provide additional living space both in and outside of the cage. Your furry pal will spend countless hours climbing and exploring inside the easy-view translucent tubes which when attached to the cage, stand an almighty 69 inches high.
You can also get 'Tube and Tunnel' systems which can be connected to each other creating a colorful Peek-A-Boo playground system of tubes, elbows and tees. Your pet needs exercise in order to sustain a long and happy life, so this type of toy provides many hours of stimulation and fun for pets through natural exercise.
They can also satisfy the Ferret's natural curiosty as they provide a unique network of hiding places and tunnels to explore, hide and sleep in.
Then there are just Tubes which are a lot smaller than a system of tubes and tunnels. The average measure 12in x 12in and some have a snug nest at the top to lay around in. There are 3 different tubes to run, climb, hide and play in, the cardboard tubing is sturdy enough for more than one Ferret to race through.
So you get the idea, there is a lot of choice available, but before you start spending money on these spectacular designs, try your Ferret out in a simple cardboard box, it will do until they bored.
Ferrets get a great deal of pleasure from playing with objects like furry toys and balls.
But in my view, the greatest pleasure can come from watching them play in their Ferret Tubes and Tunnels; these toys are fantastic fun which your pet will love to race through.
There are some great tubes and tunnels to be had.
The Double Fun Play Tunnel is large enough for multiple ferrets to enjoy. Ferrets have a blast exploring and playing with the bell toys while onlookers appreciate their enthusiasm. The divided tunnel has a hole on each exterior wall and one in the center so ferrets can tunnel around. Then there are smaller tunnels which are fleece-lined and flexible tunnels of fun that stretch up to 33 inches of extra exciting exploration space!
But the beast and the Grand-daddy of them all is the 'Super Thru Way Tunnel' which was the winner of the Best New Small Animal/Reptile Product at the 42nd Annual APPMA Trade Show. Ferrets love to tunnel, so this is the toy your ferrets will love to play with and it is 20 foot long, so you need to make sure you have the space for it.
The newest concept in ferret housing are bubble wave funnels which attach to the cage. These can provide additional living space both in and outside of the cage. Your furry pal will spend countless hours climbing and exploring inside the easy-view translucent tubes which when attached to the cage, stand an almighty 69 inches high.
You can also get 'Tube and Tunnel' systems which can be connected to each other creating a colorful Peek-A-Boo playground system of tubes, elbows and tees. Your pet needs exercise in order to sustain a long and happy life, so this type of toy provides many hours of stimulation and fun for pets through natural exercise.
They can also satisfy the Ferret's natural curiosty as they provide a unique network of hiding places and tunnels to explore, hide and sleep in.
Then there are just Tubes which are a lot smaller than a system of tubes and tunnels. The average measure 12in x 12in and some have a snug nest at the top to lay around in. There are 3 different tubes to run, climb, hide and play in, the cardboard tubing is sturdy enough for more than one Ferret to race through.
So you get the idea, there is a lot of choice available, but before you start spending money on these spectacular designs, try your Ferret out in a simple cardboard box, it will do until they bored.
Friday 18 December 2009
Facts about Ferrets, things you should know and consider before owning a Ferret
I've had a Ferret ever since I was a boy - I've also had cats and dogs, but the Ferret was always smarter by far!
With a dog, you buy a bed, bowl and lead, feed it, play with it and walk it regularly and it is a friend for life.
Similarly with a cat. Buy a bowl, cat food and litter, put a cat flap in your back door thus giving access to the outside world where it likes to roam and hunt and you have a very contented pet but a Ferret.........................whoa!
You know, the Ferret has been around for at least 2,500 years, although what appear to be ferret remains have been dated to back to 1500 BC.
It is thought that they were usually bred for hunting rabbits and the like and in some places still are, but in this modern world it is more popular as a domesticated pet.
A male Ferret is a Hob (although if he has been castrated he is now known as a Gib), a female is a Jill (although when she has had a litter she becomes a Dam) but if she is then spayed, she becomes a Sprite, a young or baby ferret is a Kit and a group of Ferrets are known as a Business.
The male is a lot larger than the female, which should be remembered when buying your first one. They can grow up to 20 inches in length and have a 5 inch tail which can get in the way occasionally. They come in a selection of colours; black, white, brown or mixed fur and although quite light in weight, can grow to be as heavy as 4 pounds (or even heavier if it isn't on a proper diet) which can make your pocket baggy if you carry it around with you a lot.
So what can you expect from your Ferret?
Well, they spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping, normally divided into two shifts, but during the 6 Hours that they are awake, watch out! They are very active and inquisitive when awake and should be released from their cage during these periods in order to get exercise.
They will be interested in their surroundings and actively encourage inter-action with humans to the extent, that they like to play 'hide and seek; see I told you they were fun pets.
They also like to go for walks, so once they have received all of their inoculations, buy a harness and take it for a walk down the street; they really enjoy being the centre of attention.
Although they can become a real nuisance by marking their foraging territory on a regular basis with urine and excrement, training a Ferret to use a litter tray is not only achievable but now, common practice; it just takes a bit of work and a lot of patience.
Their natural instincts are still very strong and as said above, are very, very inquisitive. They will be seen nesting and hoarding, especially food.
They will also carry objects that they have become attached to, off to secluded locations however, they do not have strong homing instincts.
So if your Ferret gets out into the wild, the chances of it finding its way back to your home is pretty remote and its chances of survival even less.
Ferrets can be very amusing pets, no more so that when they do a sort of war dance. When excited, Ferrets jump and down and when really excited will perform a succession of sideways hops which is often accompanied by a soft clucking noise (sometimes known as Dooking). Upon seeing the Ferret leaping frantically from side to side whilst singing the 'dooking song' can alarm new owners who may think that their new pet is either having a fit or has gone completely mad - but that isn't the case.
These actions show that the Ferret is very happy and you should look to join in with it as this can be a precursor to a game of chase, wrestle and pounce. But a word of warning, during these times the Ferret can be very accident prone and whilst performing the war dance, it has been known for them to throw themselves from side to side quite violently - I remember my Ferret, Bertie, throwing himself into the television screen and then disappear rapidly as my dad shouted at him, luckily nothing was broken and my Dad was still able to watch the News without
having to rebuild the set.
Ferrets have a sweet tooth, which isn't exactly good for them. The high sugar content of foods such as Bananas, Raisins and sweet fruit in general, has been linked to Insulinoma (cancer) and other diseases, so although you may 'love' to give your pet some little treats, you could be doing more harm than good.
Ferrets are Carnivores which means they like meat. There are a good number of commercial food products that can be bought or even created, but they must be at least 32% meat based. This will provide the protein and fats required by a ferret's metabolism - do not feed it adult cat or dog food, that's a definite no-no!
Providing edible ferret chew toys to young ferrets usually reduces the risk of them chewing on inappropriate objects.
Domestic Ferrets are susceptible to distinct illnesses. These include cancers that impact on the adrenal glands, pancreas and other internal organs and most importantly, the lymphatic system.
As the saying goes, a Ferret is for life, not just for Christmas and normally has a lifespan of 7 to 10 years. So remember, if you are going to have a Ferret as a pet, it will be around for a while.
You can get a lot more information about Ferrets by visiting http://www.ferretfacts.info/
Regards,
Walt
With a dog, you buy a bed, bowl and lead, feed it, play with it and walk it regularly and it is a friend for life.
Similarly with a cat. Buy a bowl, cat food and litter, put a cat flap in your back door thus giving access to the outside world where it likes to roam and hunt and you have a very contented pet but a Ferret.........................whoa!
You know, the Ferret has been around for at least 2,500 years, although what appear to be ferret remains have been dated to back to 1500 BC.
It is thought that they were usually bred for hunting rabbits and the like and in some places still are, but in this modern world it is more popular as a domesticated pet.
A male Ferret is a Hob (although if he has been castrated he is now known as a Gib), a female is a Jill (although when she has had a litter she becomes a Dam) but if she is then spayed, she becomes a Sprite, a young or baby ferret is a Kit and a group of Ferrets are known as a Business.
The male is a lot larger than the female, which should be remembered when buying your first one. They can grow up to 20 inches in length and have a 5 inch tail which can get in the way occasionally. They come in a selection of colours; black, white, brown or mixed fur and although quite light in weight, can grow to be as heavy as 4 pounds (or even heavier if it isn't on a proper diet) which can make your pocket baggy if you carry it around with you a lot.
So what can you expect from your Ferret?
Well, they spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping, normally divided into two shifts, but during the 6 Hours that they are awake, watch out! They are very active and inquisitive when awake and should be released from their cage during these periods in order to get exercise.
They will be interested in their surroundings and actively encourage inter-action with humans to the extent, that they like to play 'hide and seek; see I told you they were fun pets.
They also like to go for walks, so once they have received all of their inoculations, buy a harness and take it for a walk down the street; they really enjoy being the centre of attention.
Although they can become a real nuisance by marking their foraging territory on a regular basis with urine and excrement, training a Ferret to use a litter tray is not only achievable but now, common practice; it just takes a bit of work and a lot of patience.
Their natural instincts are still very strong and as said above, are very, very inquisitive. They will be seen nesting and hoarding, especially food.
They will also carry objects that they have become attached to, off to secluded locations however, they do not have strong homing instincts.
So if your Ferret gets out into the wild, the chances of it finding its way back to your home is pretty remote and its chances of survival even less.
Ferrets can be very amusing pets, no more so that when they do a sort of war dance. When excited, Ferrets jump and down and when really excited will perform a succession of sideways hops which is often accompanied by a soft clucking noise (sometimes known as Dooking). Upon seeing the Ferret leaping frantically from side to side whilst singing the 'dooking song' can alarm new owners who may think that their new pet is either having a fit or has gone completely mad - but that isn't the case.
These actions show that the Ferret is very happy and you should look to join in with it as this can be a precursor to a game of chase, wrestle and pounce. But a word of warning, during these times the Ferret can be very accident prone and whilst performing the war dance, it has been known for them to throw themselves from side to side quite violently - I remember my Ferret, Bertie, throwing himself into the television screen and then disappear rapidly as my dad shouted at him, luckily nothing was broken and my Dad was still able to watch the News without
having to rebuild the set.
Ferrets have a sweet tooth, which isn't exactly good for them. The high sugar content of foods such as Bananas, Raisins and sweet fruit in general, has been linked to Insulinoma (cancer) and other diseases, so although you may 'love' to give your pet some little treats, you could be doing more harm than good.
Ferrets are Carnivores which means they like meat. There are a good number of commercial food products that can be bought or even created, but they must be at least 32% meat based. This will provide the protein and fats required by a ferret's metabolism - do not feed it adult cat or dog food, that's a definite no-no!
Providing edible ferret chew toys to young ferrets usually reduces the risk of them chewing on inappropriate objects.
Domestic Ferrets are susceptible to distinct illnesses. These include cancers that impact on the adrenal glands, pancreas and other internal organs and most importantly, the lymphatic system.
As the saying goes, a Ferret is for life, not just for Christmas and normally has a lifespan of 7 to 10 years. So remember, if you are going to have a Ferret as a pet, it will be around for a while.
You can get a lot more information about Ferrets by visiting http://www.ferretfacts.info/
Regards,
Walt
Ferret illnesses symptoms and early signs can make a difference
How often do you look at a friend or a relative and think to yourself ‘You don’t look well’ it’s an instinctive reaction based on your knowledge of that individual or, the fact that they look like ‘death warmed up.’
Pets are no different! Because you have got to know them, you can tell when they aren’t their normal selves.
Ferrets are no different except in one major area. Although they are normally healthy enough, a major disease can be fatal in a very short period of time; so they need watching over.
I’m not a Vet, but I have done a lot of research into Ferret ailments and I have found over time that having a quick reference guide that explains symptoms in general, has often helped me decide whether there is something serious going on that the Vet should see, or whether the little guy is just generally under the weather.
I’ve have reproduced notes that I have taken so that you too, in general terms, can have your own quick reference guide to Ferret ailments.
The first sign that all is not well is usually found in their behaviour. If they seem to be lethargic or aren’t tearing around in their usual manner when out of the cage, take a closer look. Are their eyes dull? Is there a loss of appetite? Is there a lack of bowel movement?
The litter tray is good place to go to next. Check to see that their stools are normal and not ‘pencil’ thin, if they are, this could suggest some kind of intestinal blockage. Any unusual bowel movement, affecting colour and texture, should heighten the alert status; if there is no change in 24 hours gets in touch with the Vet.
Loose skin generally suggests dehydration and dehydration is dangerous, especially in small animals. Make sure that your pet has access to an adequate supply of water and try to get it to drink more. Failing that, it’s another trip to the Vet’s where they will be able provide subcutaneous fluids (aka sub-Q's or Lactated Ringer's solution) and can take a closer look at the cause.
Another sign of dehydration is diarrhea; this can be caused by milk products. Ferrets are not lactose tolerant so if you have fed it a milk base product within the previous 24 hours, you can probably put down the diarrhea to that, but as usual keep a close eye on your pet and monitor its condition - the 24 hour rule will apply here as well.
A swollen and painful stomach can also suggest a problem. This could be due to an intestinal blockage or something more serious such as heart or major organ disease.
Tumors are quite common in Ferrets. Signs of tumors will be swellings, usually on the feet but of course, they can be anywhere on the body. A tumour isn’t necessarily life threatening; if it is benign(non-cancerous), you have the choice of having it removed however, any unusual lumps that appear on your pet should be investigated by the Vet, he will be able to take a tissue sample and perform a biopsy to determine whether it is malignant(cancerous) or benign.
Something to be aware of, especially in older Ferrets, is the sudden loss of active use of their hind quarters. This can be nothing more than Rheumatism setting in, or a reaction to a back or spinal injury, usually caused by aggressive and active play, but this can also be a major sign of something more serious.
Adrenal or insulinoma are potential killers if not caught and dealt with early enough. They have very similar symptoms to many other ailments, both major and minor such has difficulty in using the hind legs, pawing at the mouth, staring out into space etc., so if your pet starts to show any of these symptoms get it to the Vet.
Ferrets also have seizures or fits. This can be brought on my low sugar levels in the blood and if your Ferret does have one, you can try rubbing Honey or Syrup on its gums, in order to help it come out of a seizure and then get it to the Vet as quickly as you can.
There are a couple of other important things you should look for which I will quickly cover.
Ferrets do not like to be hot; overheating can lead to a loss of life from relatively low temperatures. Therefore, like a dog, you should never leave a Ferret in a car and if you do leave it outside on a hot day, ensure that it is has shade and a cool place to lie with plenty of water.
Internally, you shouldn’t put its bed or cage right next to radiators and you shouldn’t allow it to ‘nest and rest’ under radiators either.
Hair loss is also something to be aware of. Twice a year a Ferret will molt i.e. shed its existing fur for a new growth (see Home page for further details) and this is normal. What is not normal is if the Ferret starts to shed huge lumps of fur from the tail forward and there is no re-growth of new fur. This can be an indication that there is a tumour of the Adrenal gland and that it has Adrenal disease.
And of course, Ferrets do vomit! This could be for a number of simple straightforward reasons such spitting up a hair ball during molting or a reaction to over excitement. The next action as usual, is to carefully observe your pet to ensure that the vomit does not contain blood and is not continuous.
Ferrets can catch colds and flu and their symptoms are very similar to our own. Sneezing, runny noses, watery eyes and lethargy. The Ferret will normally slow down and drink a lot, but if it persists, get to the vet.
The list and advice could fill an entire website on its own, but as you can see from the information above, Ferrets are prone to all sorts of illnesses and ailments - some minor, others more serious.
The recommended action as always, is to observe your pet if it starts to show signs of unfamiliar behaviour and a physical change to its body, if you are concerned get the animal to the Vet straightaway.
.
For more information and help on Ferret illnesses visit http://www.ferretfacts.info/ - there's a lot of content and information waiting for you.
Regards
Walt
Pets are no different! Because you have got to know them, you can tell when they aren’t their normal selves.
Ferrets are no different except in one major area. Although they are normally healthy enough, a major disease can be fatal in a very short period of time; so they need watching over.
I’m not a Vet, but I have done a lot of research into Ferret ailments and I have found over time that having a quick reference guide that explains symptoms in general, has often helped me decide whether there is something serious going on that the Vet should see, or whether the little guy is just generally under the weather.
I’ve have reproduced notes that I have taken so that you too, in general terms, can have your own quick reference guide to Ferret ailments.
The first sign that all is not well is usually found in their behaviour. If they seem to be lethargic or aren’t tearing around in their usual manner when out of the cage, take a closer look. Are their eyes dull? Is there a loss of appetite? Is there a lack of bowel movement?
The litter tray is good place to go to next. Check to see that their stools are normal and not ‘pencil’ thin, if they are, this could suggest some kind of intestinal blockage. Any unusual bowel movement, affecting colour and texture, should heighten the alert status; if there is no change in 24 hours gets in touch with the Vet.
Loose skin generally suggests dehydration and dehydration is dangerous, especially in small animals. Make sure that your pet has access to an adequate supply of water and try to get it to drink more. Failing that, it’s another trip to the Vet’s where they will be able provide subcutaneous fluids (aka sub-Q's or Lactated Ringer's solution) and can take a closer look at the cause.
Another sign of dehydration is diarrhea; this can be caused by milk products. Ferrets are not lactose tolerant so if you have fed it a milk base product within the previous 24 hours, you can probably put down the diarrhea to that, but as usual keep a close eye on your pet and monitor its condition - the 24 hour rule will apply here as well.
A swollen and painful stomach can also suggest a problem. This could be due to an intestinal blockage or something more serious such as heart or major organ disease.
Tumors are quite common in Ferrets. Signs of tumors will be swellings, usually on the feet but of course, they can be anywhere on the body. A tumour isn’t necessarily life threatening; if it is benign(non-cancerous), you have the choice of having it removed however, any unusual lumps that appear on your pet should be investigated by the Vet, he will be able to take a tissue sample and perform a biopsy to determine whether it is malignant(cancerous) or benign.
Something to be aware of, especially in older Ferrets, is the sudden loss of active use of their hind quarters. This can be nothing more than Rheumatism setting in, or a reaction to a back or spinal injury, usually caused by aggressive and active play, but this can also be a major sign of something more serious.
Adrenal or insulinoma are potential killers if not caught and dealt with early enough. They have very similar symptoms to many other ailments, both major and minor such has difficulty in using the hind legs, pawing at the mouth, staring out into space etc., so if your pet starts to show any of these symptoms get it to the Vet.
Ferrets also have seizures or fits. This can be brought on my low sugar levels in the blood and if your Ferret does have one, you can try rubbing Honey or Syrup on its gums, in order to help it come out of a seizure and then get it to the Vet as quickly as you can.
There are a couple of other important things you should look for which I will quickly cover.
Ferrets do not like to be hot; overheating can lead to a loss of life from relatively low temperatures. Therefore, like a dog, you should never leave a Ferret in a car and if you do leave it outside on a hot day, ensure that it is has shade and a cool place to lie with plenty of water.
Internally, you shouldn’t put its bed or cage right next to radiators and you shouldn’t allow it to ‘nest and rest’ under radiators either.
Hair loss is also something to be aware of. Twice a year a Ferret will molt i.e. shed its existing fur for a new growth (see Home page for further details) and this is normal. What is not normal is if the Ferret starts to shed huge lumps of fur from the tail forward and there is no re-growth of new fur. This can be an indication that there is a tumour of the Adrenal gland and that it has Adrenal disease.
And of course, Ferrets do vomit! This could be for a number of simple straightforward reasons such spitting up a hair ball during molting or a reaction to over excitement. The next action as usual, is to carefully observe your pet to ensure that the vomit does not contain blood and is not continuous.
Ferrets can catch colds and flu and their symptoms are very similar to our own. Sneezing, runny noses, watery eyes and lethargy. The Ferret will normally slow down and drink a lot, but if it persists, get to the vet.
The list and advice could fill an entire website on its own, but as you can see from the information above, Ferrets are prone to all sorts of illnesses and ailments - some minor, others more serious.
The recommended action as always, is to observe your pet if it starts to show signs of unfamiliar behaviour and a physical change to its body, if you are concerned get the animal to the Vet straightaway.
.
For more information and help on Ferret illnesses visit http://www.ferretfacts.info/ - there's a lot of content and information waiting for you.
Regards
Walt
Baby Ferrets are known as Kits and need special care at first.
Young Ferrets - Home preparation and advice
So you’ve bought your Ferret, it’s been to the Vet, had the ‘once over’ and the necessary inoculations and it’s old enough to be taken home, but have you ‘Ferret proofed’ your house or at least, the areas in which your young Ferret will live?
A young Ferret, or a Kit as they are called (no matter which sex) are tremendous fun but they are also a lot of hard work and there are some basic and elementary checks that you should do before it becomes your house-mate.
Strangely enough it helps if you have the mindset of a convict trying to escape from prison, not that your Ferret will be conscious that it is trying to escape but the fact is, they are so inquisitive that they will sneak into any opening or hole that they can get into and sometimes that can lead to trouble; so make sure that the room that they will spend most of their time in, when out of the cage, doesn‘t present them with the opportunity to escape.
Ferrets do not have strong homing instincts, so most probably, they won’t be returning home if they get out into the wild and as they are domesticated, their chances of survival from predators are pretty slim, so ensure that there are no small gaps or openings that they can crawl through and that you don’t have a cat flap in the door of the room in which they are going to be kept and of course, make sure that they can‘t get out of an open window.
A major cause of trouble is their teeth as they are incredibly sharp and will allow your Ferret to bite through such things as electricity cables, phone wires, your Broadband connection……. I’m sure you get the idea, so you have to ensure that they can’t get at that type of thing.
If you are going to buy your new pet some toys (which you probably will do) make sure that they too are ‘Ferret approved.’ Dog toys aren’t any good, not unless they are made of strong materials that can’t be chewed or shredded. Remember ‘If you have soft bedding or soft toys, you have to make sure that your new pet can't chew off great lumps that it can then swallow; Ferrets are prone to having intestinal blockages which can kill them or require expensive surgery.
Ensure that their cage is large enough for them to run around in and to grow into…….you don’t want to be changing that every couple of years and you also need to make sure that there are plenty of places for them to sleep, so buy some hammocks or sleeping sacks as they will be sleeping for up to 18 hours a day or maybe longer!.
A new Ferret -v- existing children and other pets is quite a consideration. When your Ferret first arrives, it is recommended that you watch very closely, the interaction between it, your children and other pets.
A responsible caring child, that isn’t too rough and is properly supervised, will find that a Ferret is a great pet, similarly with dogs and cats; once they get used to the furry little newcomer and its ‘odor’ they will find that they have a really good new playmate, on the other hand, if they start taking chunks out of each other, you’ll need to keep them apart!
Health is another issue and of course, we have dealt with that separately, but there is one aspect of health that we should touch on in the context of young Ferrets.
Lymphoma is a common cancer found in young Ferrets under the age of 2. Juvenile lymph sarcoma can spread very quickly through the body and will affect the major organs, the disease is treatable but it is dependant on the age and health of your pet and the location of the cancer.
There are some warning signs and these are things that you would probably notice straightaway such as difficulty in breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss and coughing. In the event that your pet develops any of these symptoms, get it to the Vet as soon as you can.
Follow these simple steps and adjust accordingly as you get to know your new pet and you will have a wonderful life together, but don‘t forget, a Ferret is for life, not just for Christmas.’
For more information regarding Ferrets care and illnesses visit http://www.ferretfacts.info
Regards,
Walt
So you’ve bought your Ferret, it’s been to the Vet, had the ‘once over’ and the necessary inoculations and it’s old enough to be taken home, but have you ‘Ferret proofed’ your house or at least, the areas in which your young Ferret will live?
A young Ferret, or a Kit as they are called (no matter which sex) are tremendous fun but they are also a lot of hard work and there are some basic and elementary checks that you should do before it becomes your house-mate.
Strangely enough it helps if you have the mindset of a convict trying to escape from prison, not that your Ferret will be conscious that it is trying to escape but the fact is, they are so inquisitive that they will sneak into any opening or hole that they can get into and sometimes that can lead to trouble; so make sure that the room that they will spend most of their time in, when out of the cage, doesn‘t present them with the opportunity to escape.
Ferrets do not have strong homing instincts, so most probably, they won’t be returning home if they get out into the wild and as they are domesticated, their chances of survival from predators are pretty slim, so ensure that there are no small gaps or openings that they can crawl through and that you don’t have a cat flap in the door of the room in which they are going to be kept and of course, make sure that they can‘t get out of an open window.
A major cause of trouble is their teeth as they are incredibly sharp and will allow your Ferret to bite through such things as electricity cables, phone wires, your Broadband connection……. I’m sure you get the idea, so you have to ensure that they can’t get at that type of thing.
If you are going to buy your new pet some toys (which you probably will do) make sure that they too are ‘Ferret approved.’ Dog toys aren’t any good, not unless they are made of strong materials that can’t be chewed or shredded. Remember ‘If you have soft bedding or soft toys, you have to make sure that your new pet can't chew off great lumps that it can then swallow; Ferrets are prone to having intestinal blockages which can kill them or require expensive surgery.
Ensure that their cage is large enough for them to run around in and to grow into…….you don’t want to be changing that every couple of years and you also need to make sure that there are plenty of places for them to sleep, so buy some hammocks or sleeping sacks as they will be sleeping for up to 18 hours a day or maybe longer!.
A new Ferret -v- existing children and other pets is quite a consideration. When your Ferret first arrives, it is recommended that you watch very closely, the interaction between it, your children and other pets.
A responsible caring child, that isn’t too rough and is properly supervised, will find that a Ferret is a great pet, similarly with dogs and cats; once they get used to the furry little newcomer and its ‘odor’ they will find that they have a really good new playmate, on the other hand, if they start taking chunks out of each other, you’ll need to keep them apart!
Health is another issue and of course, we have dealt with that separately, but there is one aspect of health that we should touch on in the context of young Ferrets.
Lymphoma is a common cancer found in young Ferrets under the age of 2. Juvenile lymph sarcoma can spread very quickly through the body and will affect the major organs, the disease is treatable but it is dependant on the age and health of your pet and the location of the cancer.
There are some warning signs and these are things that you would probably notice straightaway such as difficulty in breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss and coughing. In the event that your pet develops any of these symptoms, get it to the Vet as soon as you can.
Follow these simple steps and adjust accordingly as you get to know your new pet and you will have a wonderful life together, but don‘t forget, a Ferret is for life, not just for Christmas.’
For more information regarding Ferrets care and illnesses visit http://www.ferretfacts.info
Regards,
Walt
Ferret Clothes - what the fashionable Ferret is wearing this season
Well, if you can dress your dog and cat up, why not your Ferret?
Ferret clothes are becoming something of a big hit with owners and pets alike and generally, one size fits all, so if you have a couple they can inter-change clothing.
There is now quite a range of fashion accessories for the little guys. Hats, with matching scarves. Roll neck sweaters and two tone sweaters, sweatshirts with hoods, jackets and little trousers with a hole for the tail!
All clothing is well made from soft durable, warm material. Some are made of cotton and fleece.
But contrary to popular belief, clothing doesn't actually make your Ferret any warmer or more comfortable than their natural coat does and don't forget, some pets may not like to look as if they are ready to step onto the catwalk at some high fashion show.
If you dress your Ferret up and it freaks, don't be surprised.......some just don't like to wear additional layers and the cute little hat probably keeps slipping down over his ears making him believe that he may be going deaf.
If you are going to make, or buy, clothing for your Ferret, there are some things that you should bear in mind. Don't make or buy clothes that are too tight; if a Ferret's movement are hampered they can become quite irritated.
Your ferret is a very active animal and needs plenty of room in which to move around in. Clothes can actually harm your pet especially if they are poorly made. If the clothes are showing signs of wear throw them out, otherwise your furry friend will be gnawing on the thread.
And finally, make sure the clothes are regularly washed and kept in their own drawer; it may be your favourite pet but at the end of the day, it is still an animal and animals do attract fleas and other kinds of irritants.
For a look at the latest Ferret fashions go to http://www.ferretclothes.info
Regards,
Walt
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