As a ferret owner, you now have a responsibility in ensuring your new pet's health and well-being. By following the simple guidelines outlined below, your ferret should bring you many years of enjoyment.

As you probably know by now your ferret is a highly energized pet. A healthy ferret should be alert, inquisitive and bright eyed. If just awakened, ferrets may be slightly lethargic at first but should respond to handling in a few minutes. All ferrets have a high metabolic rate and require a diet high in protein. Ferrets have a very high metabolic rate and tend to nibble food off-and-on all day in order to meet their caloric needs. They are carnivorous animals and there are a number of commercial ferret foods available. Zupreem ferret diets and Ultra Blend Ultimate ferret diet by 8 in 1 Pet Products are two of our favorite ferret diets. In general, look for diets that are 32-36% protein with the first ingredient listed being a high quality animal-based protein which is 85-90% digestible (for example, poultry by-product not poultry meal).Always make fresh water available. Ferrets will also eat fruits such as watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, raisins and bananas, but please don't overdo it as they can sometimes upset the intestinal tract. Pieces of cooked chicken are also well-received as a treat.

Most ferrets have already been spayed or neutered and descented when purchased from the pet store. Unspayed female ferrets will not go out of heat unless they are bred or given a hormone injection by your veterinarian. When in heat the vulva will swell markedly. If they stay in heat for extensive periods, they can develop life-threatening anemia (low blood count). Therefore, if you do not plan to breed your female ferret, she should be spayed. Intact male ferrets should be neutered as it cuts back on smelly body gland discharges and makes them more docile and friendly. All ferrets have musk producing glands located at the base of the tail, around the anus. When angry, excited, or when the female is in heat, a malodorous discharge is secreted. Descenting is highly recommended and can be performed at the time of neutering or spaying, or at 4-5 months of age. If you are planning to breed your ferret, females are polyestrous, meaning they come into heat twice yearly, usually in March and August. The heat cycle may last 120 days and is recognized by vulva edema and swelling. Gestation of the ferret is 38 - 44 days, with litters ranging between 2 - 17 kits. We refer to males as "hobs" and females as "jills".

Your ferret is susceptible to potentially fatal illnesses and should be immunized against them. Ferrets may be protected against Canine Distemper by vaccinating at 8-10 weeks of age and again at 14-16 weeks of age. Canine Distemper is universally fatal in ferrets if contracted. Signs of illness with distemper include ocular discharge, diarrhea, thickening of the foot pads, nasal discharge and respiratory infection with eventual seizures and death. We also recommend vaccinating ferrets against Rabies. The initial Rabies vaccine is given at 14-16 weeks of age. Vaccinations for Canine Distemper and Rabies should be boostered annually.

Along with vaccinations, a yearly stool (feces) exam should be checked for internal parasites. Ear mite infestation is also common and if present may be evidenced by repeated scratching at the ears, shaking of the head, or the presence of a dark, waxy ear debris. As with dogs and cats, flea control is important. Studies have shown Advantage®, a topical spot-on flea product that kills virtually all the fleas on your pet within 24 hours of application, is both safe and effective. The less than 9 pounds feline Advantage® product is recommended. Ferrets are also susceptible to heartworm disease and we recommend a monthly heartworm preventative.

Ferrets can get heartworms too! This heart was taken from a ferret who presented with a sudden onset of labored breathing and coughing. Unfortunately he died soon after being hospitalized—it takes only one or two heartworms to cause severe disease in the ferret. Ferret heartworm can be prevented by giving a once a month preventative medicine similar to that suggested for your dog or cat.

Do ferret-proof your house! Block off tiny spaces such as the bottom of stove and refrigerator. Ferrets love to hide in small spaces so you may wish to attach a bell to his/her collar in order to know where your friend is exploring. Caution must be taken to check bags, laundry, and other items before emptying them. Ferrets are curious animals and will get into anything and everything. They will also hide their food, so watch them carefully to make sure they are not eating stale food which may cause gastrointestinal disorders. Don't let your ferret run out of your house unsupervised or without a leash. As a result of predators and temperature extremes a ferret will have a difficult time of surviving on its own out in the world.

Image 1

This rubber plug (figure 1) was surgically removed from a ferret’s intestines where it had become lodged and created a blockage. The dime is there for size reference only. Ferrets love to chew on soft rubber products—so please ferret proof your home and make sure there is no access to such objects as door stops, pillow foam, sneaker insoles or flip-flop shoes, furniture protectors, etc.. The ferret was very sick with vomiting and dark, tarry stools (figure 2). Any time you see this kind of abnormal stool it warrants a trip to the veterinarians to have an exam to determine the cause.

Image 2

Ferrets are especially fond of chewing on soft rubber items. Keep rubber toys, foam pillows, door stops, or other rubber items away from your ferret as they may be chewed and swallowed which may result in an intestinal blockage. Signs of an intestinal blockage include a lack of appetite, vomiting, grinding of the teeth as the result of intestinal pain, and lethargy. Ferrets are also prone to developing hairballs in their stomachs. Ferrets with hairballs will be anorexic, have dark, tarry stools and be lethargic. Feline hairball remedies can be used in ferrets to prevent hairball formation.

Hairballs are not uncommon in the ferret. These hairballs were surgically
removed from a ferret’s stomach because they were causing a lack of
appetite, lethargy, diarrhea and weight loss. Cat hairball laxative can be
given to ferrets twice week in order to prevent hairball formation.

By following these simple guidelines, your ferret, with proper health care and supervision, will be around for a long time!