Experience Level: Advanced

• Life expectancy: 5-8 years

• Carnivore

• Community-oriented

The ferret is a bright-eyed, intelligent pet that will give you years of enjoyment. Ferrets were bred domestically, as pets, for hundreds of years. They are wonderfully entertaining companions that will easily fit into many households. Originally, from Europe, ferrets are often called “fetch ferrets” or “polecats.”

Handling

Ferrets can be challenging to hold onto as they can be wiggly and quick! Properly hold the ferret by placing one hand under their chest and lifting the bottom with the other. Don’t leave them “hanging” by only holding the ferret by their torso. Keep the ferret away from your face, as they do not have the best eyesight and may nibble out of curiosity.

When juveniles (kits) play with each other, they nip hard but their thick skin hardly notices. When the kit is playing with you, they may nip, not realizing that your skin is not as thick as their own. Ask your pet counsellor for tips on how to gently let your new kit know that biting is not tolerable. Much like a puppy, the ferret will largely “outgrow” this phase, but will still need to be trained that it is not acceptable behaviour.

Our pet counsellors are small animal lovers; because they are, they hold and play with all the small animals in our store. Our guests also play a big part in our small animal’s social skills. This is why Petland’s small animals are quick to bond with their new owner.

Petland Ferret Care Program

Our consulting store veterinarian serves as each kit’s (baby ferret) pediatrician. Our pet technician is in regular contact with the store veterinarian to ensure that each kit receives optimum care. We recommend a visit to your veterinarian to discuss continued care. If you do not have a veterinarian, we would be happy to recommend one. Annual vaccinations are necessary to help ensure your ferrets continued good health.

When ferrets arrive at Petland, their lifetime ferret care begins. We examine them, bathe them, and put them on a nourishing diet. We monitor weight gain, activity levels and litter box contents, and keep this information on their health chart. Grooming care, such as brushing, clipping nails, and cleaning ears are part of our daily routine, so it will not be a surprise to your kit when you continue this program at home.

To provide a happy, healthy atmosphere for your ferret, Petland recommends the following necessary and fun accessories. We have listed them as your new pet’s 4 Basic Needs: Environmental, Behavioural, Nutritional, and Maintenance. When you meet these needs and provide a loving environment, your ferret can live a long and happy life.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Enclosure – Your ferret will need a place of their own where they can find security and quiet time. A large cage with multiple levels is ideal.  

No matter how large the living quarters, your ferret will need physical and social stimulation, which no cage can provide. Ferrets are similar to toddlers in their ability to explore and get into anything, so ferret-proofing is a must. Consider protecting electrical cords, ensuring house plants are out of reach, and that unsafe spaces are closed off. Supervise their out-of-cage time, and it will become an enjoyable experience for everyone!

Hammock – Attached to the top of the cage, a hammock makes a suspended sleep and play area. At first your kit probably cannot reach it, but soon they will be swinging, playing, and sleeping in their own hanging loft.

Sleeping Sack – This cozy sleeping area is placed on the floor of the enclosure for your ferret to snuggle into. Different varieties are available.

BEHAVIOURAL

Toys – Ferrets love to play, and it is through play that they relieve tension and boredom. Toys are fun! Giving them their own toys keeps them away from your belongings. It’s important that you provide a variety of safe toys. Consider toys that may become a chewing hazard like latex dog toys or fabric toys that can fray. Toys that float in water can be outside-of-cage-time particularly fun! Check the cat department for more options.

Tunnels and Tubes – Providing ferrets with tunnels and tubes to hide and play in will satisfy their fun-loving nature.

Harness and Leash – Ferrets enjoy walking on a leash. Your pet counsellor will help you fit your ferret with the proper size of ferret harness, so your little pet can get some fresh air without the worry of them escaping.

NUTRITIONAL

Ferret Pellets – Pellets are formulated to contain a correct balance of all the essential nutrients that your ferret needs each day, and is their primary diet. Ferrets are usually free-fed.  

Note, that many small animals are susceptible to diarrhea, especially when new foods are introduced too quickly or they encounter a stressful situation (i.e. being adopted). By providing food that is familiar to them, including the brand of pellets, their digestive systems will prevent this type of health problem.

Treats – Treats play an important role in your ferret’s day-to-day routine. Treats reinforce good behaviour and can promote bonding between you and your ferret. Try several varieties of ferret-specific treats to see which one they like best.

Moss Hollow Adapt – Using Moss Hollow Adapt, while minimizing stress, can help your new pet adapt to their new home by promoting relaxation from stress caused by the environment (Echinacea), offering a prebiotic for building gut flora (Burdock Root), easing diarrhea (Psyllium Husk), increasing palatability (Wheatgrass), providing a natural dewormer (Diatomaceous Earth), and nutrient-rich clay (Bentonite). This veterinary health product uses natural ingredients which can aid all small animals before symptoms emerge.

Skin and Coat Supplement – Any ferret owner will tell you that once their ferret tastes this supplement, they love it! You will love the result too, which is a soft, shiny coat. It can be used to distract the ferret as you conduct routine maintenance like nail trims.

MAINTENANCE

Water Bottle – When your ferret is in their cage, use a large water bottle to keep their water clean. Fresh water must be available at all times and replaced daily. When your ferret is outside of their cage, give them water from a ceramic dish. Ferrets love to play in water dishes! Their water dish will always be a source of fun. 

Water bottles need to be kept clean of bacterial growth. Use a bottle brush set with dish soap and water to clean both the inside of the bottle and the inner surface of the stainless-steel drinking tube.

Ceramic Dishes – Ceramic dishes are easy to clean, cannot be chewed, and are difficult to tip over. You will need one for pellets and one for water.

Substrate – A pet mat or blanket that will not fray is recommended for your ferret. Other substrate options may be consumed by your ferret, potentially leading to a medical emergency. Check the pet mat or blanket daily for signs of being eaten or worn.

Litter Box – Your ferret will have had a start to their litter training habits before they go home with you. It is now up to you to continue the process. Ferrets, unlike cats, do not have the desire to bury their waste. They will go anywhere that there happens to be a convenient corner. We recommend that you purchase multiple litter boxes if you plan for your ferret to have the full run of your home. Typically, we will recommend a triangular ferret litter pan with high sides.

Non-Clumping Litter – Recycled newspaper litter is a very good choice for ferrets. It is dust free and not as much fun to play in as other litters. If you are unable to use this, then clay litter is an acceptable second choice. Do not use clumping litter, as it will scatter easily and may get into your ferret’s eyes and nose causing health problems. Spot clean your ferret pan daily with a litter scoop. We recommend leaving a small amount of fecal material in the pan to serve as a reminder.

Cage Cleaner – Select a small animal cage cleaner that has a natural enzyme-based formula to permanently break down stains and odours. Clean the cage once a week using a pet safe cleaner or hot water and mild soap. Rinse well and dry. Do not use bleach, or other household cleaners, which will irritate your ferret’s respiratory system, or even cause worse problems.

Brushes – Your ferret will enjoy the attention of getting a daily grooming. Grooming gloves, rubber brushes, or soft bristle brushes are good grooming tools. This will encourage a shiny coat and is a great opportunity to bond. Rewarding your ferret after grooming sessions will make this something to look forward to.

Shampoo – Your ferret will love to get down and dirty, which is pretty easy for an animal that is so low to the ground. They will roll and slither in whatever they find appealing, which is almost anything. We recommend that you bathe your ferret once a month with a ferret-specific. Always dry your ferret thoroughly after the bath and keep them out of drafts.

Deodorizing Spray – This will help to keep your ferret fresh between bathing.

Ear Cleaning – A ferret’s ears are delicate. They have soft folds that may collect dirt and debris. Use a cotton ball and an ear-cleaning solution found in the dog or cat section of your Petland store. Gently wipe away any visible debris. Careful when using cotton swabs; one sudden move by your ferret could cause the swab to go in too deep.

Nail Clippers and Coagulant – Use nail clippers made for small animals to keep your ferret’s nails trimmed. Your pet counsellor will show you how to do this. Take care not to over trim or cut into blood vessels running through each nail. Keep a blood coagulant on hand in case this happens.

Cleanliness and Safety

All pets can potentially carry diseases that may be contagious to people. Young children, infants, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with pets or their environments. Regular cleaning of your pet’s environment with a pet safe cleaner may help avoid the spread of contaminants.

Hygiene procedures such as washing your hands before and after handling your pet and/or after having any contact with their habitat, is a necessary routine. Children should be assisted with hand washing and always have adult supervision when interacting with pets. 

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