What To Expect When Raising A Ferret

Ferrets can make great pets but pet ferret care may be very different from what you are used to with cats, dogs, hamster and other pets. Ferrets have been domesticated but they still adhere to a lot of their natural or wild behavior. For example most ferrets will sleep during the day and then become active at dawn and dusk.

It will do you a great deal of good to find out as much information about feeding ferrets as you can, as ferrets have a very different diet than most indoor pets. Ferrets are carnivores—that means that most plants hold absolutely no nutritional value for them. They also digest their food quite fast, so you will need to make sure that the food your ferret receives is full of the energy he needs.

Ferret food that is high in protein, fat and low in fiber is the best. You should never feed your ferret any other food then food specifically designed for ferrets as the nutrition will be all wrong. You also always need to have food for the ferret available at all times.

Ferrets can be trained to use the litter box, however you shouldn’t expect it to be as easy as training a cat, who has more of an instinct for litter than a ferret. Make sure that the litter is easy to access, and try to leave a bit of urine or feces in the litter instead of fully replacing it, as the scent will entice the ferret to associate the litter box as the proper area for relief. Also, make sure that the food and sleeping areas have their own distinct section of the cage. Ferret cages should be kept in a general state of tidiness.

Ferrets can naturally have a musky odor and no amount of cleaning will make it go away so just get used to your pet. Most recommended that you give your ferret an occasional bath but don’t overdo it. If you bathe your ferret too much it might make the glands start producing more oil and the scent can become overpowering.

Owning a ferret can be a wonderful experience, but you must be prepared for the responsibilities of owning one. Make sure that you research all of the ferret pet supplies that you will need, as well as eating and behavioral habits. It is even a good idea to look into the diseases and various conditions that ferrets are prone to and set up a regular vet schedule for check-ups.