Tips for Caring for Rabbits and Ferrets
Before you go out there and buy yourself a cute furry friend, you must remember that taking care of rabbits or ferrets is a difficult process, just like caring for any other animal. Don’t be misled by their small size; these animals can get into all sorts of trouble if you aren’t careful. So you should definitely focus on learning about how to care for them before you bring them home.
First and foremost, you will need a cage to house your pet. There are several varieties available in the market but you should pick the one that is big enough for your pet to reside in comfortably. Ferrets and rabbits do not have pads on their feet and so wire floors may cause injury. Hence it is imperative to lay some form of carpeting over the floor so that your pet can move around comfortably.
Once you have a satisfactory cage, you have to place a litter box in it; for ferrets you should purchase cheap clay litter and for rabbits use organic litters. Litter boxes are easily available in pet stores and once you find what you need, place it in a small box within the cage or outside if you’re allowing your pet to roam free. Remember that the litter box must be changed often to cut down on odors and prevent from any disease.
When feeding your ferret, keep in mind that they are carnivores and are unable to derive nutrition from plant sources. Thus, their diet should mainly consist of animal protein. Ferrets have fast metabolisms so you should always keep food available; they will eat every three to four hours and there should be enough food to satiate them. Dry foods made especially for ferrets are available at pet stores and offer an easy way to feed your ferret.
Make sure that your ferret always has access to clean water and be sure to refill his bowl when the level decreases. Avoid giving your ferret sweet foods including fruits. Rabbit food is also easily available in the market but you should supplement it with fresh vegetables to keep your pet healthy. You must also provide hay for your rabbit as it acts as roughage and prevents hairballs and blockages in the digestive system.
When it comes to hygiene, remember that although ferrets have a distinctly musky odor, you should not bathe them very often. Ideally, once a month is more than enough. Make sure that the bath water is warm to avoid hypothermia and give your ferret ample space to swim around in the water.
Rabbits are extremely susceptible to pneumonia so you have to make sure the water you use is warm enough. You do not need to drench a rabbit in water; rather, dip a cloth into warmed water, wring it out and dab your rabbit’s fur gently. Once you are done, dry him off as fast as possible. Luckily rabbits are generally very clean animals and so you will only need to do this occasionally.
Owning a pet is undoubtedly a rewarding experience but you must keep in mind the above guidelines to ensure that your pet has a long happy life ahead of him. Caring for rabbits and ferrets is fairly simple and by researching the techniques you will be able to easily handle any situation you come across.
Which are the essential Ferrets’ Accessories to Buy?
When we buy a pet, we would naturally like to keep it happy and healthy, like any other family member. Taking care of them can really prove to be one of the most rewarding jobs. Whether it’s a cat, dog, bunny or a ferret; they are all immensely lovable creatures who reciprocate every bit of care shown towards them with equal warmth. However, pets may take a little time to adjust to our living patterns and styles and to adopt the necessary restrictions. There a plethora of accessories available in the market for each of these, which help in making life comfortable for them. A lot of us have ferrets as pets at home, and would like to really prove great pet keepers for them. Appropriate accessories play a major role.
The basic accessories would include cages and cage accessories. You need to exercise great care in buying these, because the cage is actually the home for your ferret. You need to give them a comfortable home for a blissful living. Cages can be either high, or bungalow type. You would need a litter pan (or several of them, to scatter around), to fix into the cage, for toilet training. Then there could be the bungalow type cages for the lazier or ailing types. You could also have a bright coloured ferret hammock, to increase the floor area, inside the cage. You would need water bottles, and feeding bowls.
There could be feeding bowls which you could clip on the cage directly, or else loosely placed ceramic feeding bowls are also an alternative. We all know how much a ferret enjoys his digging into a biscuit bowl. To prevent the biscuits from scattering all over, there is the gravity bin-feeder, which stores a whole lot of biscuits and allows the ferret to even jump on it, without any scattering. You could also fit the cage with a stylish looking corner shelf, and fix a tiny ladder to access it. Most importantly, we should never forget how our ferrets love to escape from their cages; therefore you need special cage pins to ensure that the inmate can’t open it all by himself.
Along with these, the basic accessories would also include some stuff for personal hygiene like shampoos, deodorant sprays, nail clippers, combs, brushes etc. It’s important for bathing to be fun. Therefore, the ferret shampoos must be pH balanced and tearless and should also have conditioning properties and a mild fragrance. The hairbrushes should have soft bristles and a ferret like shape to make brushing easier. Regular brushing will maintain a shiny coat and also prevent hairballs from forming. A small wire brush may also be used for moulting ferrets since it goes right into the coat without scratching. As ferrets are fond of activities, shopping for a few toys would also come in handy. For example, you could buy some radio operated animals for them to chase around, or some flexible tubes to be used as tunnels.
Buy them a stylish bandana or a cap, as a gift, for good and regulated behavior, at least once a fortnight.
Everything You need to Know about a Ferret Tail Hair Loss
Ferrets are adorable pets. They have beautiful bright colors and are easy to tame. This makes these animals a popular choice for pets. However one needs to care for these animals in order to ensure that they are healthy. Besides feeding them you also need to ensure that they are maintained well and that they are kept hygienic. If you have a ferret at home you will need to invest time to learn more about your pet in order to safeguard him and keep him clear of any illnesses. Ferrets can have a variety of severe illnesses and hence it is important to care for them in the proper manner.
Ferrets tend to lose hair on their tails. There are several factors that lead to this condition and several preventive measures too. Seasonal molting plays a huge role in the amount of hair the animal loses. The amount of sunlight that your pet is exposed to has an impact on the amount of hair that it sheds. Pet owners will notice that their pet has a thick coat and fluffy tail during winter however during summer the tail tends to get thin.
Ferrets suffer from alopecia. This is a condition where the animal begins to show signs of bristly hair on the tails, blackheads and scales. This tends to be very overwhelming to new owners. In order to prevent this you need to speak with a veterinarian.
Hormonal imbalance can also lead to loss of hair on the ferret’s tail. The medical term for this condition is endocrine alopecia. Here you will notice the hair loss is due to changes in the hormonal balance. If your pet suffers from this condition he will show a specific pattern of hair loss. First it will lose hair on the hair followed by loss of hair on the legs and then on the rest of the body. This condition persists till the animal loses all its hair.
Prolonged durations of heat will also contribute to hair loss in ferrets. They are not accustomed to heat and this leads to hair loss. Other diseases like gland abnormalities along with the hot summer winds can lead to extreme hair loss.
You can also expect to see hair loss in your pets if they undergo any medical treatments. Like human beings these animals show some sort of side effects to medications and hair loss is one of the prominent side effects.
If the animal has lost hair due to a hormonal imbalance or due to extreme heat then you need not fear as it will grow a shiny coat in a matter of a few weeks. If you notice blackheads or scales around the tail then you need to brush the tail to get rid of the scales. This may not reduce the hair fall but it will help control further spread of the blackheads and scales. If you are concerned about the hair loss and your pet is showing signs of weakness then it is best to consult a vet to get a diagnosis about the condition.
How to Conduct Ferret Poop Training
All pets need to under go litter training. Unlike dogs, ferrets do not cover their litter. This can lead to health hazards if not taken care of immediately. Litter training for ferrets is not a difficult task and the person who is in charge of the animal needs to take responsibility for the actions of the pet.
Ferrets are known to take instructions from their owners and hence they make the best trainers. Before you set out to train the ferret you need to bond with it. This will help to break any barriers. If the animal fears you then he will not learn from you. Owners need to begin training the animal from the time they are brought home. You will notice that even if you have not yet begun training your animal he still picks a particular spot in the cage to litter. This will normally be a private spot in the cage. This is an indication that your pet is ready for litter training.
Ferrets learn when they are made to repeat actions. When they recognize patterns they will be able to repeat them. In order to train the animal in this manner you will need to offer them treats. This serves as positive reinforcement for your pet. Set a pattern for the animal to learn and he will be able to follow the steps.
Place a litter box inside your pet’s cage. This will help it to relate with the area. Use natural litter like wood shavings or leaves. This will help the animal to litter only in that specific area. You also need to determine the area that it normally litters in. Place the litter box in that area. If it is an unusual area then train the animal to use the area that you have specified for it.
Keep the cage clean however you can place some litter in the box. The smell of the litter will help your pet to understand the designated area where he needs to litter. The scent of the litter will lure the animal to use the same area. Remember not to place wet litter in cage or the litter box. This is because the animals tend to rub themselves after they litter. Wet litter may stick to parts of the body and may lead to an infection. This can be dangerous to the animal and the infection may spread to the members in family. In order to avoid such a risk it is best to use dry litter.
Litter training for ferrets is not complicated. The owners can train their animals to litter in the right place if they are consistent and patient. If you do not train your pet you run the risk of having a very smelly household.
Scoop any poop that is out of the litter box. This will help keep the cage clean and it will also help to prevent diseases and infections.
Using Ferret Litter Pans Wisely
Pets are adorable additions to the family, and we all get extremely fond of them as they grow. Nurturing them and training them can be one of the most fulfilling tasks to undertake, quite like bringing up a child. However, it’s important to have adequate knowledge of the nature and mannerisms of your pet. Each of them is distinctly different from the other. If you have a ferret at home, he can prove to be a cute and comfortable companion, provided you train him well to suit your lifestyle needs.
The biggest problem with the ferret is that it has a short intestine, and therefore the need to pee or poop is quite frequent. Though they are not exactly fastidious about hygiene, they are generally clean animals who normally back off to a corner, with their tails tucked inside when they want to pass stool or urine. Such mannerism are representative of their intelligence, and relatively clean habits. Though the ferrets come across as head strong creatures, it’s not all that impossible to train them. You just need time, patience and positive reinforcements to achieve success.
The best way to give litter training to ferrets is to use litter boxes and litter pans for the purpose. Ideally, you should have several literal pans at your disposal. While shopping for one, make sure that the size and the height are convenient for your ferret to use. For example, the litter pan should be low from the front side, so that the ferret can climb onto it. However, it needs to be high edged on the back side; because the ferret generally backs off when it urinates and defecates (he normally does both at the same time), and a lower edge could cause spilling over.
If you are planning to fit the litter pan into a cage, you would need a tight fit. Therefore get accurate measurements of your cage, before you buy the litter pan. They are available in a whole bouquet of shapes and sizes, custom made to suit your purpose. Also, shop for some non toxic pet litter to spread on these pans, which would absorb water and moisture from the faeces and urine.
The best way to start training is by confining the ferret within a smaller area. Like, you can keep the ferret in a cage and even block off a part of it. The litter pan should be tightly fitted so that there is no empty space left for it to perform its deeds. They would then be forced to use the litter pan. Also, you need to keep a little bit of excreta on the litter pan, to demarcate the area as the toilet area. The ferret would then, understand the purpose of the pan, better. Before taking him out to play, keep him in the cage for some time, and keep bringing him back at regular intervals.
You can keep multiple pans at various places (mostly frequented by the ferret, especially corners he is fond of), so that he can readily use them, when required. Most important, reward him each time he uses the pan for his toilet needs. This will tell him, that he has done the right thing.
Basic Ferret Feed Nutritional Tips
A baby ferret is known as a kit. The kit is dependant on the mother for 6 weeks and after this period it needs to be weaned. Providing the right food for your baby ferret is not difficult as the amount of canned and pre cooked food available in the market has increased drastically.
Ferrets are very picky about their food and they can make a huge fuss when it comes to eating healthy food. They tend to want to eat foods that are sweet or high in fats. This makes them obese or ill. It is important for you to give your pets the right diet in order to keep them healthy. Ferrets prefer to eat raw meats however this is dangerous to them as they may ingest the parasites from the meats and this will lead to them getting ill. Do not buy cat food for your ferret as it is high in protein and this will make the ferret lethargic. Dog food is high in taurine and causes cardiovascular issues with animals however ferrets require a small amount of taurine in their diets and hence you can feed the ferret with occasional dog treats.
These days it is not difficult to find ferret food options. The food options are specially formulated to meet the dietary requirement of all ferrets. Most pet stores have a stock of a variety of ferret food options. In addition to these foods you can also give your pets occasional treats. Canned foods, treats, boiled vegetables, mashed vegetables, fruits and high quality kitten food are good options for ferret foods. You could also treat your pets to vitamin supplements or even human baby foods. These are very good food options. If you opt to feed your pet fruits then you must avoid raisins and grapes as they are harmful to the ferrets.
Some of the other foods to avoid feeding a ferret are chocolates, sweets and other foods that are processed with refined sugars. Salty junk food could prove to be poisonous to ferrets and hence they must be avoided. Avoid feeding your pet nuts and table scrapings as they tend to make them obese. This will make it obese and lead to other severe health complications. Your ferrets will love dairy treats however they will harm more than benefit then and hence it is best to avoid feeding the ferret any dairy. Ferrets are extremely hyperactive and hence it is in your best interest to avoid caffeine based foods that will increase the animal’s activity levels. Alcohol and caffeine in a ferret’s diet can lead to cardio vascular disorders and this can be the cause of premature death.
Ferrets are unable to digest corn and hence it must be avoided. If the ferret eats large portions of corn they may suffer from digestive disorders and this may hamper the quality of their life.
Keep a strict watch over your ferret’s diet for the first 6 months. Maintain a proper diet in order to ensure that your pet is fit and healthy.
Ferret Facts for Children
Ferrets make great house pets. They are fun animals that the entire family can enjoy with. While this may be true one must also be aware of the fact that ferrets are not easy to maintain. These animals are closely related to the mink, pole cat and the weasel.
The lifespan of this animal is 8 to 10 years. The male is larger than the female. Some males are twice the size of their female counterparts. There are different species of ferrets and each species is differentiated by their color. These animals mate in the spring and summer months. The term of pregnancy is 42 days.
If you are introducing a ferret to your family then you need to be aware of a few facts. These animals have a keen sense of smell however they are short sighted and they do not have a good sense of hearing either. They have extremely sensitive whiskers and this makes them very tactile animals. Ferrets are very good swimmers and they also dig very well.
There are many myths and assumptions about ferrets. This stems from the fact that not many people are aware of the origin of this animal. The wild ferrets were domesticated by hunters who trained these animals to catch larger rats and rodents.
The Romans were the first people to domesticate ferrets. This domestication has led to the animals not being able to survive in the wild. Families who adopt ferrets but are unable to care for them are advised to leave their pets in a shelter as they will not be able to hunt for food or sustain themselves in the wild.
The features and colors of the ferrets make them very attractive. Some have red eyes while others have pink coats. You can also find ferrets that have black or golden coats and even more distinct ones with blue black coats. Cinnamon ferrets have a golden undercoat with a white overall look. They also have a reddish tinge to their coats. The Siamese ferrets have very distinct thick tails.
Before you bring a ferret home you also need to ensure that you are aware of their diet. Sweet and salty foods are harmful to these animals and hence you must avoid these foods. In addition to this, you also need to avoid feeding them nuts and raisins. Any foods that contain caffeine and alcohol will shorten the ferret’s lifespan and hence they must be avoided. A ferret’s diet can consist of boiled and mashed fruits and vegetables. You could also feed them cooked meats. Avoid feeding them table scrapings.
Ferrets tend to lose weight on their body. A variety of factors lead to this condition. Heat and extended periods of sun can hamper your pet and led to hair loss. Hormonal imbalances and gland abnormalities also cause loss of hair.
Ensure that you are aware of all the essential facts about these fascinating animals before you introduce them as pets in your home.
