Things You Need To Know About Ferret Care
Ferrets are cute, cuddly pets that can reward their owners with lots of fun and laughter. They should be taken good care of and trained well, in order to turn them into well-behaved pets.
These exotic little pets are highly inquisitive and are usually very playful and mischievous. In fact, their name is a derivation of the word thief.
They occasionally nip at the fingers, and must be trained to give up that habit. They don’t need stern punishment of any sort to learn good pet habits; giving them treats in the form of their favorite snacks, can do the trick.
Caring for ferrets include a variety of things. Their diet should be well taken care of. They usually need a nutritional value that’s high in protein and calorie content to balance their activities. Lack of water content in their diet can cause Diarrhea, so you want to ensure your ferret is properly hydrated at all times.
Ferrets usually sleep for 18 hours a day, but this is gradually adjusted to their caregivers’ schedules. During those “bouncy, energy-filled hours”, it is good to bond with your pet by gently cuddling him, while softly speaking to him, for 5 to 10 minutes, at least a few times a day.
Vaccination, de-scenting and neutering should be done at the appropriate time. De-scenting is done by removing the anal glands that supposedly give out a distinctive odor, although there are arguments about the need for this procedure. Vaccination is highly recommended as ferrets tend to contract Canine Distemper, which can be a terminal illness for ferrets. They are also vulnerable to Coccidia, which are single celled parasites that cause Diarrhea in ferrets.
Take your ferret for a regular check-up to ensure he is healthy. This can be inferred by looking at their walk, the color of their feces and the general activity. They don’t usually tend to be lethargic, hence lesser activities can something signal a bacterial infection.
Providing playthings and toys to your pet is also an excellent idea. They are very playful, curious, and hyper in nature, and require regular mental stimulation. When choosing the right toy, pick the ones that can appeal to your ferret’s inquisitive nature. Make sure these toys are neither plastic nor latex, as your ferret can chew on them, possibly harming themselves in the process. Cardboard boxes, ferret balls, sturdy toys used for cats, bells, tubes and rings for hanging make great toys to keep the ferret busy and active. Avoid smaller objects that the ferrets can swallow as such objects can choke them.
Ferrets shouldn’t be punished for not doing the proper things e.g. nipping or not using the litter box. As your pet matures, start rewarding him with his favorite treats whenever he does what you want him to. This is a great training tool, especially when you really want to see results.
