Month: April 2022

Ways to Get Rid of Ferret Smell and Odor

This infuriate odor of a ferret is one thing that every Ferret owner wish to get rid of. In this write up you will find out some ways to get rid of ferret smell and odor through very simple and effortless means. Here are some quick points which can help you in getting rid of Ferret smell and odor.

Ferret smells because this is its natural phenomena. We cannot get rid of the smell completely but there are means and measures through which the smell can be controlled.

1. If your first step is bathing your ferret everyday then trust me it is a bad idea. The more you will wash a ferret, the sooner its skin will become dry and in order to protect the dry skin ferret will secret oil which will again smell awful. So give bath only twice a week to reduce the awful stink of your ferret.

2. It is important that you change the bedding of your ferret at least once a week. This will allow your ferret stay in clean ambience and you will be able to protect yourself from its bad whiff.

3. It is mandatory change your ferrets litter pans everyday. If you are worried for the hygiene of your ferret and wish to give a relief to your nose then this step must be followed everyday.

4. Keep your ferret on a dry diet. A dry diet is rich in fat and protein but has low fiber content. Avoid giving food which has added preservative and color. Such food will make your ferret stink more severely. Also never feed your ferret with stale stinky food.

5. Make sure your ferrets cage is clean, spacious and is not kept beneath the sun. Whenever you fill the food bowls of your ferret fill them half full so that they do not spill it.

6. Do not let ear wax accumulate in your ferrets ears. This will make the ferret smell extremely bad. Clean them on a regular basis. Also keep visiting your ferrets dentist for assuring its teeth and cavities are in good shape and condition.

If you will follow the above 6 steps judiciously then your ferret will naturally become less smelly and you will be able to live in good ambiance. Just make sure you do these things in the right manner and at a right time.…

Ferret Diseases

Like humans, animals also have diseases that can be fatal to them. Ferrets are animals that have a very sensitive body and that they could easily get sick if not treated. Here are some of the ferret’s diseases and its symptoms and how they affect your pet ferrets.

Eclamptogenic toxemia and Nursing sickness – “Nursing sickness Syndrome” that affects pregnant and postparturient female ferrets. This ferret disease is not well documented but its symptoms are weakness, muscular in coordination and eventually death. To help reduce pre weaning deaths in kits, they should be given high calorie from meat, vitamins and minerals that that is suitable for cats should be given during pregnancy and lactating mothers.

Hyperestrogenism or estrogen Induced Anemia – Jills that have not been bred usually have high estrogen toxicity. Its clinical signs are bone marrow depression. Ferrets that are affected by this have bleeding disorders and bacterial infections. Other clinical signs are enlargement of the vulva, pale mucous, pneumonia, posterior paralysis and tarry feces. It is also associated by severe anemia and hemorrhagic diathisis. In order to prevent this disease, jills that are not intended for breeding should undergo ovariohysterectomy when they are about 6 to 8 months.

Nutritional Disease – Though ferrets and cats are not of the same family, but feeding ferrets with cat food reduces the risk of nutritional imbalance. Exposure to zinc (from galvanized food dishes and cage bars) may risk your ferret from zinc toxicity. If they are exposed to too much zinc about 500 ppm, they would lose weight due to decreasing of food intake especially on high zinc diets. 3000 ppm of zinc would be fatal to ferrets within two weeks. Soft, large and pale kidneys and fatty liver is the postmortem finding in this case. Eliminating the source of zinc and support therapy would help get your ferret back on their feet.

Gastrointestinal Foreign Body – This is usually caused by the obstruction of the GI track and is common to young ferret and sometimes older. Hyporexia to anorexia and sudden weight loss without vomiting are the clinical signs of this disease. Radiography or abdominal palpitation in used in order to identify the foreign object. Often times it can be retrieved by endoscopy, but most of the time it can only be removed surgically.

Dental Disease – Accumulation of dental calculus is the cause of periodontal disease in ferrets. Regular dental care is advised to avoid this. Chewing on cages or bones can damage its teeth. It can only be treated through tooth extraction or root canal.…

4 Ferret Home Examples

Ask any ferret owner about pet accessories and there is definitely a common answer. Nothing else but ferret home, cages and pens. Excitement often sets in when it comes to having a new pet and ferret lovers tend to make their big purchases on some of these items.

Ferret home choices and accessories are vital components of ferret owning. Besides, having a ferret is more of being responsible for another living thing. It does not end in buying the most suited equipment or giving them the best food choices. For at the end the day, what matters is your concern and true commitment.

There are many types of ferret choices and these options do vary based on your demands and needs. One great consideration in buying is of course the nature of your ferret pet. Is he the type who loves to play? You might also need to consider your own living space? Is buying a large ferret home a possibility?

Here are some samples of ferret homes.

   1. The first type is the bi-leveled cages. These homes usually come in two or three story type cages. It also has appropriate access like levers and stairs.

   2. Another popular type of ferret home is the multi-level cage. This cage is appropriate if paired with litter box and drinking containers. You can also place ferret accessories such as hammocks inside it.

   3. Tents and igloos may appear as accessories but these are likewise efficient as a ferret home. These items are very ideal for travelers who want to tag along their pets. These are also great choices for campers and hikers. Besides, the idea of bringing your favorite pet is a welcoming change to any weekender trip.

   4. Ferret tubes, small cocoon houses and ferret tunnels with hammocks are among the best choices for a possible ferret home. These come in various sizes and shapes as well as colors. A ferret owner will surely find these items great, as they can purchase these additional accents along with their chosen ferret cage.

Indeed, a ferret home is an essential and a necessity for ferrets. Given the natural ability of ferrets to play and roam around your living area, does not only give you a hint but a lineup of possible repercussions ahead. Their curiosity may also lead to accidents and relative dangers. So be prepared and utilize every chance to take care of your precious pet. Do not hesitate to shell out some cash and buy these ferret home options right away.…

Adopting Ferrets in Pairs

If you have decided to adopt a ferret you may be asked to consider adopting a second one at the same time. So what do you need to consider when adopting ferrets in pairs?

The reason you may be asked to think about adopting in pairs is quite simple. Ferrets are social animals and very quickly form bonds with other ferrets. If bonded pairs are split up it has been known for one, or both, of them to go into a depression and in some cases they have been so distressed at the split that they have died. Rescue centers and associations will not willingly break up a bonded pair and in fact some will only allow you to adopt pairs.

Before agreeing to take on a pair of ferrets you need to think about the impact this may have on your life. Have you got the space, time and more importantly money to look after two or more? Whatever you need to provide for one you will need for the second.. They will both need to be looked after and fed. They will also incur their own vets fees for shots, check- ups and any medical mishaps that occur.

However, having a pair can also be incredibly rewarding, both for you and your fuzzies. They love to play together and will have hours of fun chasing and play fighting with each other. If you have adopted a bonded pair then they will also have already established which is the more dominant and you do not have to go through a long process of introducing them to each other.

If the ferrets have already been neutered you don’t have to worry about which sex your pairing is either. Males and females will happily live together and if they have been altered so much the better as not only will you avoid having to look after and rehome several babies, but if your female is spayed her health will be improved as there is no chance of her entering season which can be fatal if she is not mated.…

Food for Ferrets – Make The Right Choice And Enjoy Many Healthy And Fun-Loving Years Together

So you’ve brought home a pair of ferrets-wonderful new pets for your family to enjoy and love. You’ve brought a cage and toys, as well as cozy bedding. But what do you feed them? Fortunately food for ferrets doesn’t have to be expensive.

Ferrets love meat, and when they live in the wild, they eat mice, rabbits, frogs, and bugs. But unless your home is infested with rodents or insects, you probably want to feed them something a little not as messy.

Many people who adopt ferrets choose to feed their new pets ferret food, available at most pet stores. These friendly little animals can eat cat food, too, although they should receive that which is formulated for kittens. They need more protein than cats do, especially when they are under five years of age. Look for a chicken-based cat food, which you should be able to find in any supermarket or big-box store.

Avoid any type of food for ferrets that contains a lot of fish. While ferrets love fish, it will make their litter boxes smell bad. So look for chicken or beef as the main ingredient for their usual food, and your ferrets-and you-will be happy.

But variety is important when it comes to food for ferrets. After all, eating the same thing day after day can be dull. And if you don’t provide some variety in your ferrets’ food, it will make it difficult for you to give them supplements or medications if they ever need it. Ferrets are generally very young when they determine what is food and what isn’t. You can’t expect a ferret that’s been raised on one type of kibble meal after to meal to suddenly accept something new.

So give them some real meat occasionally. Chicken, beef, or pork are good options as food for ferrets. You can feed it to them raw or cooked. Just keep in mind that a ferret that’s never eaten raw food before might experience stomach upset. So it’s a good idea to start them on raw meat early, allowing them to get used to it.

You can also give them shrimp or fish, but only small amounts. Again, this is mainly because it can cause their litter boxes to take on a strong, unpleasant smell that no one in the home-including the ferrets-will appreciate.

Food for ferrets can also include an occasional occasional. They like fruits and vegetables but these contain lots of fiber and sugar, so the ferrets can only handle very small amounts. Give them small-tiny, really-pieces of cucumbers or apples. You can even give them a bit of mashed bananas.

Avoid giving your pets dairy products as they become lactose intolerant after they are weaned. Also avoid any food that contains large amounts of vitamin A, such as carrots. This can be poisonous to ferrets. Never give chocolate, coffee, garlic, or onions to ferrets. Nor should any foods for ferrets be heavily seasoned or salted. Too much sugar is bad for them, too.

In general, food for ferrets should revolve around high quality kibble, a little raw meat and an occasional nibble or two of fruits and vegetables. Your veterinarian can advise you more specifically, especially if problems occur. But if you feed your new pet correctly, he’ll be with you for many years.…

The Basics of Ferret Care

What You Need To Know About Taking Care Of Your Beautiful Pet Ferret

Once you have purchased a beautiful ferret, the first thing that you need to do is to bring it to the veterinarian to have it checked if he is healthy. The veterinarian should verify that your newly purchased pet is free from any illness, if all necessary shots have been administered, and give it a general checkup.

It is worrying that you may have brought an ill ferret home that can bring a lot of problems into the household and the family. While your ferret is at the veterinary clinic, it should be groomed as well. They need all the cleaning and grooming they can get just like dogs and cats. Once you keep your ferret healthy and happy, it is sure to love you for the rest of its life.

There is also another thing you must consider about your pet ferrets. Ferrets are nocturnal creatures, meaning that they are awake on night times and this is certainly a good time to check how your pet ferret is doing, and if it is okay all by itself. You must have a play place for your ferret

Another thing that you must keep in mind, is that ferrets are predominately nocturnal creatures. Certain care for pet ferrets may include some quick trips in the middle of the night to see how your ferret is doing, and if it is getting along okay by itself. An essential item to have in your ferret care repertoire is a little ferret play place, which is more like an obstacle course for it to play, and this will keep him from getting bored and depressed since it will get a lot of exercise and jumping all throughout the night.

Leave him a few toys as well, better if you have squeaky toys or any toy that will create a bit of sound, just make sure these are the safe ones though. Once a ferret is bored it will only get depressed which will lead to illness and a short lifespan. Never be a bad ferret owner by neglecting its needs and wants, including the necessary playtime for it to stay happy and healthy.

Next thing on the list should be your pet ferret his health. They are carnivorous mammals in nature and a high protein diet is required – from poultry sources, beef, or pork. Seed protein and soya should only be secondary because ferrets need all the protein they can get. Without these necessary high-density protein, they will only shrivel, shrink, and stay unhealthy and unhappy.

Look for a brand that will provide the most high-density protein, lesser sugar, and lesser carbohydrates. Pet stores and online stores will provide you all the information you need about prices, brands, ingredients, contents, and everything you need to know. Make sure it drinks a lot of water from a water bottle so it wood not spill once your ferret trips them over. Ferrets are very energetic animals and they can get very playful that may spill food and water everywhere, including in its bed space and play place, so you need to carefully monitor if cleaning is required as often as necessary.…

Are Your Baby Ferrets Safe?

Baby ferrets are some of the most active and curious creatures you’ve ever seen. They have a tendency to get into everything, which makes it surprisingly hard to keep them safe. It requires a watchful eye to keep them out of harm’s way. There are some preventative measures you can take to make your job a lot easier though.

On the top of any preventative safety list needs to be vaccinations. The two primary vaccinations for baby ferrets are distemper and rabies. Distemper is a series of four shots usually a few weeks apart, but it is one of the most deadly things a ferret could get if contracted.

When it comes time to let your baby ferrets play, it may not be the best idea to let them roam free in a big house or apartment, at least not initially. There are so many things that you could overlook or just forget about during routine house maintenance. I’d suggest you go about ferret proofing your place systematically. You remove all items you consider a danger in one section then watch them play there. If there are no problems, you can move on should you so choose.

What kinds of things could be a danger to baby ferrets though? They have flexible skeletal systems and can squeeze into many things you wouldn’t think they could. The problem is, sometimes they get stuck and suffocate. Be aware of what kinds of things that they could put in their mouths. They may chew it up and break it, or swallow it and choke on it. These are common problems even with toys.

If your goal is to eventually let your baby ferrets roam the house freely, you always need to be aware of what spaces your movements are making that they could hide in. For example, they can climb into a space created under a recliner, so check before you lower the foot rest again. Also watch out when doing laundry.

Keeping baby ferrets safe isn’t an easy job by any means, but awareness is one of the keys. A simple aid would be getting a collar with a bell around it to let you know where your ferret is at all times. Always be a vigilant ferret parent and your kits will stay safe.…