Diet
- Ferrets are
true carnivores; they cannot handle fiber greater than 4%.
- Commercial
diets specifically formulated for ferrets are recommended; eg,
Totally Ferret (Performance Foods, Inc), Forti Diet (Kaytee Products,
Inc), Marshal Ferret Diet (Marshall Pet Products, Inc.).
- To convert
ferrets from dry cat food to ferret food: pulverize the cat food
so that it approximates the size of the ferret food; gradually
mix in the ferret food: start with 90% cat food, 10% ferret food,
and over 2-3 weeks change the proportions until you reach 100%
ferret food.
- Avoid added
salt in the diet.
- Food intake
(dry matter) is approximately 20-40g/day/adult ferret.
- Fresh water
must always be available.
- Although
many ferrets enjoy sweets, dairy products, raisins, fruits and
vegetables, ingestion should be limited. Many will produce diarrhea
and ferrets cannot digest the fiber in many fruits and vegetables.
Behavior
- Ferrets are
good-natured, playful, non-aggressive, non-territorial, and require
a fair amount of attention.
- They are
very active and curious animal that enjoy the company of humans
and other animals.
- They maintain
their playfulness throughout their lives.
- Ferrets are
not exclusively diurnal or nocturnal: they are usually most active
in the early morning and evening but their natural schedule can
be changed to coincide with their owners.
- They are
best suited to run around free in the home, where they can be
taught to use a litter box like a cat. It is advisable to have
a litter box in every room or area where the ferret spends a great
deal of time. Place litter boxes in corners.
- Ferrets are
extremely inquisitive, agile and get into everything; they attack
household plants, steal socks, push things down from shelves.
- Ferrets should
be caged when unattended. This prevents incalculable damage to
your home, and prevents the dangers of injury, toxicity and escape
of the ferret.
- Ferrets steal
items they treasure and drag things back into nooks and corners
– most ferrets have stashes in several locations around a
home.
- Ferrets like
to get into tight spaces – if they can get their head in,
the body will follow. They like sacks, tunnels, pillow cases,
drawers, clothing, ducts, boxes, cupboards and cabinets.
- Both genders
become less stressed if they are neutered.
- Ferrets tend
to bite and latch onto toys; early discipline and training will
eliminate nipping and biting when they are older (licking not
acceptable; "ferret kisses" not recommended).
- Ferrets easily
adapt to a harness and lead.
- They travel
well, and love to go places. A standard dog or cat carrier, equipped
with a small litter box is adequate for a ferret.
- Ferrets are
quiet. The only vocalizations they make are chuckles and giggles
during play.
- Occasionally
ferrets will whine or cry when they want something, or if they
are in pain or ill.
- Eliminate
toys of rubber, strings, plastics than can be ingested.
Information
taken from The Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook For Veterinarians.
The Animal Health
Clinic recommends annual wellness visits and vaccinations for all
ferrets. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at: 701-237-9310
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