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How To Care For Ferrets
How to care for ferrets: If you're interested in owning a ferret or perhaps have one or two already, follow Vauxhall City Farm's step by step guide to caring for your ferret. Learn how to care for these mellow tempered, clean, curious and intelligent animals with VideoJug's advice.
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Step 1:
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Housing and bedding
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Keep your ferret indoors, in a large wire cage.
The bottom of the cage should be solid and flat. Cover this with a thick layer of wood shavings or hay. Put some extra hay in for bedding.
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Step 2:
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Handling
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Ferrets should be held regularly to keep them tame. They should be held under their front legs, with the rest of their body dangling down. This is good for their backs.
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Step 3:
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Diet
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Ferrets are meat eaters. Give each ferret a handful of dried ferret or kitten food every day. Give them occasional small chunks of fresh fruit and vegetables as a treat.
You'll also need to provide a constant supply of clean drinking water in a heavy bowl or drip feed bottle with a metal spout.
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Step 4:
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Exercise and play
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Ferrets will often sleep for 15 to 20 hours a day, but when awake, ferrets are very mischievous. The more you entertain them, the happier and less naughty they'll be.
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Step 5:
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Cleaning
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Tidy your ferret's home everyday, and give it a thorough clean once a week. Frequent cleaning will make the ferret's characteristic musky smell less noticeable.
Put the ferrets into a pet carrier while you clean. Remove all bowls and toys. Completely clear the old wood shavings from their house using a dustpan and brush, and wipe away any droppings that are stuck to surfaces.
Refill the house with shavings of about an inch in depth.
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Step 6:
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Grooming
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Ferrets enjoy being groomed, and it helps keep them tame. Hold the ferret in your lap, and gently brush its fur using a grooming brush or mitt.
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Step 7:
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Health
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Check your ferret every day for changes in it's health. A healthy ferret should have bright, clean eyes and a full, shiny coat. It's nose, mouth, eyes and rear end should also be free from any redness or inflammation.
Check the ferret's feet and nails. If they are too long, they'll need to be trimmed. If you've never done this before, get a vet to show you how.
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