Post by JAMFuzzies on Jun 3, 2008 0:53:54 GMT -5
" Ferrets are a pretty big responsibility. Unfortunately they aren’t even legal to own in some places. They are completely illegal in California and Hawaii. You can’t have them in places such as New York City either. If you’re caught with a ferret where it’s illegal to own them, there’s no telling what will happen to him/her. Keeping a ferret where it is illegal is endangering the ferret’s life! Some places require permits, I have to pay ten dollars a year in my state. So it’s a safe bet to do research and find out what’s required for ferrets ownership where you live, if anything.
Ferrets are not cage animals. You can’t expect to purchase a ferret and have it be content in a cage all day. They need time out of the cage every day. Exercise balls, like ones for hamsters, even the big ones, are not safe for ferrets. They can damage a Ferret’s back. There’s really no point in them anyway. Ferrets don’t want to roll around, they want their freedom too.
You’ll also have to do research for the right diet for your ferret. Their diets are similar to that of a cat's. There are specifice foods made for Ferrets, though some of those aren't something you'd want to feed your Ferrets. Just make sure you do your research and know you're feeding your Ferret the right thing. Some people do feed Ferrets cat/kitten food. It’s also a smart idea to buy a few different foods. This helps in the long run. Say a certain brand of food stops manufacturing, you’ll need a replacement and some Ferrets are very picky when it comes to what they’ll eat. It’s good to give them a choice/variety, and get them accustomed to other foods just in case something bad happens. They need a food with taurine, which is found in most cat foods and a high level of protein.
You’ll also need to do research on cage information. I have four Ferrets who share a four-story cage. More specifically, The Ferret Penthouse (F-470) which was purchased at Martin's Cages. The size of the cage all depends on the number of Ferrets you have. Ferrets can be, and should definitely be litter box trained. It makes it easier for everyone trust me! Each Ferret will learn differently, some may never do it, but most can be successfully litter box trained. I’d avoid the small triangular corner litter boxes if I were you. A lot of ferrets don’t like them because of their size. A Ferret likes to fit comfortably in their potties. Some are very stubborn about this thing, some will do it with no problem. Ferrets are very intelligent creatures, who know quite a lot more than they let on. There are tons of litter out there. Some people use woodstove pellets, they work great. You can also use recycled newspaper pellets, and the like. It’s not smart to use the tiny crystal type cat litter or the sand type either. This can hurt your ferret more than help it. The sand can go up their nose/mouths and really damage your ferret. Also the crystal kind can get stuck in certain places where they shouldn’t go, and I think it’s safe to say a Ferret won’t appreciate that.
When a Ferret has to a go, a Ferret has to go! And this happens often. Food is digested very quickly. About every three to four hours they will do their duties. Which is why Ferrets eat so many times a day. It passes through so quickly! Food should always be available, as well as fresh water. Unless the Ferret is on a special diet for say, medical reasons.
Ferrets don’t require much bathing time at all. Twice a year is fine, but no more than once a month. Bathing too often can dry out a Ferret's sensitive skin. Also, over bathing can lead to the oil of the skin washing away. The oil glands work overtime to produce more, causing your ferret to smell more than he/she did before the bath.
You’ll also find that Ferrets are happy playing with just about anything, mostly things they know they aren’t supposed to! You spend a lot of money on fancy shmancy toys, and they stick their nose at them and go play with your sock instead. How sweet.
There are lots of other things you may want/need to know so make sure you do your research. Whether it be online or in a book. Not everyone has their facts correct so be sure to compare and to know you’re getting the right facts.
Ferrets do become very attached to their owners, so it's best in all cases that you don't get a Ferret if you can't dedicate the time, attention and love they need. Giving up a ferret can cause them to go into a depression and we don't want that.
If you decide your lifestyle is right for a Ferret and you have the time, patience and love for one or more. I'm very sure you won't regret it. They are seriously the most loveable animals I have ever seen in my life. They are beautiful creatures, with personality that can't be matched. They are very interesting and entertaining animals! They have given me so much, and I love them with all my heart!"
Ferrets are not cage animals. You can’t expect to purchase a ferret and have it be content in a cage all day. They need time out of the cage every day. Exercise balls, like ones for hamsters, even the big ones, are not safe for ferrets. They can damage a Ferret’s back. There’s really no point in them anyway. Ferrets don’t want to roll around, they want their freedom too.
You’ll also have to do research for the right diet for your ferret. Their diets are similar to that of a cat's. There are specifice foods made for Ferrets, though some of those aren't something you'd want to feed your Ferrets. Just make sure you do your research and know you're feeding your Ferret the right thing. Some people do feed Ferrets cat/kitten food. It’s also a smart idea to buy a few different foods. This helps in the long run. Say a certain brand of food stops manufacturing, you’ll need a replacement and some Ferrets are very picky when it comes to what they’ll eat. It’s good to give them a choice/variety, and get them accustomed to other foods just in case something bad happens. They need a food with taurine, which is found in most cat foods and a high level of protein.
You’ll also need to do research on cage information. I have four Ferrets who share a four-story cage. More specifically, The Ferret Penthouse (F-470) which was purchased at Martin's Cages. The size of the cage all depends on the number of Ferrets you have. Ferrets can be, and should definitely be litter box trained. It makes it easier for everyone trust me! Each Ferret will learn differently, some may never do it, but most can be successfully litter box trained. I’d avoid the small triangular corner litter boxes if I were you. A lot of ferrets don’t like them because of their size. A Ferret likes to fit comfortably in their potties. Some are very stubborn about this thing, some will do it with no problem. Ferrets are very intelligent creatures, who know quite a lot more than they let on. There are tons of litter out there. Some people use woodstove pellets, they work great. You can also use recycled newspaper pellets, and the like. It’s not smart to use the tiny crystal type cat litter or the sand type either. This can hurt your ferret more than help it. The sand can go up their nose/mouths and really damage your ferret. Also the crystal kind can get stuck in certain places where they shouldn’t go, and I think it’s safe to say a Ferret won’t appreciate that.
When a Ferret has to a go, a Ferret has to go! And this happens often. Food is digested very quickly. About every three to four hours they will do their duties. Which is why Ferrets eat so many times a day. It passes through so quickly! Food should always be available, as well as fresh water. Unless the Ferret is on a special diet for say, medical reasons.
Ferrets don’t require much bathing time at all. Twice a year is fine, but no more than once a month. Bathing too often can dry out a Ferret's sensitive skin. Also, over bathing can lead to the oil of the skin washing away. The oil glands work overtime to produce more, causing your ferret to smell more than he/she did before the bath.
You’ll also find that Ferrets are happy playing with just about anything, mostly things they know they aren’t supposed to! You spend a lot of money on fancy shmancy toys, and they stick their nose at them and go play with your sock instead. How sweet.
There are lots of other things you may want/need to know so make sure you do your research. Whether it be online or in a book. Not everyone has their facts correct so be sure to compare and to know you’re getting the right facts.
Ferrets do become very attached to their owners, so it's best in all cases that you don't get a Ferret if you can't dedicate the time, attention and love they need. Giving up a ferret can cause them to go into a depression and we don't want that.
If you decide your lifestyle is right for a Ferret and you have the time, patience and love for one or more. I'm very sure you won't regret it. They are seriously the most loveable animals I have ever seen in my life. They are beautiful creatures, with personality that can't be matched. They are very interesting and entertaining animals! They have given me so much, and I love them with all my heart!"