Ferrets need a safe, secure cage, good quality food, plenty
of fresh water, a warm, dry bed and a couple of hours of interaction
and play in a safe, secure place every day. Ferrets also need
a cage that is big enough for them to move around without
standing in their litter tray, bed or food dish, however,
do not expect ferrets to play or exercise in their cage -
most will wait to be let out to do this.
For bedding, special washable ferret hammocks
are the best option, although many ferrets also like miniature
cat beds.. Some pet shops in the UK sell them but larger selections
can be found at the on-line retainers (see Links).. Hammocks
or other bedding should be changed every couple of days as
this reduces the odour level considerably, as does bathing
your ferret every 6 weeks (but no more often than that, as
this dries out their skin badly and can actually increase
their odour level).
Both sexes must be neutered (unless you intend
breeding from them) by 6 months of age. Unneutered males will
smell very strongly and become very aggressive when in season
(spring and summer). Unneutered females will remain in season
for much of the year if not mated and this invariably leads
to anaemia and/or infections. Unless they are mated, unneutered
females rarely survive longer than 2 years.
Feed your ferrets on a good quality dry kitten
food (Iams Kitten food is ideal) or commercial ferret food.
Baby ferrets should also be given some good quality tinned
food several times a day and have their dry food softened
with a little water until they are about 3 or 4 months old.
Always leave ample supplies of dry food in your ferret's cage
- ferrets are very prone to ulcers and can succumb surprisingly
quickly if they are left without food for any length of time.
Always ensure that your ferret has plenty of fresh water,
dispensed by a bottle so it can't be tipped over. Make sure
that they have a good, deep litter tray and ensure that you
keep it clean. A dirty litter tray will start to smell (although
not nearly as much as a cat's) and many ferrets will not use
a dirty tray. However, some kits and young adults will dig
in a litter tray that is too clean (believing it to be a sandpit
put there purely for their enjoyment!) - each ferret is different
so it is necessary to experiment until you get it right. If
you are "heavy footed" or have a particularly quiet ferret
you may opt to make your ferret wear a collar with a bell
on it - a kitten collar with an elastic section in it is ideal.
Ferrets love to get under foot and the bell helps to alert
you to their presence - or to find them if they become lost.
