Ferret at home: features of maintenance and care

Livestock » Ferrets

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Kira Stoletova

Caring for a ferret is not an easy task. Of course, the animal is not as demanding as a dog, but it requires time and effort from the owner. Before you get this predatory animal, you should think about how much attention you are willing to give it. You need to learn as much as possible about domestic ferrets, their lifestyle, habits, and nutrition. This article will help you understand many issues and understand all the pros and cons of the content.

Ferret

Who are the ferrets?

Ferrets (other names: furo, honoriki, thorzofretki) are domesticated or decorative ferrets. This word, like the animals themselves, came to us from Poland and quickly became a household word. Ferrets are small animals with an elongated body and thick fur, which in appearance are practically no different from wild ferrets. Males weigh up to 3 kg, females are slightly smaller. The undercoat of animals is usually light (yellowish, beige), and the hair itself can have a different shade, from golden to black. Under good conditions, domestic ferrets live 12-13 years.

Ferrets

Keeping a ferret in an apartment where there are other pets or small children is quite possible, but with some reservations. If you make your pet very angry or hurt him, he can bite hard, so it is better not to keep ferrets in apartments where there are small children. The animals get along well with cats and dogs (except for hunting breeds), but friendship will not work with a rat, hamster or rabbit - in the wild these animals are enemies.

Cat and ferret

Ferret at home with a dog

Important: Reports of the unbearable odor of ferrets are exaggerated, but some people find the odor unpleasant. For this reason, the whole family should decide on the purchase of a ferret, and it is best if the household members first sniff the animal.

Ferrets have a specific musky odor

Video – Domestic ferrets

Is it worth getting a ferret as a pet?

Domestic ferrets were domesticated later than cats and dogs and had not yet had time to fully adapt to the lifestyle of people. Therefore, their content has both positive and negative aspects that need to be weighed before deciding to buy an animal.

On a note. Keeping ferrets at home is often complicated by the fact that they are nocturnal. Although over time, animals can adapt to the daily routine of their owners.

Choice of animal

The first rule that you need to remember when choosing an animal is that ferrets should be purchased from professional breeders or in specialized stores, but not second-hand at poultry markets. In such places, sellers may sell a sick animal or a wild ferret, which will cause many problems.

The optimal age when you can take a ferret home is 1.5-4.5 months (at an early age, babies depend too much on their mother, and at an older age they may develop their own character and habits that cannot be changed).

Little ferret

A ferret that can take root at home must have adequate behavior, not be afraid of people and not show aggression. Experienced breeders begin to accustom animals to humans from early childhood, which makes them calm and friendly. A small ferret should not bite much - if the baby wants to play, he can lightly bite his hands, but no more. If the animal is too shy, aggressive or anxious, hisses or squirms when you try to pick it up, then it will be very difficult to adapt it to people.

Ferrets must be friendly

The appearance of the ferret is no less important. It should be sufficiently well-fed, with clean, even and thick fur, clear eyes, and a cold and moist nose. Small ferrets are a bit clumsy, but if their feet spread when they move, this could be a sign of rickets. The spine of healthy individuals is smooth and straight, without humps or dips, and the chest is barrel-shaped. You can also watch the mother of the ferrets - she should look healthy, strong and allow people to play with the cubs (this indicates trust in people, which is passed on genetically).

Ferret puppies

Important: slight lethargy of the baby after sleep is not a sign of any disease. Ferrets sleep a lot when they are young, and it takes them a certain amount of time to wake up and become active.

Wild ferrets - domestication

Is it possible to catch a ferret and tame it? In short, you can catch it, but it’s unlikely to tame it. Ferrets have a centuries-long history of domestication, during which their natural aggressiveness decreased, and their trust in people, on the contrary. Keeping a ferret caught in the wild is a troublesome task, from regular bites to a diet that is as close as possible to the natural one for a given individual. In any case, if a ferret is caught as an adult, it will forever remain either excessively timid or aggressive. If we are talking about a puppy, there are options, but he will not become as affectionate and kind as a pet.

Keeping a ferret at home: room requirements

Before buying a ferret, you need to decide where and how the ferret will be kept. The best option is to allow him to run freely around the apartment, because ferrets belong to the order of predators, and he simply needs physical activity.

All ferrets have their own hiding places.

But in this case you will need to adhere to the following conditions:

• keep the apartment clean (ferts do not like dirty rooms);
• accustom the animal to the tray;
• close all cracks in which the ferret might get stuck;
• remove all dangerous objects from reach, keep the kitchen closed at all times and be very careful about open windows, even if they are covered with mosquito nets.

This could happen

Don't forget that ferrets love to chew things and can also scratch furniture upholstery with their claws. It is best to give your pet a separate room, arrange a small shelter there, put soft bedding, a drinking bowl and a food bowl. It is better to remove chairs and all high objects - the ferret can climb on them, fall and get seriously injured.

Ferret loves toys

In the summer, the apartment will have to be protected from the sun - ferrets with their thick fur suffer greatly during intense heat, and direct rays can lead to heat stroke. It is best to install an air conditioner, or at least buy a fan or stick reflective film on the windows. After water procedures, air conditioners and fans should be turned off, since an animal with wet fur can easily blow out.

Ferrets need to be litter trained

Ferret in the company of a dog and a cat

Conditions for a ferret

Before bringing your ferret home, you should prepare your apartment/house for the arrival of this very active and curious animal. First of all, get a spacious cage. Even if you intend to create conditions for maximum freedom for your ferret and allow him to roam freely around the rooms, he should be placed in a cage while you are away.

You will also need a heavy ceramic bowl (the ferret will steal and turn over a light plastic one), and a litter tray with high sides (at the pet store you can pick up a special triangular tray designed specifically for the ferret). You should also buy a few toys, which ferrets like. Then the animal will play with them, and not with your wallet or car keys.

As for preparing the room itself, you will have to do the following:

1. Seal up any holes where your ferret can get in and where you won't be able to get him out if he gets stuck.
2. Check that all windows are tightly closed, especially vents. Make sure that your domestic ferret cannot open them on his own and fall out. Also, if you do not intend to put your ferret in a cage every time you ventilate the room, it is better to cover the window with a metal mesh.
3. Remember what they write on the packaging of medicines and household chemicals? Keep away from children and animals. This applies primarily to ferrets, since, firstly, they are incredibly curious, and secondly, they have incredible flexibility and dexterity (see ferret video), and therefore are able to get to everything that was not properly hidden. So keep all potentially hazardous substances, such as laundry detergent, in a tightly closed pantry.
4. Ferrets are natural diggers. No amount of severe punishment will ever be able to wean your animal from destroying flower pots. The only way out is to put the flowers in a place where the ferret cannot reach them.
5. Some individuals have the habit of chewing wires. Considering that it is impossible to imagine a modern home without wires, you will have to protect the wires from the ferret (and the ferret from the electric current in the wires). To prevent your ferret from damaging cables and wires at home, they can be placed in a metal corrugation or lubricated with a special bitter paste, sold in pet stores.
6. Ferrets are smart enough to learn quickly from experience. Having managed to open the linen closet or refrigerator once, the animal will begin to do this constantly. So, if you don’t want to regularly collect laundry around the apartment and sweep flour on the kitchen floor, you will have to equip each door and door with some kind of lock or latch.

You should also be warned that ferrets love to fall asleep, hiding under a blanket, between the components of folding furniture, or in a closet with clothes. The explanation for why the ferret does this is simple - it is hiding from predators. So before you sit on the bed, start folding/unfolding the sofa/chair, or tightly close the closet, make sure that there is no fragile animal hiding there.

Keeping a ferret in a cage: housing for a ferret

If the idea of ​​keeping a forest animal in an apartment does not seem very successful, you can make a cage for the ferret. It should be large enough (at least a square meter in area), and it is better to use a metal mesh rather than rods as the material - the ferret will in any case try to gnaw through the cage and may break its teeth on it. Inside it is necessary to arrange something like a mink lined with rags, where the ferret can occasionally hide from prying eyes, put a drinking bowl, a bowl of food and a tray.

Ferret cage

In addition, ferrets are very fond of mazes made of plastic bottles, houses made of boxes, swings and ladders. The ferret will also really like thick latex toys - it is better not to offer plush and rubber products, as the animal may swallow inedible material and get an intestinal blockage. But do not forget that even the most comfortable cage cannot replace the animal of freedom - it will need to be let out of the cage for at least a few hours a day.

Large ferret cage

Freedom is important to ferrets

Ferret cage prices

Ferret cage

Ferret house

A ferret, like a burrowing animal, must have a shelter house in its cage. It’s good if you can give the animal a separate room in the apartment. But he still needs a shelter or a hole where he can be in complete solitude.

The absence of a house for a ferret in a human home can lead to nervous breakdown, exhaustion and even death of your ward. However, most likely the animal will find a hole for itself, somewhere in the sofa or behind a closet, without this it simply cannot exist. It is unlikely that this option will appeal to the other inhabitants of the apartment. Therefore, it is better to take care of a cozy house for your ferret in advance.

If the ferret lives in a cage and is only occasionally allowed out to run around the apartment, it is better to attach a house in the form of a wooden box to the lattice of the cage from the outside. This will increase precious living space. The size of the apartment should be such that the animal can stretch out completely without being constrained. The optimal length is at least half a meter, width and height are 30–40 cm. Unfortunately, such houses are rarely found on sale, so a homemade design will probably be the best option.

It is advisable to use thin boards and blocks rather than plywood; they do not suffer as much from moisture when washed. Chipboard is absolutely not suitable, not only because of the toxic phenolic glue, but also because of its poor water resistance. The connection is made with self-tapping screws; today they are sold galvanized and do not rust.

The entrance opening must be made at least 10 cm, and preferably towards the edge, so it will be more comfortable in the hole. There is no need to paint the inside of the house, but the outside can be coated with one layer of pentaphthalic or glypthal varnish. For bedding, place wool or cotton rags in the house. Wood shavings will also work, but large, without sawdust or wood chips and, of course, from hardwood, without resinous inclusions. Small sawdust of any type causes inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Paper with printing ink is also not an option; although the ferret is a predator, he likes to try everything he can get his teeth into.

When a ferret lives in a free-range house, the house for him can be on the floor, but in the quietest place, away from heating devices, sunlight and drafts. Sometimes, a picky ferret just doesn’t want to go to a new home. Then try moving the house to where he prefers to relax most often. Please note that ferrets have a stronger sense of Feng Shui than humans.

A floor house can be made large and complex from several chambers connected by manhole pipes, ladders, and equipped with beds and passages and exits from different sides. Fantasy and design delights are not limited. You can make a grandiose structure that copies a human house, for example, with opening doors, windows, balconies, etc. Such a house is especially good if you have several ferrets. Hang a drinking bowl and a hammock near the house, and place a reliable non-tipping bowl for food. Such a house, together with its nimble inhabitant, will serve as a real decoration for your apartment!

What to feed your ferret at home?

A properly formulated diet for a ferret is the key to its health and quality of life. Under no circumstances should you feed your ferret dog or cat food - the digestive and metabolic processes of animals are completely different, so this will bring nothing but problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Feeding a ferret can be organized in several ways, depending on the capabilities and financial situation of the animal owner.

1. Creation of natural conditions. In this case, the ferret needs to be given whole carcasses of chickens and mice, as well as mealworms and other insects. This is a good option for the animal, but not the best for most owners, since after each meal you will have to clean up unappetizing leftovers.

   If the ferret is young, then you need to feed 4-6 times a day

2. Purchase of ready-made feed. Ferrets as pets are becoming increasingly popular, which is why many pet food manufacturers have included ferret food in their product list. The advantage is that the ferret will receive all the nutrients necessary for his body. The disadvantage is that it is quite difficult to find such food in small towns, and you will have to order it online. In addition, really high-quality and healthy food for domestic ferrets is not cheap.

   Ferret eats food

3. Feeding with regular foods. The difficulty here is that the owner of the animal will have to independently create a balanced diet consisting of meat, fish, vegetables, cereals, and vitamin and mineral supplements. The fret menu for different seasons is as follows.

The porridge needs to be boiled well, or even better, put through a meat grinder. You should also not give your pet dairy products, since the ferrets’ stomach does not digest them - sometimes you can offer a little cottage cheese or a small piece of cheese.

Products prohibited for ferrets include:

• fatty and fried foods;
• sweets, baked goods;
• fruits with coarse fiber (for example, carrots) and citrus fruits;
• nuts;
• vegetable proteins (soy);
• all products that have a viscous or sticky consistency (jam, etc.).

As a treat, you can offer your ferret a piece of banana, apple, pear, melon (depending on the season), dried fruit or a boiled quail egg.

Treats for trochees

How often should you feed your ferret? The best option for babies is three times a day, for adults – twice, in the morning and in the evening. Food bowls must be washed constantly, and the water in drinking bowls must be changed to fresh water as often as possible.

Warning: Ferrets love to hide tasty morsels in secluded places. You should not scold your pet for this behavior - you just need to remember where the food is and remove it after the animal does other things.

Ferret food prices

Ferret food

Video - Domestic ferrets: how to care for and keep them in an apartment?

Ferret as a pet

These miniature charmers began to appear en masse in Russian families relatively recently. Just 15 years ago, even in Moscow they were absolutely exotic, not to mention the provinces. At the same time, domestic ferrets became widespread in the West about 40 years ago, where they constitute significant competition for hamsters, guinea pigs, ornamental rats and other small animals traditionally kept as pets. Ferrets have become especially popular in North America, as well as in Japan.

Anyone who intends to get a ferret should understand what this animal is like. The domestic ferret comes from its forest counterpart, which lives everywhere in European forests. This is a small predator of the mustelid family, which in natural conditions hunts small rodents and birds, while leading a solitary lifestyle.

Like most predators, ferrets have a fairly high level of intelligence. They are cunning and smart, have a developed theft skill, which they use very skillfully. This seemingly cute trait of their character can cause certain inconvenience when a ferret is kept at home: small items (wallets, glasses, lighters, cell phones, etc.) constantly disappear and can be found in the ferret’s hiding places (in the sofa, in corner of the closet, behind the chest of drawers, etc.)

The ferret is a nocturnal animal, so it usually sleeps during the day and goes out hunting at night. However, as in the case of cats, many individuals adapt to the daily routine of their owners, who are awake during the day and asleep at night.

Finally, keep in mind that the ferret, thanks to its incredibly flexible body, can get into places where it cannot always get out on its own, for example, into a narrow gap between a closet and a wall. For his own safety, when no one is home, it is better to lock the ferret in an enclosure or a spacious cage.

How to toilet train an animal?

To make keeping a ferret at home as simple as possible, you need to take some time to accustom him to the litter box - a simple cat litter box, which can be bought at any pet store, will do. If your pet ignores the tray, you should slightly stain the container with droppings. First, the container is placed in the cage so that the animal learns to walk in it in a limited area, and then move it to a convenient place (but do not place it where the animal eats or sleeps). For ferrets that spend almost all their time free, it is better to place several trays, and they should be removed immediately after contamination.

Be sure to wash the tray every day

If the ferret went to the toilet in another place, he must be immediately caught and punished (for example, lightly flicked on the nose and locked in a cage) - if such educational measures are carried out later, it will not produce results. Subsequently, you will have to watch the animal a little - as soon as it raises its tail and begins to sit down, you should move it to the “correct” toilet as quickly as possible. When your pet goes into the litter box without a reminder or coercion, he needs to be rewarded with some kind of treat.

How to toilet train a ferret

Characteristics of a domestic ferret

Ferret care: bathing and walking

The ferret does not require any special care measures - it needs to be bathed and its claws trimmed occasionally. Water procedures should be carried out no more than two or three times a month, except in cases where the animal is very dirty. During water procedures, it is better to keep the ferret suspended and wash it from the shower, and the temperature should not exceed 37 degrees. A special shampoo is used, intended for hygiene procedures for ferrets, or, in extreme cases, organic baby shampoos. Many ferrets love to swim, so you can sometimes set up a swimming pool for them. After bathing, the animals need to be dried with a towel to dry their fur a little.

Ferret and bathing

Ferret bathing

Nails must be trimmed approximately once every three weeks, otherwise the pet will not be able to move normally. The procedure is carried out very carefully - you only need to cut off the part that grows downwards, so as not to damage the blood vessel located in the paw. Additionally, the claws can be treated with a nail file.

How to trim nails correctly

Another necessary procedure is ear cleaning, which should be done monthly. Drop a couple of drops of oil into your ear, then clean off the dirt with a cotton swab (you shouldn’t get too far) and wipe your ear with a napkin.

How to clean your ferret's ears

In spring and autumn, ferrets molt, changing their winter coat to summer coat and vice versa. The process is accompanied by severe itching, and to alleviate the pet’s condition, you can comb it with a regular brush for cats.

It is important to monitor your pet’s health; many diseases are fatal to him.

Video - Bathing a ferret

Features of bathing

When considering the rules on how to keep a ferret in an apartment, you should not miss the moment of how to wash a ferret. This process is important; it ensures that the coat, claws, and ears are kept clean. Moreover, all ferrets are delighted with water treatments.

But not everyone knows how to bathe a ferret. Bathing your pet can be done 1-2 times every 7 days, this will be quite enough. But in order to do everything correctly, you must follow the following recommendations:

1. The frequency of bathing usually depends on the condition of the ferret's coat and the degree of contamination;
2. Bathing should also be carried out using special washing shampoos. They will eliminate the unpleasant odor that is released by the sweat glands, and will also make the fur soft and silky;
3. When washing, be sure to clean your pet’s ears; this can be done with cotton swabs;
4. After bathing, the ferret needs to be wrapped in a towel and allowed to dry completely.

A washed animal will look beautiful, its fur will be soft and shimmer in the sun. It is better to go for a walk with him after the woolen coat has completely dried.

Let's go for a walk

You can start introducing your pet into the world when it reaches 9-10 months of age. You can walk in moderate weather - extreme heat and frost are destructive for these animals. Another important condition is the availability of vaccinations, especially against plague and rabies. If it is very hot outside, it is recommended to go out only after sunset. In winter, it is recommended to take walks when there is snow outside, and the more, the better - ferrets love to dig in the snow and dig holes in it. Before going out, the fur should be treated with a special spray against parasites, and make sure that the ferret does not lick himself until the product dries.

Walking the ferrets

For walks, you will need a harness and leash, but the owner must be prepared for the fact that at first the ferret will struggle to free itself from unfamiliar objects. It is better to accustom an animal to a harness in an apartment, and only after it stops showing anxiety can you go outside. The harness should not be tightened too tightly so as not to cause discomfort to the pet. You should not let your ferret out on the street without a leash - the animals are curious and will immediately get lost.

Ferret in autumn park

What kind of food should you have?

If you decide to keep a ferret in your apartment, then be sure to consider the feeding habits of this animal. This is one of the important conditions for the healthy existence of this animal. The well-being of the pet, as well as its vitality and energy, will depend on a properly formulated diet.

The following foods must be present in a ferret's diet:

1. Dry feed mixtures. Balanced feed is required to fill the animal’s body with vitality. They can be purchased at any specialized store;
2. Raw food. You should be especially careful with this food. Choose your meat carefully. It is better to buy it from a trusted seller, this will help avoid infecting the animal with parasites;
3. Minced meat porridge.

If you have not yet lived with a ferret in an apartment, and you have never had this animal, then you should start feeding with dry mixtures. Even cat food is suitable for them. You should first study the composition and description of the feed mixture. You can also use reviews that are available in large quantities on the Internet.

The ferret eats in small portions, but often. He should eat up to 7 times a day. It is imperative to monitor its nutrition, and also do not forget to add water to the drinking bowl.

Possible diseases: why are they dangerous and how to treat them?

Domestic ferrets are susceptible to a number of diseases, some of which (rabies, plague and influenza) are contagious to humans. To prevent unpleasant consequences for both the animal itself and its owners, you need to carefully monitor the pet’s condition and carry out mandatory vaccinations.

1. Rabies. An acute viral disease that a ferret can contract from birds and wild animals. The incubation period lasts from 2 to three months. Protection is annual vaccination; there is no therapy.
2. Plague. Another dangerous disease that can be transmitted both to other animals and to people. A characteristic symptom in the first stages is yellowish-green discharge from the eyes, after which fever, loss of appetite, and redness of the mucous membranes appear. Protection is annual vaccination; there is no treatment.
3. Flu. Ferrets are one of the few pets that can catch the flu. Symptoms of the disease do not differ from those of the flu in humans (fever, runny nose, cough, photophobia, lethargy). Animals with strong immunity do not need to be treated - they recover on their own within 3-14 days. If the condition worsens, the ferret is treated with antiviral drugs and antibiotics.
4. Aleutian disease. This disease affects animals that live on livestock farms in the company of other ferrets. Signs: inflammation of organs, bleeding of mucous membranes, fever, diarrhea, weight loss. There is no reliable protection against the disease, as it triggers autoimmune processes in the body.
5. Rickets. Rickets in ferrets develops due to improper feeding of females during pregnancy and poor care of the offspring. Symptoms are developmental delays, lameness, severe bone curvatures, and sometimes problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian and includes taking vitamins, massage, swimming and exercise.
6. Congestive cardiomyopathy. The most common disorder of the cardiovascular system in ferrets. With the disease, the contractile function of the heart muscle deteriorates, the animal develops lethargy, attacks of dry cough, decreased activity, and difficulty breathing. There is no effective treatment; medications can alleviate the animal’s condition and prolong its life.
7. Urolithiasis disease. It develops due to poor nutrition (too many plant products in the diet), and also as a complication of infectious diseases. Symptoms are difficulty urinating (the ferret may be restless and even scream), blood in the urine, lethargy. Recommended treatment is medication or surgery.
8. Stomach ulcer. Peptic ulcer disease occurs quite often in ferrets and is caused by a specific bacterium. The disease is often asymptomatic (possible problems with defecation, blood in the stool, periodic vomiting), which is its danger - advanced ulcers can cause bleeding and death. Treatment must be prescribed by a veterinarian.
9. Cataract. With cataracts, ferrets experience clouding of the eyes, which become cloudy and bluish. Usually develops in animals that have been subjected to mechanical trauma or in old animals. Ferrets do not feel any particular discomfort, since they naturally have poor vision, so no specific therapy is required, but sick individuals should not be allowed to reproduce.

Ferret treatment is carried out in a veterinary clinic

When it comes to parasites, the most common parasites found on ferrets are fleas and ear mites. The presence of parasites in animals can be recognized by severe itching, in the ears or throughout the body. You can fight parasites with the help of special drops, sprays and shampoos, but it is recommended to first consult a doctor about side effects.

Maintenance and care

General conditions of detention

To keep furo at home, it is not necessary to purchase a special cage. Most likely, it will not be to the liking of a freedom-loving animal, which would prefer to live in a large room. It would be better if it was a specially prepared place. For example, a loggia or other spacious room in which, for the safety of the ferret, a net is stretched over the window, wires, house plants, heating appliances are removed, there is no access to sockets, and the cracks through which the animal can escape or get stuck are plugged. Remember that the ferret is a burrowing animal and penetrates even the narrowest crevices. A bathroom, closet or toilet is not suitable for keeping a pet. If you choose to purchase a cage, then its area should be at least 1 m2 and the animal must be released for play for at least 2 - 3 hours a day. This can also be done outdoors, but only with a harness, otherwise the ferret may get lost.

The free space for a domestic ferret should be organized in such a way as to brighten up the situation in captivity. All kinds of “attractions” are perfect for this, which you can make with your own hands or purchase at a pet store - labyrinths, pipes, hammocks, swings, ladders and thick latex toys (rubber and fur are not suitable!). In addition, the animal will need a feeder, a drinker and a tray.

The sleeping place in the cage should be equipped in the form of a box or a wooden or plastic shelter house with soft bedding. Living in a room, the animal itself will find a secluded corner (under a closet or bed, behind an armchair) to sleep. Animals usually devote almost all of their daytime to it.

How to get rid of ferret smell?

A ferret can smell strongly only if he is an uncastrated male during the rut. Under other conditions, the smell from the animal is no stronger than from the dog. Some owners even like the musky scent with a hint of honey, but others would still prefer to get rid of such an aroma. To do this, you can use the following rules:

• Change the bedding in the animal's nest more often and wet clean the room.
• Try not to overuse bathing, as this causes activation of the ferret's sebaceous glands.
• For bathing, use special shampoos for domestic ferrets, which are sold in veterinary pharmacies. These products can destroy the ferret’s “smell” for 5 – 8 days (Frettchen (Bernina), Ferretseen 8 in 1).

Hygiene procedures

First of all, this is cleaning the ears. No more than once a month (or less often) it is necessary to remove the brown waxy substance from the animal’s ears. This is done using a cotton swab dipped in regular Vaseline. It is not recommended to use other cleaning products, as well as to penetrate deep into the animal’s ear.

The appearance of black specks or a black substance in the animal’s ears is a symptom of ear mites in the ferret. For treatment you need to consult a specialist.

Another important procedure is nail trimming. It is carried out regularly once every 3-4 weeks. It is better to trim the claws of a sleepy animal, otherwise it may become nervous, break free and even bite the owner. The haircut is carried out with special scissors or trimmers for trimming the nails of cats and dogs. Only the curved tip of the claw should be cut so as not to damage the vessel running inside. This can cause bleeding and pain in the animal. If the vessel is nevertheless damaged, to stop the bleeding, press a cotton wool soaked in iodine to the damaged area.

Bathing

An optional, but very pleasant procedure for a ferret. He loves to dive and frolic in the water. The most convenient way to bathe an animal is in the bathtub. Water, the temperature of which should not exceed 38 - 40 C°, is poured to a level of 2 - 3 times the height of the animal. In the middle of the bath, you can install a kind of island (an inverted basin or bucket), on which the pet can cling and rest while swimming.

Wash your pet using shampoos specially designed for this purpose. It is not critical to use baby soap or herbal shampoos for cats and dogs. Avoid getting water into your animal's eyes and ears. The ferret can dry itself: you just need to lightly wipe it so that water does not flow from its fur, and place it in a box with a couple of clean towels. Your pet will begin to actively tumble until it wipes itself off. Then he will sit down in a comfortable place and begin to lick himself, fluffing up the fur. Make sure he doesn't do this in a draft or dusty corner.

Tray training

To make it easier to care for and maintain a pet ferret, it is better to accustom it to a litter box from the first days the pet arrives in the house. The animal can go both in a litter box, for example, a cat, and in its own. You can buy the most common tray, with a grid. For faster habituation, it is better to place several trays throughout the room where the animal spends time. In order for your ferret to go “on errands” where he’s supposed to, you first need to slightly dirty the tray with his feces. Under no circumstances should you place the tray where your pet sleeps and eats. A ferret will never relieve herself there. Ferrets are very clean animals, so the toilet area should always be clean and tidy.

For urinating in the right place, be sure to praise your pet. Only ferrets caught in the act can be punished for mistakes. Otherwise, he simply will not understand why he is being punished.

Grooming

Ferrets, like most cats, take care of their own fur on their own, but during the molting period, which occurs twice a year, you can help the animal. At this time, he experiences severe discomfort and constantly itches. The pet's condition will be alleviated by regular brushing with a special soft brush for cats or by carefully plucking the fur.

For a walk

By following certain rules, you can take your ferret out for walks from 8 to 9 months in both winter and summer, provided that the pet is healthy and has received all the necessary vaccinations. Walking for a ferret is a great joy. The main thing is to avoid excessive heat, as well as dirt, slush and severe frost. Although, moderate cold is only beneficial for ferrets, especially since they love to dig holes in the snow. The best option for exercise is deserted and quiet parks and squares.

For walks, be sure to purchase a harness with a leash. It is better to start training it at home. When walking, do not let your pet pick up anything from the ground and do not let it “free swim”. Some dogs and crows pose a great danger to the animal. The latter often attack trochees directly from the air.

After returning from a walk, just wipe your pet’s paws with a damp cloth or rinse them in the shower.

Dangers to the ferret

Try to create the safest possible conditions for furo. The danger for the animal is:

• Washing machine - your pet may get stuck in it, or you may not notice it and turn on the wash.
• An open toilet can cause a ferret to drown in it or be poisoned by the cleaning chemical.
• Rubber products (shoe insoles, bath mats, etc.) – when swallowed, rubber clogs the animal’s stomach, which leads to death.
• Drawers – a ferret can easily open them and ruin something valuable.
• The garbage can will definitely be turned over by the trash can and the contents will be scattered throughout the apartment.
• Heaters and fans are the source of most injuries in ferrets.
• Furniture – a domestic ferret can easily squeeze into the inside of a sofa or bed, where it can get stuck or get injured.
• Houseplants - many of them are poisonous to animals, but very attractive to digging soil.
• Windows – if they are not covered with mesh, your pet will sooner or later fall out of the window.
• Electrical outlets and cords – your ferret loves to play with them.
• Cats, dogs and aquarium fish - if the ferret usually manages to make friends with the first and second ones, then the ferret will either eat the third ones or drown in the aquarium.

First aid kit for ferrets

All ferret owners are recommended to create a first aid kit for their pet, which will include items that can be used to quickly provide first aid to an active and nimble animal. The first aid kit should include:

1. Dressings and antiseptics. All this is necessary to treat small wounds.
2. Petrolatum. This remedy is suitable if your ferret is constipated or has a gag reflex.
3. Sorbents or coal, they are used for poisoning. Most diseases in domestic ferrets are associated with improper feeding and overfeeding.
4. Medicines for helminths and parasites that may appear in the fur.
5. Furacilin and BARS eye drops - these products are necessary for treating the eyes.

All these remedies will help with minor ailments. In more serious cases, when there is reason to worry, it is better to contact a veterinarian.

Feeding

Proper care and maintenance of a ferret also includes proper feeding . Unlike the usual dogs or cats, the animal reacts very quickly to dietary errors. Systematic improper feeding is the main cause of chronic diseases . Errors in diet are especially dangerous before the age of six months. There are three main types of feeding for ferrets:

1. Natural. The animal is given special food mice, worms and cockroaches. For reasons of humanity, this type of feeding is of little use.
2. Natural. The basis of the diet in this case is chicken, turkey or beef. It is supplemented with offal and cereals. Vitamin and mineral supplements must also be included in the diet.
3. Industrial. Fully prepared industrially produced rations are used for feeding. Under no circumstances should they be mixed with natural products.

Pregnancy and childbirth

If mating is successful, then the female’s estrus stops and after 44-45 days the cubs are born. The fact that pregnancy has occurred can be determined at approximately 20-30 days by the slightly enlarged belly.

The female can be aggressive if you try to touch her during this period. Attention should be paid to her diet at this time. The basis of the diet now should be meat with a small addition of vegetables. It is necessary to give the female vitamin supplements, for example, Trivit or Fitocalcevit.

Pet stores have special dry food for pregnant females. If you give these mixtures to an animal, then separate vitamins are no longer required. Drinking water is required; a pregnant woman can drink up to 500 ml of liquid per day.

A ferret litter usually consists of 4-5 babies, sometimes there are up to 7. Immediately before giving birth, the female is not allowed out of the cage, and walks outside are also canceled.

Childbirth is usually natural, does not require assistance, and lasts about 12 hours. The behavior of the female indicates that birth is imminent. She prepares a nest for the cubs, using fluff plucked from her belly.

Peculiarities

If you want to get yourself a ferret, you need to weigh all the pros and cons. Keeping an animal requires the following investments:

1. Material costs. Ready-made food is not cheap. Even if you feed your ferret regular food, it is quite expensive. It will not be possible to feed a ferret scraps of human food; this will shorten its life significantly. Here you can add the purchase of vitamin premixes, accessories, and veterinary expenses.
2. Time costs. As already mentioned, ferrets are mobile and active creatures. They need attention, care, they require active pastime. This animal simply physically cannot stay in a cage for 24 hours; it is destructive for it. Therefore, if you are very busy, it is better to abandon the idea of ​​getting a ferret and give preference to some other, calmer pets.
3. Patience. This is the most important thing when working with ferrets. Adaptation to a new apartment, training and attachment to the owner depend on this. We should never forget that a ferret is a predator, hence its desire to constantly gnaw something, sharpen its claws and do other things that are not very pleasant for humans. If you don’t want to tolerate something like that, then you shouldn’t get a ferret.

It is necessary to assess whether the neighborhood with existing pets will be safe. A cat or dog can calmly accept a new member of the household; such company does not threaten them in any way. But if a parrot, lizard, hamster or some other small animal lives in the apartment, then the ferret can become a threat to them.

Habitat in an apartment

With its not too long life, in a favorable home environment, a ferret can live about 10 years, sometimes even up to 15 years. It is important to create the right conditions for your pet and you must adhere to the following recommendations:

1. A cage, aviary or box is suitable for keeping. But the animal cannot be kept in a cage all the time; at least for some time the ferret must move freely around the apartment. The size of the cage should be such that even an adult animal has room in it. Therefore, it is better if the cage has a height of about 1 m.
2. The distance between the bars of the cage should not be more than 1.5 cm; it is important to pay attention to their strength.
3. It is advisable to equip the floor in the cage with a mesh floor, under which there is a garbage tray.
4. The most preferable option for keeping a ferret is display cases or enclosures. There the animal will have the necessary space and comfort. The showcase is equipped with ventilation.
5. Regardless of which of the listed options is chosen for keeping a ferret, the cage or enclosure must have a house in which the animal can hide to rest. In addition to a secluded house, you can set up a hammock for your ferret; these animals sleep well in such devices. You can also make a running wheel, climbing shelves or labyrinths in the place of detention - ferrets simply adore all of this.
6. A regular litter tray with cat litter is perfect for a ferret's litter box. The cage is cleaned weekly, but the toilet should be cleaned once a day.
7. Even if wonderful living conditions have been created for a ferret, this does not exclude walks in the fresh air. Walking is carried out using a collar and a long leash. At first, walks may even frighten the ferret, but gradually he gets used to it. Therefore, you should not let him go outside without the specified devices.