Dangers to Ferrets

Ferrets are the pet of choice for the independent mind. Ferrets indulge in curiosity and playfulness -- seemingly never allowing for a dull moment in the home. With that independent streak and boundless curiosity, however, lurks a dark side to owning a ferret -- the constant dangers that lurk around every bend. If you own a ferret and want to enjoy a healthy relationship with the chosen pet for years to come, it is essential to ferret-proof your home inside and out and provide the proper medical care.

  1. Sociability is Important

    • Ferrets thrive on human attention and interaction with their own kind. The worst you can do is own one ferret, unless you can dedicate a good portion of the day to romping around with it. Confining a ferret to a cage has long-term negative effects on the creature, often sending it into deep depression. While you may keep ferrets in a large cage with enough room to move about, it is essential to let them out at least twice a day for a couple hours of exercise and interaction with humans and one another.

    Medical Care

    • Canine distemper only leads to one conclusion for ferrets -- death. Proper vaccination is the only sure route to protection against the disease. You must vaccinate your ferrets at 6 to 8 weeks and again at 10 to 12 weeks, along with an annual booster shot, regardless of whether you take your ferrets outdoors. Your ferrets do not have to come in contact with the disease directly to contract it; you can just as easily bring it into the home on your clothing. In addition, you should give ferrets annual vaccinations against rabies not only for protection against the disease, but also as insurance in the event one of your ferrets happens to nip another person.

    Ferret Proof Your Home

    • Ferrets like to climb, to hide and to nose around. Dangers persist in all rooms of the house. Sofa beds and reclining chairs have to go. Ferrets love to climb up inside these irresistible hiding places ans all too often members of the household forget and make use of the furniture, crushing the creature. Use child-proof latches on kitchens and bathroom cabinets and keep your windows and doors closed.

      Never allow your ferrets to run behind appliances in the home where they can expose themselves to the dangers of fans and electrical wiring. Keep all electrical cords and wiring off the floor and out of the reach of your ferrets. Beware of rugs and piles of clothes on the floor. Ferrets love to burrow and if you don't check before stepping, you could accidentally crush your ferret inadvertently. You must also check your laundry before loading up the washing machine. Keep small objects away from your ferrets, including rubber toys. Ferrets just can't resist running away with any small object and often those objects end up inside the ferret leading to intestinal blockage and death if not attended to.

    The Dangerous Outdoors

    • Outdoors, ferrets find just as many ways to get into trouble. The first step to prevention is to keep your ferret on a leash. Never let your ferret go it alone outdoors. Other hazards include gardening mulches, lawn chemicals and fertilizers, as well as de-icing salts. De-icing salts will irritate your ferret's paws and when your ferret licks it off, it is poisonous. You should immediately wash your ferret's feet upon coming indoors.