Care for Pet Ferrets

Before you take on a pet ferret, be sure that you are legally allowed to keep a ferret. In states such as California, pet ferrets are illegal. According to "The Ferret Handbook" (Gerry Bucsis, et al, 2001) any pet ferrets discovered in those areas may be confiscated and, if sent to an animal control shelter, can be euthanized. If in doubt, ask your local animal shelter if ferrets are legal where you live.

  1. Housing

    • Although ferrets to spend a minimum of three hours outside of their cages every day, it is best to keep them in cages at night for their own protection. Ferrets enjoy tunnelling and can burrow into furniture or pipes if left unsupervised. According to the Humane Society of the Unites States, one ferret needs a barred cage (not an aquarium) that is 18 inches long, 18 inches deep and 30 inches wide or larger. It needs to be kept indoors away from drafts or heating vents. If the wire cage does not have a solid floor, put in tiles or old blankets to make flooring, because ferret feet can be damaged otherwise. Inside of the cage can be a nice hammock, toys, a water bottle and a heavy ceramic food bowl that the ferret can't easily topple over.

    Food

    • Although there are commercially made ferret foods, they may not be available where you live. Ferrets will try to eat any food stuff, whether it is good for them or not. According to Everything Ferret.com, ferrets have such short digestive tracts that they can only exist on a mostly meat diet. Cat food is okay in an emergency, but not dog food because dog food isn't meaty enough. Cooked lamb or chicken is also good for ferrets, as well as chicken baby food. Avoid sweets, small bones, egg whites, raw onion and fruits.

    Litter Training

    • Many pet ferrets have been successfully trained to use a litter box. Use regular clay cat litter and not the clumping kind because that irritates their eyes. There are ferret boxes available that are triangular in shape to fit in convenient cage or room corners, but even a cardboard box will do (just remember to replace it when it gets wet). Keep placing the ferret in the litter pan whenever you see them about to urinate or defecate and praise.

    Enrichment

    • Ferrets get easily bored and need to keep their minds stimulated in order to manage stress and stay healthy. Play is a great way for the ferrets to get needed mental enrichment. Ferrets are intensely curious and can make toys out of everyday objects such as old clothes and scrunched up newspaper. According to "Bath &Water Fun" (Bob Church, Ferrets, Sept/Oct 2007), giving a ferret a wet or a dry bath with chinchilla dust.