Instructions
House a Baby Ferret
Choose spacious, flat cages with small spacing between the bars. Purchase cages that have bar spacings too small for the baby ferret to stick its head through. Avoid cage bottoms that have areas where the baby ferret can catch its feet and get stuck.
Introduce baby ferrets to older ferrets by putting the cages next to each other and allowing them to get used to each others' scents. Let the older ferrets play with the younger ferrets for a few minutes at a time until they become comfortable with each other.
Train your baby ferret to use a litter box as soon as it shows a preference for a defecation space.
Feed your Baby Ferret
Wean your baby ferret at six weeks. Provide the baby ferret with the same calorically-dense and nutritious ferret food that is provided to the mother. Soak the food in warm water for 10 minutes to make it easy to digest. Switch ferret food brands slowly if you prefer to feed your baby ferret food other than your breeder's brand.
Keep a baby ferret's water dish full with fresh water. Find an elevated area in the baby ferret's cage and secure the dish to it. Replenish the water daily after cleaning the bowl.
Give your baby ferrets the right types of treats. Choose raisins and bananas over artificially sweetened treats.
Take Care of a Baby Ferret's Medical Needs
Descent and neuter your baby ferret before it reaches eight weeks of age; this keeps baby ferrets healthy. Treat and clean the baby ferret's descenting incision with hydrogen peroxide as long as the wound is visible.
Take your baby ferret to the veterinarian for a distemper inoculation when it reaches 8 weeks. Go in for a booster shot when it reaches 11 to 12 weeks, a rabies shot between 12 and 13 weeks of age, and a follow-up booster when it reaches 14 to 16 weeks.
Ask your veterinarian to check your baby ferret for signs of ear mites, fleas, virus diarrhea, coccidial parasites and congenital defects during each visit.
Vaccinate ferrets annually.
Play With a Baby Ferret
Take your ferret out of its cage and play with it at least two times a day. The exercise and stimulation helps compensate for the small space it lives and sleeps in.
Give your pet ferret toys made out of materials other than cloth, foam rubber and latex. Choose toys that encourage a ferret's tunneling and hunting instincts. Offer baby ferrets cat toys and human baby toys like rattles.
Remove buttons and other small pieces from the toys before giving the baby ferret the toys and don't leave the toys in the baby ferret's cage.
Socialize a Baby Ferret
Wait until the ferret is about a month old.
Draw up a socialization schedule. Plan on spending at least 10 minutes with your baby ferret at least six times a day.
Let your baby ferret get used to humans by taking it out of its cage and nestling it against your arm. Speak to it gently. Let the ferret explore safe areas.
Teach your baby ferret not to nip humans by firmly telling it, "No" when it bites.
How to Care for a Baby Ferret
Baby ferrets, or kits, are as interesting as their adult counterparts. However, because they're young, care requirements are a little different than for adult ferrets. Use these tips to help raise a healthy, sociable baby ferret.