Q & A

 

 

( 1 ) What do ferrets eat?

Ferrets are carnivores they eat any red meat chicken or whole carcass and there is a complete ready mix ferret food readily available from any good pet shop, do not feed pork, bread or milk because these will make your ferret ill. Also some ferrets are known to eat small amounts of fruit such as banana.

( 2 ) Do ferrets bite?

Ferrets have very powerful jaws which can inflect a very nasty bite but it is very unusual for a well kept ferret to bite you ferrets will bite if they are felling unwell in other words its saying " Go away" Ferrets are short sited and if you approach them nervously and snatch your hand away the ferret may mistake your hand as pray and bite it.

( 3 ) Do ferrets smell?

Ferrets have a musky odour witch gets slightly stronger when in season like tom cats neutering helps rid them of any smell.

( 4 ) How long do ferrets live?

Ferrets live on average 8 - 10 years and exceptionally up to 14 years this should be taken into account when taking on a ferret as a pet.

( 5 ) Can you walk ferrets?

Ferrets can be walked and do enjoy the experience it can be fairly slow and usually they want to go in there own direction and not want to follow you, you can purchase a purpose made ferret harness and lead from larger pet shops.

( 6 ) Should my ferret be vaccinated?

As with cats and dogs vaccination is highly recommended because ferrets can catch distemper you should give them a booster shot every year.

( 7 ) What's best male or female?

On average males weigh between 2 ½ lb and 5 lb females weigh between 1 ½ lb and 2 ½ lb Males tend to be more laid back and will lie still in your arms and therefore some say make better pet's females tend to be more active and wriggly when you hold them this does not mean they make bad pets some people love females because they are so active and males because there not, some people get one of each and get the best of both worlds.

( 8 ) Do ferrets make good pets for children?

Ferrets make excellent pets for children although they are not suitable for very young children and adult supervision is needed, because a ferret could live for ten years or more the parent must be prepared to take on the responsibility of looking after the ferret for the rest of its life if the child looses interest if not get a short lived animal.

( 9 ) Do ferrets get along with other animal?

It is good news most ferrets and cats can learn to live with each other depending on each of the pet's personalities they'll either become best friends, just tolerant of each other or be worst enemies, baby ferrets and kittens raised together have the best chance of peaceful cohabitation. However if you're introducing a baby ferret to a fully-grown cat or a kitten to a fully-grown ferret, you'll need to proceed with caution-the larger animal could attack the smaller one. Never attempt any cross-species introductions without adult supervision. Both animals should be held by adults and allowed to sniff and touch noses. Don't let them down on to the floor together until they seem tolerant of one another. Even grater care is necessary when ferrets and dogs are under the same roof. It is not advisable to let loose a ferret with a terrier or hunting dog, because they have been bread to attack animals that look like ferrets, (unless your hunting dog has been trained to work with ferrets) although you can keep a gentle- natured dog with a ferret it all depends on your animals are they a little Satan or a cuddly bear, will your dog take a ferret nipping at his heels. Again take great caution and have adult supervision. As far as rodents are concerned do not try to mix them together. Although not all ferrets would harm rodents but you still have to remember they have a predatory instincts and could harm them.

( 10 ) what cage do ferrets need?

A cage needs to be a minimum of four feet x three feet x two feet this will be suitable for 1-2 ferrets, it will need a sleeping and play area, the wire needs to be strong wire mesh not chicken wire it should also have a overhanging waterproof roof. An exercise run will be needed with a wire bottom ferrets love to dig. Outside cages and exercise runs should not be put in direct sunlight at midday but be put in a shady spot, ferrets can suffer from heatstroke and die if they get to hot. Some people use sheds as a living and play area filling them with toys and tubes with a hole leading to an outside run ,for their ferrets others buy indoor cages and let them exercise in the house you see more of your ferret and you do not have to go out in the cold in the winter. Whatever you do, buy as big a cage as you can, even if you have to wait a bit longer for your ferrets. If your family had the choice of living in a one bedroom flat or a four bedroom house for the next ten years which one would you chose, the ferret is no different don't skimp on housing

 

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