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HAPPY FERRETING!
HEALTH AND MAINTENANCE
Ferrets need regular maintenance to insure their health.
Teeth: should be cleaned when tartar build up is noticeable. Your vet can clean their teeth when necessary. You can also clean their teeth with a special tartar tool. Do NOT do it yourself if you don't know how. Scrapping their teeth is not an easy task! This usually requires two person job.
Ears: Should be cleaned regularly. This helps reduce wax buildup and prevent ear mites. Q-tips is a good tool in cleaning the ears.
Nails: Nail trimming is important because a long nail will get caught in fabrics causing a painful injury as they struggle to get free. To clip their nails, put some Ferretone on their tummies and let them lick it off. Meanwhile you can clip away while they are preoccupied with the Ferretone. This works very well and is a nice way for you and your ferret to spend some quality time together. Make sure to cut above the red vein in their nail. To be safe, always cut conservatively. A special scissors type nail trimmer for cats or birds is available in pet stores but the standard human fingernail trimmer works well too.
Bathing: only when necessary. Some have said 1 month, others have said 3 months. So use your smell and eye to see whether or not they need a bath.
Bedding: clean and fresh daily.
Food: high quality ferret food. High in animal protien. Discuss with the veterinarian to find out what is best for your ferret.
Can ferrets get
fleas?
Like other pets, they can get it by other pets that go outdoors.
Flea collars and canine flea products can be toxic so please use ferret designed
shampoo, baby shampoo, and/or a label that says "safe to use in kittens".
You may also dip the ferret in products containing "pyrethrins".
Safety & First Aid
Veterinarian:
1) reliable and knowledgeable
2) their procedure for after hours emergencies
3) yearly check up: physical and routine vaccinations
Ferret Proofing Your Home:
1) holes throughout the house: no matter how small it is
2) sharp objects, rubber, styrofoam, foam rubber, latex, small pieces that can
be swallowed. This will cause intestinal blockage.
3) Household appliances. Check fridge, dishwasher, dryer, trash and washing
machines. Ferrets seek places to sleep and can end up in these places.
4) Never step on clothing or anything that appears lumpy. Your sleeping
ferret could be under there.
5) Recliners. Can be crushed in the foot stool mechanism
6) Do not leave ferrets in any place that heat will rise. They DO NOT
tolerate heat. Causes them to overheat, distress, and even death.
7) Poisonous plants, medicines, glues. Don't leave them laying around.
Pet Safety: Pets and disaster
Red Cross has listed several things to be aware of if
disaster would strike in your area. It gives you descriptions, what to
pack, etc. Please be aware that you need "ferret" items as well.
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