A Bit of History

Ferrets belong to the family Mustelidae and are closely related to weasles, mink, skunks, badgers and otters. There are references to domestication of ferrets found in literature dating back to the 4th Century B.C.; in these times they were used to control rabbits, snakes and rodents. This practice goes on even today, throughout Europe. Ferrets are also used on ships to control vermin and can be trained to carry cables along underground pipes.

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Why Own a Ferret?

Ferrets are best kept in pairs or groups as they are very sociable animals. I, myself, keep three female ferrets in a reasonably large enclosure, together. They love nothing more than to play and can be very entertaining to watch. They have mock fights, play chase, they wrestle, roll and tumble, they often vocalise with a hiss or a chuckle and they will interact with most toys and, of course, their handler.
Ferrets are very inquisitive and will explore any nook or cranny which, yes, includes pockets and the infamous trouser leg! Their care and well being is no more difficult than owning a dog or cat, once some basic ideas are grasped, and if good husbandry is adhered to there should be few problems.

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The Basic Requirements of Ferret-Keeping

As a general rule, ferrets require three main areas in their enclosure: a comfortable sleeping area (usually a box or hutch), a play area (where feeding also takes place) and a toilet area.
Ferrets usually urinate and defaecate in the same corner all the time; this makes it very easy to litter train them should you decide to keep "house-ferrets" and makes it easier when "mucking-out" the pen. The toilet area should be cleaned daily to reduce the smell and the risk of bacteria which may lead to ill-health.

It is usually best to feed two meals a day and a balanced diet is essential. The old-fashioned idea of feeding "bread and milk" is outdated and, indeed, dangerous as it will not provide all the nutrients a ferret needs. There are commercially-produced ferret foods available and these can be fed alone or accompanied by small pieces of meat such as rabbit or chicken. In the wild, ferrets would eat rabbits, rodents, some birds, fish and amphibians so most meats would be readily accepted. Dry cat or kitten food is also acceptable and the occasional egg as a treat will, no doubt, be lapped up with great excitement. It is important to remove any uneaten food regularly as ferrets tend to store food in piles which will go rancid quickly, especially in warmer weather.

Ferret toys can be as simple as cardboard boxes, pipes and tubes, a ball on a string and most cat toys are fine as long as they cannot be chewed and swallowed. As well as toys, ferrets should also be handled daily; owner interaction is vital to keep them tame and sociable. For this reason, it is advisable to get your ferret(s) shortly after they are weaned from their mother so that they are used to being handled from a young age.

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Ferret Facts and Figures

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Some Common Problems when Keeping Ferrets 

Abscesses from bite wounds

Ear Mites

Ectoparasites: fleas, ticks and mites.

Respiratory Problems

Ferrets, as with any other animal, can be susceptible to a whole range of conditions from general sickness with vomiting through to tumours. Many conditions are unavoidable such as the common cold in you or me but you should always ensure that your standards of care and husbandry are of the highest possible order as many diseases are cause by a poor understanding of the ferret's basic needs.

Individual advice on nutrition and husbandry can be given to our clients over the phone if you call the practice (01382) 225422

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The Ferret's Place in Our Practice

Vaccinations

Neutering the Female

Neutering the Male

A General Health Check