All CategoriesFerretSmall AnimalKeeping Ferrets as Pets
Ferrets can make very friendly, entertaining and fun pets, and like kittens and puppies, baby ferrets (kits) are cute and adorable. However they grow up fast and will need some very specific requirements.
Ferrets can live up to 10 years and be a pleasure to own but daily handling from an early age is a must. Make sure your potential new pet has been well handled from 3 weeks of age. They can leave their mum at 8 weeks and must be handled every day.
Most young ferrets will be available to buy from mid July to mid September. By the following January the males (hobs) will start to become very smelly as they will be coming into breeding condition. A visit to the vets for castration will sort this out, greatly reduce the odour and will make them a lot more pleasant to own and handle.
By April the females (jills) will also come into breeding condition and whilst they won’t smell as strong, they cannot be left all year without either a hormone injection or full spaying by your vet, otherwise their health will suffer and eventually they will die.
Ferrets are meat eaters (carnivores) and must be fed daily with one of the many high protein ferret diets available or a quality cat food. Fresh water must always be available however, use a drinking bottle as any bowl will continually be tipped over.
Ferrets are very active and need as large a space or hutch as you can afford. They can be kept outside all year round but do not position their home in direct sun light, as ferrets can very quickly succumb to heatstroke which can be fatal. They love each other’s company but must be spayed or castrated otherwise possible fights will occur. They will love tubes, cat toys and hammocks which will keep them entertained for hours. But be warned, ferrets are great escape artists so their home must be well built and secure.
Do not under any circumstances house them with any rabbit, guinea pig or any other small mammal, as the ferret will find them very tasty!
So while baby ferrets are very cute and adults make excellent pets they are not for everyone – so please don’t buy on impulse.
For further information please don’t hesitate to contact us!
