Ferret Cleaning and Maintenance
Spot-clean your ferret’s bedding daily, removing any soiled material and uneaten food.
The entire habitat and its contents should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week (or more often if multiple ferrets are housed in the same enclosure).
To clean a ferret’s habitat, take these steps:
Move the ferret to a pet-safe temporary enclosure and remove any old bedding or litter from the habitat.
Use a small animal habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution to wash the habitat and any accessories. The bleach solution should stay on the habitat for at least 10 minutes to ensure that the surfaces are properly disinfected. If using a commercial habitat cleaner, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Rinse the habitat and accessories thoroughly with water, making sure to remove any trace amounts or residual smells of the cleaning agent or bleach solution.
Allow the habitat and its contents to dry completely before placing new bedding and clean accessories into the enclosure.
Return the ferret to the clean habitat.
Ferret Diet
Ferret Food
Like cats, ferrets are obligate carnivores that need a diet high in animal protein. Feed your ferrets a high-quality pelleted diet designed for ferrets and small amounts of lean, cooked meat. Domesticated ferrets should not be offered raw meat.
High-protein, low-carb treats can be offered on occasion.
FAQs
Ferret Feeding Guidelines
Healthy adult ferrets should be fed twice a day. Ferrets with constant access to food and little physical/mental stimulation will eat all day out of boredom, which can lead to unwanted weight gain.
Moisten all food given to ferrets under 16 weeks of age to ensure they stay hydrated and easily consume their meals.
Food no longer needs to be moistened once a ferret has grown all their adult teeth, provided that the animal is drinking enough water. Adult ferret teeth erupt between 7–11 weeks of age on average.
Do not allow ferrets to consume chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol, as they are all toxic and can cause death or serious illness.
Sugar and high-fat treats (including raisins and other dried fruits, nuts, and seeds) should also be avoided because they can cause digestive upset.
Ferret Veterinary Care
Ferrets should be examined by a veterinarian once annually when young and twice annually as seniors (after about 5 years of age).
They can be transported in a cat carrier, just be sure to bring pictures of their enclosure, food, and bedding packaging. It is also best to bring a fresh fecal sample with you to the annual appointment.
Signs of a Healthy Ferret
Clean, clear, bright eyes
Clean ears
Clean nostrils
Intact, long, relaxed whiskers
Trimmed, intact nails
Lean, flexible body with a smooth, shiny, intact hair coat
Clean urogenital region
Bright, inquisitive personality
Good appetite
Clean, intact teeth
When To Call a Vet
Eyes that are cloudy or have discharge
Debris or discharge in ears
Nasal discharge
Excessively broken whiskers or whiskers held constantly close and bunched to the cheeks
Broken nails
Hair loss
Urine or fecal staining or diarrhea
Lethargy
Loss or lack of appetite
Broken teeth
Common Illnesses in Ferrets
GI (gastrointestinal) obstruction
Adrenal disease
Pancreatic tumors
Congestive heart failure
Inflammatory bowel disease
Lymphoma
Enlarged spleen
Parasites
Trauma
Ferret FAQs
Are ferrets cuddly?
Ferrets tend to struggle with keeping still, especially when young or if they’re female. That being said, ferrets love to interact with people and crawl over them and depending on personality, sex, and age, will almost certainly love cuddles at the right times.
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Knowing more about the biology and behaviour of ferrets can help you to understand them. Read the facts below to find out more about these furry creatures.