Ferrets’ name in Latin means ‘little thief,’ a group of them is called a ‘business,’ a female is called a ‘jill’, a male is a ‘hob’, and a juvenile is a ‘kit’. People have been keeping ferrets for more than 2,000 years, starting as a hunter’s aid to flush out…
The biggest decision to make (after deciding to keep ferrets as companions) is where to keep them. This is a decision that can affect your life (and your ferrets’ lives!) for the next 10 years (or more), so it is one worth giving a lot of thought. Ferrets need a…
If you have decided you would like to have ferret companions in your life, are confident you can provide for their mental and physical needs long term, and are sure it is legal to own a ferret where you live, the next step is to set up everything at home…
Ferret dietary needs There are two key facts to understand when you are planning a diet for your ferrets: They are obligate carnivores – they must eat meat. A ferret has slightly more than half the length of intestine of a cat the same size. Food passes though the mouth,…
Internal parasites Adult ferrets are rarely affected by internal parasites such as worms, but juvenile ferrets (whose immune systems are not fully developed) are susceptible to coccidiosis and Giardia – protozoal (single-celled) parasites that cause severe diarrhoea and weight loss. Your ferret should be assessed for these parasites on their…
Normal social behaviour Domesticated ferrets, unlike their wild cousins (the polecat and the weasel), are diurnal animals (active during the day), and many can be kept in pairs or groups without conflict. Their domestication has also meant that they have evolved from their more solitary ancestors to be more social…
As with all animals, ferrets should be handled gently and with kindness and patience. They should be given choice about if, when, and how they interact with people. Using reward-based training (e.g., things they enjoy like treats and strokes) to create a positive association with humans and handling from an…
Although ferrets are generally very clean pets, they do need some assistance in grooming themselves from time to time. Grooming includes bathing and drying, nail trimming, coat brushing, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. Brushing Ferrets groom themselves by using their tongue. After a while, if they are swallowing the hair…
Ferrets are curious and intelligent creatures. While this makes them both fun and entertaining companions, it can also lead them into trouble. Ferrets will explore every nook and cranny in their environment, pick up any object they find (and often swallow it), chew on anything they can fit into their…
Cleaning up after ferrets have been to the toilet is not necessarily one of the most fun things about owning them – but it’s very important! The good news is your ferrets are smart, and they’ll quickly and easily learn to use a litter box with a little bit of…