Ferret Care Sheet

They were bred about 3,000 years ago in mass quantities to get rid of  smaller rodents.  Their two closest relatives are the European Polecat and the Black Footed Ferret. They usually grow to about 16″ inches long and live from about 5-10 years.  In captivity, more towards 10.

Housing: Ferret housing is not hard to find at all. you can get a wide variety of cages but I would recommend the FERRET NATION cage available at Petsmart.

Litter Boxes: Place litter boxes in all corners of cage except eating areas. do not place litter box next to food. Remember clean the litter box a few times each week.

Litter Training:  Make sure you litter train your ferret.  Even though you litter train your ferret, it does not mean that 100% of the time it will go in the litter box.  Keep an eye on your ferret when letting it run around, they go to the bathroom quite frequently.   Here are 10 steps to help litter train your pet

1. Put litter boxes everywhere in cage
2. Give treats when they use the litter box
3. Expand play area each time they go
4. Reward your ferret for going
5. Add a new toy each time they go
6. Clean up messes
7. Dont hurt the ferret if it dosent make it in litter box
8. Add litter boxes untill all corners are covered
9. Make sure litter boxes are attached to spot (ferrets like to tip litter boxes over, thinking it’s a toy)
10. Enjoy the pleasure of your ferret using litter box

Diet: The ferrets diet is very simple. Ferrets enjoy protein which makes up 90% of their diet. You can buy ferret food.  Many have fed their ferrets Dry Cat Food, such as Friskies.  They will munch on just about all human foods, however it may not be good for them, so its important that you stick with a strict diet.  Be sure to avoid letting them get into chocolate, aluminum, or anything small that they might choke on.

Bedding:  Ferrets enjoy sleeping on hammocks or coiling up in a blanket. Make sure the hammock is in good condition. because ferrets like digging and scratching on the cloth.  They are known to chew and tear apart fabric.  Be sure to wash their blanket or hammock every once in a while.

Toys and Playtime:  Ferrets require at least an hour of attention each day, however if a day or two is missed, it’s not all that bad. They love to sleep.

Good ferret toys include:

1. Ferret tubes
2. Balls
3. Stuffed animals
4. Anything that makes noise
5. Something with your scent on it

Ferrets will take and hide just about anything it can drag or move away that has the owner’s scent on it.  If you have something like a flip flop or socks missing, more than likely your ferret took it and hid it behind something.

Tricks: Ferrets can perform a wide variety of tricks including flips, standing up, the ferret dance, playing ball and much more

Fighting: Ferrets do fight. Dont worry ferrets usually dont hurt eachother in battles. but if you hear a loud shriek. seperate the 2 ferrets. if ones bleeding. immediatly go to a vet.  In most animals, fighting occurs between two males.

The Ferret Dance: The ferret dance may surprise you. but when your ferrets going crazy he’s actually happy and preforming a dance. It almost appears as if they move sideways with a hop.