Important Information About Ferrets

When having a ferret for a pet, one must always supervise their handling especially with young children. These cute furry animals make good companions especially if they were born in captivity. They exude a very curious personality and are a good source of entertainment. As they are playful pets, they need to be constantly attended to unlike other pets like felines. But their activities are in short intense bursts which leave them exhausted for long periods of time. They tend to be very active in the early morning hours or the late night. As they are natural burrowers, they tend to like dark corners or areas.

The downside to having pet ferrets is that they tend to bite and with their very sharp teeth, the bite is quite deep and painful. They have a keen sense of smell and hearing, but are nearsighted. They have a life span of nearly ten years. They come in a variety of colors such as albino, black, champagne, chocolate and white.

It is best that these ferrets have cages, and any kind of cage would do. Wire cages are the most commercially available and the size must be at least twenty four inches in length, fourteen inches in width and ten inches in height. The cage must provide a litter box, a water bottle, a food container, and a sleep and play area. These pets need to be let out between three to four hours per day and this is the best time to play with them. In order to make the ferret active even without your attention, the cage must have lots of toys and space for play. Regular cleaning also helps keep the ferret clean and disease free.

Clean bedding would keep your pet ferret disease free and without nasty odor. Also, regular washing the cage is also important to keep germs and grime from breeding parasites. Soft bedding from old shirts can be made or you can use straw. Avoid having hay or wood beddings as this causes respiratory problems in both the pet and owner.

Ferret diet must consist of food that are high protein and fat, but low in fiber. Remember that these are carnivorous animals and thus need meat-based protein with fat. Fresh water must also be available, and this can be dispensed in a bowl and a water dispenser. Also, ferret care includes vaccinations for ferret distemper and good mating habits.