Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are a member of the Mustelid family and are related to otters, mink and weasels. They generally live for an average of 5-8 years however some can live longer.
The general rule for ferret housing is to provide the largest cage that is possible in any given situation. Ferrets can be kept either outside or inside if appropriate housing and protection from the weather is provided. They need to have a large space to run and play as well as having a cosy bedroom to sleep in. Ferrets generally sleep for up to 17 hours of the day, and for this reason it is important that their bedroom is filled with lots of blankets so that they can burrow, tunnel and hide. It is also a good idea to provide cardboard or plastic boxes or tubing to allow them to hide and be in the dark if they want to.
It is important to provide ferrets with as much out of cage play time as possible.
As ferrets are very inquisitive it is important that they are always supervised to ensure they don’t chew on or ingest anything that they shouldn’t. Please also be very careful if you have any reclining chairs or couches as ferrets love to hide and play in and under these.
Ferrets are escape artists and every year we see many stray ferrets come through our doors. Sadly, we have been unable to locate their owners. Therefore, we always recommend every ferret should be microchipped.
Ferret health information
Vaccinations
Ferrets can be vaccinated against the distemper virus. Unfortunately, here in the UK a ferret specific vaccine does not exist. We use the dog vaccine off licence.
Distemper is 100% fatal to ferrets. It can be passed on to ferrets via inanimate objects, direct contact with infected animals, urine from infected animals and via air borne particles.
Luckily distemper is rare in the UK but it can be spread by foxes or unvaccinated dogs.
Vaccination is usually recommended for ferrets that may hunt, explore in areas foxes may be present or those attending ferret shows. Some ferret hotels/boarding may require proof of vaccination before attendance.
Ferrets can be vaccinated from 12 weeks of age and a booster can be given yearly.
Dental care
Ferrets have 34 teeth in total which are highly specialised, including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
Ferrets can be susceptible to dental disease which can be exacerbated with kibble diets.
It is important to check your ferrets’ teeth regularly for any signs of dental disease. A vet or nurse can check for signs of gingivitis, plaque, and calculus.
Chipped teeth are also common, often due to fractious play.
Ferrets can hide pain very well and may continue to eat even when in discomfort.
Dental procedures can be offered to ferrets just like our cat and dog patients.
Parasites
Ferrets can pick up parasites just like dogs and cats can. There are licensed products available to us to prevent parasite infection in ferrets.
Monthly spot-on treatments are popular.
Signs of parasites may include fur loss, pruritus (itching) and/or alopecia (fur loss)
Nutrition
Ferrets are carnivores meaning that most of their diet needs to be made up of meat and animal products. They have a very high metabolic rate and need to always have access to food and fresh water. It is often advisable to use heavy food and water bowls to prevent them from tipping them over.
There are plenty of ferret kibble products on the market, please ensure that the commercial dry food you are feeding has an animal-based protein content of around 35%, a fat content of around 20% and a low carbohydrate percentage. Please stay clear of foods that contain peas as these have shown to increase the change your ferret may produce stones in the urinary tract.
Some owners prefer to feed a more natural diet of ‘whole prey’ items, for example rodents or rabbits that have been killed, frozen and then thawed. These are available from a range of reptile shops. Please adhere to strict hygiene protocols when handing raw meat and make sure meat is not stashed or hidden as this will spoil quickly.
A raw egg or salmon oil make tasty healthy treats. Beware of ferret pastes as they contain a lot of sugar.
Neutering
Reasons we recommend neutering include:
- Preventing a life-threatening anaemia from developing in female ferrets
- To significantly reduce their pungent body odour
- Reducing the risk of fights occurring if you have more than one ferret
- Decreasing aggression
- Prevents unwanted pregnancies
If you are considering surgical neutering, the risk of adrenal disease must be discussed and fully understood before booking the procedure.
Chemical implants are available, and we can happily discuss this option with you.
We hope your ferret stays happy and healthy but here are some signs to watch out for. Any of the below should be investigated by a vet.
- Lethargy
- Diarrhoea
- Weak hind legs
- Vomiting
- Hair loss
- Not eating or not drinking
- Dull eye colour or coat
- Dirty teeth
- Scratching excessively
- Lumps and bumps on top of or below the skin surface
- Coughing