General Information
A ferret's average life span is 5 to 8 years, but has been known to reach up to 12 years of age. A female is known as a "jill", a male is a "hob" and babies are "kits". A healthy ferret's body temperature is between 100°F and 104°F. They are near-sighted (focus best on close-up objects), and are best at seeing fast-moving objects. To make up for this, the ferret has extremely acute hearing and is very scent-oriented.

Ferrets naturally have a musky odor, which is greatly improved by neutering. Owners also find that bathing them will help and can be done monthly. If done more often, they will often develop dry itchy skin. A mild shampoo designed for ferrets or cats is acceptable.

Housing
The minimum cage size for a ferret is 24 x 24 x 18 inches high. This cage is adequate for housing one or two ferrets. The floor should be composed of either wire or solid flooring. A glass cage is not acceptable due to the lack of ventilation. The temperature should never be above 90°F. Ferrets require some place dark and cozy to sleep such as a towel or 'tent.' They also require play areas made up of different levels within the cage'such as hammocks and shelves. Ferrets can be litter box trained, but if they are allowed to roam the house, boxes must be placed around the house as well, as there is a very short time from thought to action. A house must also be ferret-proofed if they are allowed to run free. Consult one of our veterinarians for advice.

Toys
Toys are important, but must not be made of latex rubber (like dog toys). Acceptable toys are paper bags, cloth cat or baby toys, metal or hard plastic toys, a section of PVC pipe, large cardboard tubes, etc. Typically, ferrets will be very active for a short period of time followed by a long period of rest.

Diet
Ferrets are, by nature, carnivores (meat eaters). Their bodies are not made to handle a vegetarian or mixed diet. The diet should be low in carbohydrates and fiber, moderate in fat and high in a meat-source protein (not plant protein, like soy). Ferrets LOVE sweets, but will not get enough nutrition to sustain them if owners give in to the temptation to offer them to their pet. The best food is a dry ferret or dry high-quality kitten food. Some ferrets may require a fatty acid supplement as well. The best snacks for ferrets include meat scraps (cooked), liver or fish cat treats or an OCCASIONAL small quantity (1 teaspoon) of vegetables or fruit. Water may be provided by either a sipper bottle or a heavy crockery bowl (non-tipping).

Well Care
An adult ferret should receive an examination by a veterinarian every year to check for early signs of problems. Ferrets also receive two vaccinations: rabies and distemper. Both the ferret distemper vaccine and the rabies vaccine should be special vaccines specifically approved by the FDA for ferrets. Juvenile ferrets, or kits, should receive distemper vaccinations every 3 weeks until they are 13 weeks old.

Diseases
Ferrets are prone to quite a few health problems and it is important to find any problems early in the disease process. Early signs may be found during the annual physical examination. Ferrets can catch the flu (influenza) from humans and should never be handled by people who are sick.

Further diseases include trichobezoars (hair balls), ingested foreign bodies, diarrhea, heartworm, kidney and liver disease, and cancer. A primary disease of older ferrets (3-8 years) is an insulinoma. Warning signs in a sick ferret may include: acute collapse, glassy/glazed eyes, inappetence, salivating, weakness in the hind end, or a gradual onset of weakness. This disease is life threatening and a call to your veterinarian is of utmost importance. Another common disease of ferrets is adrenal gland disease. This also occurs in the same age group but involves hair loss -- usually starting on the tail or hind end and gradually advancing toward the head. The loss usually begins in the late winter or early spring. Some ferrets may go through cycles where the hair regrows in the fall, only to fall out again come the winter. This loss may be accompanied by itching, but often does not. An owner may note an enlarged vulva on a female or difficulty urinating in a male. A common form of cancer is lymphoma or cancer of the lymph system. This can involve many organ systems and present in various ways, but is usually accompanied by weight loss, lethargy and sometimes loss of appetite.

Ferrets commonly acquire fleas, and only a few fleas can cause serious health problems, including death from flea anemia! Our veterinarians recommend Frontline as a safe and effective product to eliminate fleas Ferrets can also develop ear mites, ringworm (a fungus) and mange. If you suspect a problem, bring your ferret in to see the doctor. A false alarm is better than ignoring a serious problem.

Precautions
It is important to choose a pet that is compatible with your lifestyle and family. Give careful consideration to the type of pet you want before purchasing one! Ferrets are carnivores and are not appropriate pets for homes with infants or small pets due to their predatory instincts.

In the proper home, a ferret can make an amusing and delightful pet.