Ferret Care Handbook

Habitat
Ferrets are active, fun-loving animals who require playtime and exercise. They should be kept in wire cages at least two feet by two feet by 14 inches. Wire or bar cages provide a well ventilated space. Playtime outside of the cage will keep your ferrets happy, but never leave them unsupervised. Wherever they are outside of their cage should be ferret-proofed, since they can easily get through small spaces and are very curious creatures. If they have little time outside of their cage, you may want to use a larger cage.

Cages should have a soft blanket in one corner for the ferret to sleep on--towels can get caught on ferrets' nails and should not be used. The blanket should be washed frequently to avoid foul smells. Cages can be lined with cloth pads, or with linoleum squares. Don't use wood shavings. A litter pan with clay litter is also necessary and should be cleaned every 1-3 days. A food bowl and water bottle should be present and cleaned daily.

A wide variety of toys should be around the cage. You may want to rotate the toys in and out of the cage once in a while so your ferret does not get bored. Hard plastic toys are good for ferrets because they cannot be chewed apart or swallowed. Dryer hoses also make great toys. Ferrets might nip or grab onto your fingers while playing. A loud, sharp, "No," should dismiss this.

Extreme temperatures are not good for ferrets, so they should be kept indoors. Since they cannot sweat, and are able to get fleas, they should not be allowed outdoors.

http://www.ferret-universe.com/
Tons of information on ferrets from Ferret Universe.

http://www.everythingferret.com/ferret_proofing.htm
How to ferret proof your home and keep your ferret safe.

http://www.everythingferret.com/housing_your_ferret.htm
Housing and cages for ferrets.

Useful Ferret Ebook

http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Ferret-Care-Health-ebook/dp/B006GZUKX0/ US Version

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pet-Ferret-Care-Health-ebook/dp/B006GZUKX0/ UK Version

Contains tons of information about from a guy that regularly gives tips to over 7000 ferret owners.

Ferret Diet
Because ferrets are carnivores, they need a lot of meat and protein in their diet. Foods with turkey, lamb, chicken, and beef are all suitable for a ferret's diet. They can eat cat food, but be sure to check the label to make sure the food has at least 30 percent protein and 15 percent fat.

There are ferret vitamin supplements available at pet stores. Vitamin A can be fatal in large amounts, so do not overfeed your ferret any vitamins. Many people also choose to give their ferrets a hairball remedy.

While fruits and vegetables are not contributory to the nutrition of ferrets, they are good for occasional treats. Cat treats, peanut butter, and wheat crackers also make good treats. Never feed your ferret chocolate or anything that is difficult to digest. Milk tends to give them diarrhea, so keep them away from cream and ice cream. Onions and garlic have been known to cause anemia in dogs and cats, so they might not be a good treat for your ferret. The intestines of ferrets are very small. Never let your ferret eat anything inappropriate.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=11+1296&aid=498
Ferret general education.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=479
All about the ferret diet.

http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/pdfs/ferrets/ferretdiet.pdf
Ferret diet.

Ferret Health
The lifespan of a ferret is seven to ten years. They are extremely playful. If they are inactive for more than a day, call your vet. Similar to dogs and cats, ferrets should be vaccinated for rabies. They are also susceptible to canine distemper virus, and should be vaccinated accordingly.

Ferrets are related to skunks, badgers, and wolverines and share their musky odor. During mating season, males tend to get aggressive and females can become fatally anemic. Ferrets from pet stores should already be spayed/neutered, but if you get your ferret from a breeder, be sure to get it fixed.

The small amount of five fleas can give a ferret anemia. Never let your ferret outside. Only use flea sprays or shampoos that are appropriate for cats or ferrets. Ferrets are also prone to different types of cancer, so be sure to have regular vet check-ups. Try to find a vet who is familiar with ferrets. They can catch the common cold, which can be cured by drinking lots of water and resting. They are also able to get pneumonia. Mosquitoes and heartworms are dangerous to ferrets. You can get heartworm preventatives from your vet. Mosquitoes can carry viruses (and heartworm disease) harmful to your ferret.

Ferrets are small, delicate beings with fragile skeletons. Never pick up a ferret by the tail. They have poor vision, so you should avoid sudden movements. Try to keep you ferret away from loud noises. Be sure not to use any strongly scented soaps or perfumes before handling your ferret, as they have a very acute sense of smell.

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/ferrets/
Caring for ferrets video from the Humane Society. .

http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?art_key=b159d151-c353-43de-9ebb-432853f2a8ae
Ferret care from Healthy Pet Care.

http://www.ferretcare.org/healthy-ferret-care.php
Healthy ferret care.

http://www.ferretcare.org/ferretvaccinations.php
Information about ferret vaccinations

Hygiene
Ferrets should be bathed once or twice a month. Frequent bathing can dry out the skin. Use a gentle shampoo, such as ferret shampoo, kitten shampoo, or diluted baby shampoo. You can use a bathtub or kitchen sink. Be careful not to fill the bath too much--the ferret should be able to touch the bottom with most of their body submerged. The water should be warm, but not too hot. Gently rub them dry with a towel, and do not use a blow-dryer.

Ferrets require regular brushing, especially during the shedding season. Ferret brushes are available at most pet stores, and you can also use soft, short-bristled brushes or rubber grooming tools. Brushing them not only keeps their coats in good condition, but also prevents hairballs. In addition to brushing, there is a hair ball preventative gel that and be given as a treat to your ferret.

Because ferrets tend to have waxy ears and are prone to ear mites, regularly cleaning their ears is crucial. Cleaning out the ears often will help you be familiar with the earwax and ears, so that you will notice if something has changed. Ferret ears can be cleaned with a mild cleaning solution from the pet store (anything for kittens should also be appropriate to use on ferrets).

Brushing your ferret's teeth can be difficult, but will definitely benefit your pet in the long run. You can use a cat toothbrush and ferret vitamin supplement made from gel or liquid. Never use human toothpaste, as this can be toxic to the ferret.

Human nail clippers or ferret nail clippers can be used to trim ferrets' nails. Most ferrets need nail trimmings about every two weeks. Be careful not to cut the red vein that runs through the nail. Be very gentle, and do not cut the nails too short.

http://www.wuzzles.com/ferrets/documents/generalferretinformationf.htm
All about ferrets.

http://www.ferretsanonymous.com/medical/bdls/bdl_dental.html
Ferret dental hygiene

http://www.ferret-town.net/health.html
Ferret Hygiene

http://www.petfinder.com/pet-care/ferret-teeth-dental-care.html
About Ferret Teeth and Dental Care for Ferrets


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