The Ferret Guide
History and Biology
The ferret, Mustela putorius furo, belongs to the Mustelidae family and is closely relatedto mink, weasels, stoats, skunks, badgers and otters. The ferret has been kept formany purposes, such as the control of rabbit and rat populations. However, ferrets arebeing increasingly kept as pets in Europe and North America.
Ferrets may come in a variety of colours:
•Fitch – this is the most common colour and these ferrets are often referred to as ‘polecats’. They have black guard hair with a cream undercoat and a black mask and points.
•Albino – these animals have white hair which often tends to ‘yellow with age due to sebaceous gland secretions.
•Cinnamon – the guard hairs in the coat of these ferrets is beige and the undercoat is cream in colour. There is no ‘mask’ on the face of these ferrets.
Ferrets will moult in the spring and autumn, which corresponds with a seasonal fluctuation in bodyweight. The summer coat is short and sparse and the winter coat has a thick, soft undercoat with longer glossy guard hairs developing in the autumn. There are numerous sebaceous glands in the skin of ferrets and the secretion from these glands spreads over the body to give the ferret a characteristic musky odour. During the breeding season the quantity of sebaceous secretion increases, causing an increase in odour and an oily feel to the coat.
Ferrets have short noses, short furry ears, and long tubular bodies with short limbs. It is these characteristics that enable them to move freely in confined spaces and to turn around in narrow tunnels. Their claws may need regular trimming, particularly in older or non working animals. The average bodyweight of the male (hob) is 1200grams, whereas the average body weight of the female (jill) is 600grams. The average life expectancy is eight to ten years, which is much longer than most other small mammal pets.
Housing
Ferrets are very sociable animals and should be kept in compatible pairs or groups whenever possible. Jills (without litters), young animals before maturity and castrated males (hobbles) are suitable to be housed as a group. A jill and a hob may also be housed together, although they may fight if a litter is born and are then best kept apart for this period.
Housing must be well built, since ferrets are very good at escaping. Ferrets are also lively and playful with an inquisitive nature and benefit from plastic tubes and climbing frames placed within their environment. Young ferrets will chew, so it is important to make sure that play things are not small or easily destructible items which can be swallowed. Latex rubber items should be always be avoided. Ferrets may be regularly let out of their pens or cages under supervision to play, but should not be kept alongside rabbits or rodents or other animals the ferrets are likely to assume are prey.
The ferret cage should be high enough to allow the ferret to stand on its hind legs to investigate its surroundings and large enough to provide a nest box (sleeping area), a litter box, a feeding area and some space for play.
Ferrets often only use one corner of the cage or pen as a toilet, so a litter box should be placed in this area which should be away from the sleeping area, food and water. The nest box could be a wooden or cardboard box that offers a hiding place. It should be lined with dust-free bedding material such as good quality straw or wood shavings. Avoid using pine or cedar shavings because the oils they contain can cause health problems. The housing should have a solid floor and be lined with a thick layer of bedding material to absorb any urine or faeces and to enable the ferret to burrow and play in it. Glass tanks are not suitable because ventilation within them is very poor. Plastic tubes, cardboard boxes and small branches are useful, offering ferrets the opportunity to play and express their natural behaviour.
The litter box should be cleaned regularly and the bedding in the rest of the pen changed at least once or twice weekly. The whole pen should be disinfected weekly. Safe disinfectants can be purchased from your local vet, or you may ask your vet to recommend a suitable type of disinfectant to use.
Ferrets can be housed inside or outside if the environment is suitable. If housed outside, there should be sufficient protection and shelter from the extremes of the weather. The resting area should be clean and offer enough insulation against colder conditions. Good ventilation is important for all ferrets because ferrets are susceptible to respiratory infections. If you are worried that your ferret may have a respiratory infection, please contact your vet.
Diet
The ferret is a carnivore. Highly digestible diets with a high energy content and protein level are required because food travels through the intestines of the ferret quite quickly.
A commercial ferret dry pellet diet should be fed. Dry diets may also help to decrease the amount of dental calculi formed. Canned cat or dog foods contain insufficient protein for ferrets and can increase the incidence of dental disease. Ferrets like eggs and will appreciate these as an occasional treat. Fresh water should be available at all times.
Water should be provided in either a bowl or bottle which should be cleaned and refilled daily. Water containers should not be galvanised as this may lead to zinc toxicity. Food can be provided in a container that is attached to the side of the cage or in a bowl that is sufficiently heavy enough to prevent the ferret from tipping it over.
Handling and Behaviour
Young ferrets like to play and common activities seen whilst playing include mock aggression, play chasing, pouncing and wrestling.
Young ferrets respond well to frequent handling and will soon become friendly, although they can be unpredictable and young children should be supervised when handling ferrets. jills nursing their young can become quite aggressive and protective of their kits.
Ferrets should be picked up by placing one hand around the chest whilst supporting the hind legs with the other hand.
Identification
Micro-chipping ferrets is a permanent method of identification. The microchip is implanted under the skin at the back of the neck or between the shoulder blades.
Neutering
Ferrets become sexually mature in the spring following birth, at approximately 8-12 months of age. They are seasonal breeders, with the females being active between March and September, and the males from December to July.
Jills (female ferrets) will begin their season (oestrus) under the influence of light; day length exceeding twelve hours in length will trigger the beginning of the season which will continue until the day length decreases again to less than twelve hours. If a jill is not mated, she will have a persistent oestrus, which can lead to hair loss and often fatal bone marrow suppression. The best preventative measure is to neuter the ferret within its first year before the oestrus season has begun, usually from January to February, at six to nine months of age.
Castration – neutering of male ferrets reduces the secretion of their sebaceous glands during the breeding season so that there is less odour and reduces their dominant character. This procedure can be performed from six to eight months of age.
Vasectomy – Vasectomised hobs may be needed to run with intact females to prevent persistent oestrus. This procedure is best performed when the hob is in season.
Common Disease Problems and Ailments
Canine Distemper – Canine Distemper is a serious viral infection in ferrets. Infected ferrets have ocular and nasal discharge, lack of appetite, fever, sneezing, coughing and develop ‘hard pad’. Infection with this virus is almost always fatal. Ferrets can be vaccinated against this condition. Dogs are the main source of distemper, so care should be taken not to expose ferrets to infected dogs. However, since the incidence of Distemper in dogs is low in most parts of the UK, the disease is correspondingly rare in ferrets.
Influenza - Ferrets are highly susceptible to several strains of human influenza virus. Humans can infect ferrets and vice versa. The symptoms are similar to Canine Distemper, but less severe – nasal discharge, sneezing and coughing. Infection is not usually fatal.
Fleas - Ferrets may get fleas like cats and dogs.
Ear mites - Ear mites are very common in ferrets and cause ear irritation with a crusty black/brown discharge.
Dental disease – look for signs of tartar build up on teeth.
For further information and advice, or if you have ANY reason for concern about your ferret’s health, always consult a veterinary surgeon.
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