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Health Care for Ferrets
Ferrets have been domestic pets for many generations. They are descended from the
European weasel and are related to badgers and skunks. The female is called a “Jill”
and the male is called a “hob”. Babies are called “kits”.
The gestation period of ferrets is between 42 and 44 days, (average is 42 days).
The average litter size is 8 (range is 2 – 17). Kits are born deaf and with their
eyes closed. Their eyes open and they begin to hear between 3 – 5 weeks of age.
Their deciduous (“temporary”) teeth begin to erupt at 2 weeks of age, at which time
the kits can begin to eat solid food, although kits are generally weaned onto commercial
kitten chows between 4 – 8 weeks of age. Kits reach their adult weight by the time
they are 4 months old. Males are typically twice the size of females, but both sexes
undergo periodic weight fluctuations. It is not uncommon for the average ferret
to add 30 – 40 % to its body weight in fat deposited beneath the skin in the fall
and lose this fat and the weight it represents the following spring. The average
life span of ferrets is 6 – 10 years.
Behavior
Ferrets make wonderful pets because of their engaging personalities, playful activity
and their fastidious nature. They can be easily trained to use a litter box because
they tend to habitually urinate and defecate in the same places. Provide a low-side
litter box for easy entry and exit. It may be necessary to provide more than one
if there are more than one ferrets in the environment.
There is no innate animosity between ferrets, dogs, and cats. They all can usually
share a household with little difficulty. Ferrets have been known to attack pet
birds, however, so it is advisable for owners of both to take appropriate precautions
to prevent these encounters. When the different species are together, they should
be carefully supervised, especially when there are large size differences between
the animals.
Ferrets are naturally inquisitive and can squeeze through deceptively small spaces.
It is important to “ferret-proof” your house before bringing your pet home. Thoroughly
check every room it will inhabit, sealing all holes and openings wider than one
inch in diameter. Make sure that all windows that will be open have secured screens
and check openings around plumbing, heating and air conditioning ducts/pipes. Some
kits are small enough to squeeze under some doors. Ferrets are so small and silent
that you will usually not hear them approach and they are easily stepped on when
they are sleeping under a throw rug or suddenly turn up under foot.
Their love of tunneling and their inherent curiosity frequently places them in potentially
dangerous situations. They could very easily crawl unnoticed into your refrigerator,
into the bottom broiler of a stove, through the rungs of a balcony railing or slip
out the front door, or even end up in the washing machine with a pile of clothes
under which the ferret was sleeping. Other dangers include folding sofa beds and
reclining chairs. The obvious solution to avoiding accident and injury is to learn
your ferret’s habits and be constantly vigilant and not allow them to run free in
the house with out constant supervision.
The typical ferret diet consists of commercial cat chow; dry food is most commonly
fed. Also available is a commercial ferret chow. These diets will usually fulfill
the requirements of ferrets; however, periodically an animal will develop hair loss
particularly on the tail. It can be caused be several things including vitamin deficiency,
so a vitamin supplement can be added to the diet.
The objectionable odor of pet ferrets is primarily the result of the influence of
sex hormones of normal skin secretions. Consequently, neutering male and spaying
female ferrets is usually sufficient to control this problem. This is usually done
at 6 – 8 months of age. Neutering male ferrets also helps to reduce any aggressive
tendencies that they may possess. A very pungent and equally objectionable secretion
is produced on occasion by the ferret’s scent (anal) glands. Some owners elect to
have their pet ferret descented in addition to sterilization but the latter surgical
procedure is usually all that is necessary.
Ferrets are highly susceptible to canine distemper and should be kept away from
any unvaccinated dogs. The initial signs of the disease appear 7 – 10 days after
exposure to the virus and include in appetence and a thick mucous and pus-ladened
discharge from the eyes and nostrils. A rash commonly appears under the chin and
in the groin area 10 – 12 days following exposure. The foot pads become greatly
thickened. This disease is considered 100% fatal, with infected ferrets dying 3
– 3 ½ weeks after initial exposure.
Prevention of this disease should be an absolute priority because treatment is useless.
Kits should first be vaccinated against canine distemper at 6 -8 weeks of age (4
– 6 weeks of age if kits are from unvaccinated mothers). A booster vaccine is essential
2 -3 weeks later. We use modified live vaccines and recommend yearly boosters.
Female ferrets can come into heat several times in the breeding season of March
through August. The act of breeding causes the female to ovulate. Heat is indicated
by swelling of the vulva. If a ferret is not bred she can stay in heat for up to
5 – 6 months. This continuous estrus can cause bone marrow suppression resulting
in the lack of red blood cell production causing a severe anemia. For this reason
it is recommended to have all female ferrets spayed if they are not going to be
bred.
At this time it is not known for sure if ferrets are susceptible to Feline Leukemia
Virus or Feline Distemper and these vaccinations are not routinely given. Ferrets
are, however, susceptible to rabies. Efficacy studies have not been done to see
if ferrets are actually protected by rabies vaccine, but they don’t hurt the ferret.
We do recommend rabies vaccine at 3 months of age and annual boosters.
One disease ferrets are prone to is the human flu. It looks like distemper but ferrets
can recover from this disease so symptomatic treatment with fluids and antibiotics
are recommended. Any person with flulike symptoms should not handle ferrets.
Ferrets can develop parasites from association with other animals. For instance:
ear mites, intestinal worms and protozoa and ringworm. Fleas and ticks can be found
on ferrets; however, a flea collar should never be used.
Ferrets can develop hairballs just like cats and can be given substance like laxatone
to prevent problems. They are also very aggressive chewers, especially substances
like from rubber, which can cause blockages of the intestinal tract.
Ferrets can be very friendly and entertaining companions but have been known to
bite when startled, and if dropped or thrown because of biting has been a cause
for serious spinal and head injuries. Children should be watched while handling
ferrets at all times.
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