Ferrets

4 Pages 1065 Words

Imagine you’re on the brink between wakefulness and dreamland. You’re not sure whether you’re floating in the Milky Way, eating a mars bar or rolling around in you’re waterbed, chewing on you’re pillow. Then you feel something scurry up your leg. Bolting up in bed, you lift the covers and this is staring at you. This is my little toe biter, Teiko. Owning a ferret can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. They will give you unconditional love and they are an unending source of laughter, if you take care of them right. Taking care of a ferret is a lot of work. If you have a pet of any kind you know what I’m talking about. I have been a ferret owner for about 5 years and I read anything and everything I can about ferrets. When you get a ferret you should have a basic knowledge of ferret health, be able to ferret proof your house, and provide ferret friendly toys.

First let’s talk about the medical aspect of ferret care

Like every animal ferrets need to be seen by a vet regularly. Baby ferrets called kits can be fixed at 5 weeks old and need a distemper booster at about 8 weeks. Male ferrets, known as hobs, tend to be larger than female ferrets. Their weight ranges from 3 to 5 pounds while the females’ only weigh up to 3 pounds. Like skunks, ferrets have large glands that produce an unpleasant odor. This is especially strong in male ferrets (although one might argue that this is true of any male species). For this reason, unless male ferrets are de-scented it is highly unlikely that anyone would keep them inside the house. Female ferrets also have this gland but the scent is not as strong in them. A female ferret will stay in heat until she is spayed which will cause bone problems. Ferrets do need a bath but not very often. They only need a bath about every 2 weeks. Preferably you should use a ferret shampoo. However, they tend to be very pricey compared to other pet shampoos. You could use a n...