Intro to ferrets

Ferrets make awesome pets. My instructable is on how to care for, train, and properly handle ferrets.


i hope you enjoy ( :

Step 1 Holding ferrets

Handling ferrets is an important part about ferret care . The proper handling technique is to make a cradle with your arms. Most ferrets enjoy being pet while in you arms as shown bellow.

Comments

[jones.5pc]

. ferrets NEED toys or they will lose their little minds. $4 drain tubes are great for ferrets instead of buying the expensive plastic tubes from pet stores. another great toy are easter eggs with nothing in them. if you add bells or long grain rice into the eggs, they need to be super glued shut. Ferrets also love to dig. they will go nuts over a box of shredded paper. also ferrets are carnivores so they should not be fed any kibble that contains fruit or vegetables.I own 2 wonderful ferrets,

[jones.5pc]

A ferret has oils on its skin. If bathed to often the ferret will produce more oils, making them have a stronger "ferret scent". I only bathe mine once a year, or if they get into something gross and their coat hardly smells. When I first got my ferrets I bathed them frequently. It dried out their coat and made their scent stronger

[nikeman76]

I wanted a ferret at first, but then my parents agreed to just get a hamster. She's the best hamster ever though!

[lemonie]

Do they bite? Do you ever keep them in your trousers? (super-cute) L

[Portalman]

yes they bite sometimes but ferrets have very strong skin, so if they where to do the same bite on another ferret it would not hurt them.

[lemonie]

I meant your fingers...

[Portalman]

i know you meant fingers

[pagangod]

some ferrets will bite but you can train them not to i have ferret my whole life

[hominid]

Do you house train ferrets? stv

[Decepticon]

Ferrets instinctively poop in corners. They like to pick a spot in any particular room (or one spot in every room) and that's usually where you would place the litter box. It makes it easier if you cut one wall off the litter box (usually one of the longer sides) and leave a 1/2 inch lip so the ferret can just back up into it.

[Portalman]

My ferret ecaped one weeked when i was out of town there was poop EVERYWHERE!!

[pagangod]

you can my are litter box trained it is easy, and yes you can train ferrets, it just takes time and paysince,

[hominid]

thx

[pagangod]

no problem

[Mamohau]

Love the coat!!

[Mamohau]

I have one little girl who runs up trousers, nips the leg and then races for cover - peaking out and if ignored will then come back for more flesh! All she asks is that I play with her! She wouldn't bite my fingers, but doesn't hesitate to nip other parts, but she gets time out in the carrier for a few minutes. Unfortunately this is a rather more intelligent ferret than my others and she outsmarts me regularly! They use their teeth intensively when playing with each other so unfortunately it's a bit of a boss thing sometimes! When they think I can be dragged across the living room too I know it's time for a little rest!

[Mamohau]

In what seems like a lifetime with ferrets I have only bathed (currently 4) them when they've got mixed up in something smelly - and even then, if it's not soaked through their coat I just wipe with a moist cloth. They sleep outside but waking is spent indoors. They sleep in down bags (it's below zero here at the moment), they are fed a mix of a highly rated proprietary kibble, daily meat like chicken or turkey, and 4-5 times a week get a high protein fat/meat soup. They are all neutered and they never smell enough to make my husband revolt, no more than a wet dog, and he is very smell sensitive! Bathing interferes with their natural oil production and their coats can become less 'waterproof' I also find that regularly giving them a quick once over with a moist facecloth which has an oil like tea tree or lavender in the water seems to keep them flea free. Allthough I do have Frontline if needed.

[albylovesscience]

i never knew ferrets can catch a cold from there owner

[artist without a medium]

 As far as I know they can't catch colds but can catch the flu from humans. I have four, and my son gave Sara the flu one year.
 Miss you Sara-Deenie

[lunarman52]

how can i convince my parents to let me have one

[witchypoo1]

For any young couple wanting children - ferrets are a great introduction as to what expect. They also return a lot of love & love to play.
you will never use the restroom or bathe by yourself, they need lots of Love & Affection and they act like toddlers and move/steal everything.
After having 3 in the 90's while living in Virginia that we gave back to our breeder since we were moving to California & they would confiscate & put them down out the boarder since they are still outlawed. In May we rescued 2 off of a "public" website that were mistreated & one they called "albino" but was in liver failure, $100 turned into $450 but he has now recovered & living large.
Best play toy - large cardboard mailing tube belted to puppy stairs for a fantastic "Tube Slide".

[Warlrosity]

Aaaw, I want a ferret now~

[hominid]

I'm very sorry that your ferret passed away. :-( Stv

[pagangod]

good job

[Decepticon]

Nice 'ible! I absolutely LOVE ferrets. I had three of them when I was younger. A couple suggestions though: You really should touch on Ferret Proofing your house or the area the ferret will be playing in. Any hole they can get their head through, they can get their body through. Bathing: the best shampoo to use on your ferret would be Baby shampoo that is tearless. This would provide much less anxiety if their little head get's splashed and the possibility of soap getting in their eyes wouldn't hurt them. Ear cleaning is important! I know it is difficult and it's best to have two people for this job, but it is necessary to clean their ears at least once a month (usually after a bath) or they will develop a reddish brown muck in their ears that stinks! It will also lead to mites if not taken care of on a regular basis. There are so many other aspects of taking care of a ferret that I can't get into, but these are the basics. I'm sorry to hear that one of your little guys (or girls) died. I had to have one of mine put down due to a very bad infection. I was devastated. I really want another one eventually, but I think my wife want's a kid first and not a kit. ;) Also, what's your little guy's( or girl's) name. He's cute sporting that sweater!