Ferret

 

FERRET scientific name - (Mustela Putorious Furo)

Ferrets were domesticated several thousand years ago. No one knows for sure when or where they started, but judging from ancient writings, they originated in Europe, Egypt, and/or Australia. They were first brought to the United States about three hundred years ago. Before coming to the U.S., Ferrets wer used for hunting rabbits or rodent control.

Here, they have become the third most popular pet, next to the dog and the cat. It is estimated there are between 5 and 7 million pet Ferrets in the United States today.

Male Ferrets will weigh between 3 to 5 lbs., and the females about 1 1/2 to 3 lbs. at maturity. They usually live about 5 to 10 years and will get 14" to 16" long. Their coat is soft and silky and they come a variety of colors.

Ferrets make a delightful pet mainly due to their curiosity. The word "Furo" in their scientific name means thief, which aptly describe this little animal. They think everything in the home is theirs. They love exploring and will "steal" things like shoes, socks, gloves, keys, etc. and take them to their hiding places. Because of their domestication, Ferrets no longer have natural survival instincts. It is therefore very important to supervise them, especially if taken outdoors. They will sleep alot, as many as 16 to 18 hours per day. This may partially account for their hyper activity when they are awake. Most Ferrets can be litter box trained.

You can't get to big when it comes to a Ferrets cage. A minimum size would be 24" x 24" x 30". It should be equipped with ramps, resting benches, a water bottle, soft bedding (some breeders say no shavings), a litter box, safe toys, and a food dish. If the cage has a wire mesh floor, it should be covered with a towel, a blanket, or a piece of linoleum, so it will not have to walk on the open wire. Ferret hammocks are ideal for these critters to sleep in.

Remeber Ferrets are carnivores and that they have very short digestive tracts. Because they are carnivores, they must have meat, fish, poultry as the first ingredient, rather than grain products. Food passes through their digestive tract in about 2 to 4 hours. Accordingly, meat protein is more readily absorbed. It cannot absorb the nutrients in vegetables quickly enough because vegetables have a more complex structure. Furthermore, a Ferret lacks a CECUM, (a pouch in the digestive system that digests vegetable matter). If it eats to many vegetables, the Ferret will not get the nutrition it needs. Protein should be at least 34% to 36%.

Ferrets will eat only enough to maintain their energy requirements. Another important ingredient for their diet is fat. They get their energy from fat and need fat for a healthy coat and skin. Their diet should be 14% to 20% fat.

Be sure to use a feed dish that cannot be tipped over. Feed should be kapt available at all times as Ferrets often choose to eat several times a day.

Lastly, keep Ferrets off sweets, candy, any alchoholic beverages, nuts, and dairy products. They love peanut butter, but make sure it's not the chunky style.

SWITCHING YOUR FERRETS DIET ...

Unless your Ferret is very young, a gradual change in diet is recomended. We advise using a 10/10 method to change over his or her diet. Most Ferrets will favor the diet that they were weaned on at 8 weeks. It is a good idea to offer several varieties of dry food while weaning so they wont get used to just one, in case your present food type becomes no longer available. Doing so will will allow you to easily change his food type if you have to. If your Ferret has been fed the same diet since weaning, the 10/10 method works well. The first day, add 10% of the new diet to his regular feed. The ratio will now be 10% new type, 90% regular feed. The second day, add 20% new type feed to 80% regular feed. The ratio will now be 20% new type, 80% regular feed. (and so on for 10 days). After doing this for 10 days, the feed will be 100% of the new diet and your critter should be well adjusted to the new diet.