| Basic Healthcare by Lily
Are you new to ferrets? A good place to begin, for general information on ferrets is our New To Ferrets pages. Then move on to all our medical pages here for some more detailed important information on ferret health. Refer to the Page Index for your convenience. The first thing we recommend all new ferret owners do is locate a ferret knowledgeable Veterinarian in your area. Even if you have to drive hours to get to them, there is nothing more important than finding a Vet that knows about ferrets, one that you can trust, and one that will continue to be open to learning more about ferrets. If you have trouble, ask your local ferret shelter operators for referrals. Check the Ferret Vet Listing on the main MNFF site also for recommendations from members. Also Dr. Williams' site has a Star data base of Vets in the US and Canada. There are some very basic things to consider that will help aid in keeping your fuzzy healthy and happy. -
Nutrition -
Grooming -
Play Time -
Keeping Cool -
Annual Vet Check Ups & Vaccinations -
Knowing your Ferret -
Knowing signs of illness -
Ferret Proofing Your Home -
Love -
Having a Ferret Knowledgeable Veterinarian Please keep in mind that MNFF is a very large site. We have a lot of information to help you learn, on many different pages. Please explore! -
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Grooming is covered on the FAQ page and you will find information on how to watch for mites here in the Minor Medical pages. A quick reference is below on this page also. -
Keeping you fuzzies cool is important. Never leave your ferrets exposed to the heat. Anything over 80 degrees can be harmful to your ferrets. Our Minor Medical pages have information on overheating. -
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Signs of illness are covered here in the medical section on the Symptoms Page. -
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Everything else is up to you. :) With tons of love, play time (meaning many hours out of a cage playing - you cannot keep ferrets cooped up in a cage all the time if you want them to be healthy and happy), attention, care, good food high in protein, minimal or no sweets, and getting to know what is normal behavior for your ferret, you will aid in helping your ferrets to live healthy happy lives. -
Remember......some diseases are unavoidable and nothing we can do will prevent them -----> but, being aware of the symptoms can help you to treat them early on and to recognize something before it gets out of control. If you need answers, and cannot find them on our pages, the board is always a great source of information. Although, please remember that nothing we say or write here will ever replace the knowledge, treatment and care of your professional, ferret qualified Veterinarian. One of the best things you can do for your ferret, and one of the first you should do, is locate a Ferret Experienced Vet in your area that you will go to. If you have trouble finding a Vet, contact your local Ferret Organizations and/or Shelters for referrals. Check our Vet List page on the main MNFF site also....someone in your state may have posted their Vet there, also Dr. Williams' site has a Star data base of Vets in the US and Canada. We, at MNFF wish all of you healthy and happy years with your fuzzies.
Quick References Ferrets are designated carnivores. They require a high protein (not less than 32%) and high fat diet (20%-22%). The first ingredient in their food should be meat. Grocery store purchased cat or kitten food usually is grain based. Unfortunately, the ferret lacks the part of the intestine to digest these cheaper foods. They will survive on this food, but their health will be compromised in the end. Also, most grocery store foods are high in food dyes that can be harmful to ferrets. Ferret Shelters recommend Natural Gold (50% protein/low carbs!), Totally Ferret or IAMS Kitten food for your ferret. There are many other ferret foods on the market, but check the labels for protein and fat contents. It is very important! Equally important is NOT using a food based in fruit and nuts (Kaytee). Try to also avoid corn based kibbles. Other Notes on food: Remember, dog food is for dogs. It is not formulated for ferrets. Ferret kibble is formulated for ferrets. Check ferret food labels for nutritional facts before choosing. Many ferret folks make a mix of a few different ferret kibbles for their fuzzies and some include a high level, high protein KITTEN food. Never feed dog or cat food. We have a link to a ferret kibble food comparison chart under RESOURCES here. Fruits are often offered as treats, as are small bits of cereal and crackers. These are okay for treats but not as a regular part of a ferret’s diet. You can also give Nutra Stat or Ferretvite and Linatone or Ferretone for treats on a small amount basis. They are also helpful for grooming aids when cutting toenails. Sugar and sweets are NOT healthy for ferrets and cause problems such as Insulinoma later on. Chocolate should never be given. Meat is the natural diet of a ferret. If your ferrets will eat meat, we recommend it as their nutritional source. Unfortunately many ferrets get imprinted on their kibble and will not eat meat. Beef and chicken may be fed raw or cooked - most folks I know that feed meat, prefer feeding it raw. Eggs are also good for ferrets, but eggs must be cooked. Boiled eggs make good treats. NOTE: For more information on other types of healthy food and treats see our Ferret Food and Ferret Treat pages at the main MNFF site. We also have links to food charts and a nutrition article here in our RESOURCES section. -
Grooming - as taken from our FAQ page on the main MNFF site. Should ferrets be groomed? Yes. Ferrets enjoy having their coats brushed with a soft brush and it keeps their fur thick and healthy. It also helps to reduce hairballs during shedding season which occurs twice a year. Hairballs can cause intestinal blockages. (A product called FerretLax or Laxatone can also aid in preventing hairballs during shedding season). Ferrets need their ears cleaned and they need their nails clipped on a regular basis. There are ferret ear cleaning solutions you may purchase. When clipping nails, use a regular nailclipper and clip above the red vein line on the nail. Use Tone or a scruff to help aid in nail clipping. If you clip the nail too low by accident and it bleeds have a styptic pencil on hand. It's important to clip nails so they don't get hung up or caught on things in the home. Ferrets teeth should also be cleaned - it isn't easy to do yourself, so you can discuss teeth cleaning with your ferret knowledgeable Vet. Constant bathing of a ferret will strip its skin and fur of vital oils. It is just not necessary, nor recommended to bathe your ferrets unless they are very dirty from getting into something, or possibly when making a new introduction. When you do bathe your ferret, be sure to use a shampoo made for ferrets. What to do if nails are accidentally clipped too short and bleed, as well as how to watch our for ear mites is covered in our Minor Medical pages here in the medical section. - In General? As we mentioned, ferrets need rabies and distemper vaccinations. Also ferrets should have regular annual checkups by a Veterinarian. Do not allow your ferrets to play with rubber or latex items, or any toys that may come apart and be swallowed. Swallowed items can cause intestinal blockages. Ferrets are also very heat sensitive. Do not leave your ferret in the car, or in direct sunlight or heat. Do not use wood chips for bedding as the dust can cause respiratory problems. Use soft blankets, sleep sacks and hammocks. Ferrets have sensitive feet - do not have exposed wire floors in cages. Litter should be a ferret litter (such as Yesterday's News), wood PELLETS, or rabbit pellets. American ferrets are very susceptible to various cancers, and other illnesses, especially adrenal cancer. As your ferret ages, you should become even more aware of symptoms to watch for. Your ferret needs time out of a cage to play - ample time - attention and love. Symptoms of ill health and detailed information on health care can be found in our MEDICAL PAGES .
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