Archive for December, 2009

Types Of Toys For Ferrets

Anyone who has owned or owns a ferret will know that they are some of the most fantastically entertaining pets that you can have around the house. Providing them with a wide range of toys to help stimulate them is a great way to get the best of them and keep them happy and entertained.

Ferrets tend to play with almost anything, so its important to find toys that are sturdy and will last a while. If you don’t provide them with toys, they will simply use your possessions as entertainment, and may end up damaging important belongings.

A serious danger to the ferrets is swallowing parts of a toy or other items left about the house. It is important therefore to try to get toys that do not have loose parts and remain intact for a long time. Inspect their toys regularly to make sure that they are not falling apart.

There are numerous options for fun and safe toys for your ferret. You can purchase certain cat toys that will be equally appealing to a ferret. Sturdy plastic balls provide great fun. Those with bells in them that make noise or softer balls made from fleece can also be great fun for ferrets to carry about.

Larger balls with holes in them for the ferret to crawl through are also a good idea. In this vein, pipes and tubes can be purchased for the ferret to scurry through, whilst you could easily get hold of paper bags or cardboard boxes for them to rip up and climb in.

Toys that hang from ropes can also be fun, as ferrets enjoy to jump and climb, although its important to watch that they don’t get tangled in any thinner ropes, as this could cause strangulation.

Certain toys made for babies are also suitable. Things like rattles are good. Also look out for soft plastic toys that squeak. For sleeping in, also look for cloth bags and perhaps place small soft towels or mats inside to make it extra comfortable for the ferrets.

However, you must also remember certain toys that are not quite so suitable. Do not get toys that are made of soft rubber as these will be too easy for the ferret to chew up and this could cause them to choke. Avoid also toys that have different parts attached as these could be chewed or broken off.you should also keep an eye out for loose threads on softer toys that could again be eaten by the ferret and cause choking. If you see any of these signs appearing on your toys discard them immediately.

It is important to provide a good range of toys and to rotate them at regular intervals so that you ferrets don’t get too bored with them. This will also keep them away from your own personal treasures, which the ferrets will happily steal and hide from you. Your own possessions are only appealing to them if they have nothing better to occupy their time with. Providing them will a good selection of safe toys will be rewarding for them, and save you some hassle.

5 Types of Ferret Toys to Remember
Ferrets do need some pampering at times and with ferret toys as essentials, we are assured that we are rearing happy and active pets.

Toys for a Ferret Inside a Cage
Each ferret features its own unique personality, but one thing that is often the same with a ferret – that is they love to play. In truth, a ferret is likely to remain playful for its entire life – even through to ‘old age’. Some ferret owners will spend fortunes …

Essential Information Before You Buy Ferret Toys …
Dave’s (one of my ferret) favorite toy is a 20 oz Diet Pepsi bottle. When I come in that is the first thing he wants he (we) play with it for an hour or so …

What’s a Healthy Diet for Your Ferret?

A healthy diet is very important for your ferret’s long and healthy life. With improper diet ferrets are at risk of serious health problems. Ferrets cannot survive without a low fiber high protein diet as they are meat eaters.

Till mid 1980’s, for feeing pet ferrets, high quality cat food was the only choice. High quality cat foods are still viable option to feed ferrets, but now there are several choices of ferret foods available in the market that provides higher quality fat needed and at the same time lower content of carbohydrates. To achieve maximum life span ferrets need this combination of lower carbohydrates and fat.

It is especially crucial that a baby ferret gets this type of diet. When buying look for products that have minimum 35- 40% protein and 18-30% fat, need to contain 21 amino acids, 2% fiber, less than 7.0 % ash level, and good carbohydrate ingratiates like brewer’s yeast or rice flower.

Also be aware that some foods are prepared with poorly processed frozen fish and your ferret will not eat it. Some ferrets are so finicky/stubborn that they will refuse to point of starvation when such food is offered to them.

High quality ferret food may be more expensive than high quality cat food. But be aware that your ferret will eat minimal amounts of food, which should bring down the overall cost. Ferrets don’t need to take any supplements if they are fed with healthy diets.

In order to sustain a healthy life your ferret needs to eat at least twice a day to gain the calories needed. Remember their portions should be small as they are small animals. The food is only good for forty-five minutes if the ferret is fed a moist diet. Soon after the food should be removed. You can also consider a dry pellet diet.

A dry pellet diet can be left in the cage all day, as it is longer lasting. Dry pellets also help to clean the ferret’s teeth. Ferrets that have dry diet should have fresh water all the time. Ferrets prefer to drink from a water bowl than a water bottle. Make sure the water in the bowl is changed few times a day to ensure purity.

Giving your ferret treats can be useful with housebreaking your ferret. It is however not a necessity. The best choices of snack are cooked egg and meat. Fruits are high in sugar should be avoided. Candy, dairy products such as milk and ice cream, nuts & nuts products will cause nutritional problems and should also be avoided.

Some health problems include malnutrition, tooth decay, obesity, diarrhea, insulinoma, intestinal blockage and hypoglycemia. Use treats sparingly as it may cause your ferret to reject its normal daily diet. Ferrets don’t digest grains and vegetables well so they should be avoided at all cost. Onions are actually poisonous to ferrets.

Providing proper nutrition to your pet ferret is essential for its long and healthy life. It will make sure your ferret is happy and comfortable. It also minimizes any risk of serious life threatening illness.

Ferret owners have a reputation to show an ample amount of affection and love towards these frisky and funny pets but the best way to show love to your ferret is to reward them with proper diet.

Snacks to Maintain a Healthy Ferret Diet
For more information on ferret diet visit our site which contains valuable information on how to care for and train your pet ferret.

Understanding Your Ferret’s Diet
A ferret’s diet needs to be high quality in order to properly maintain their system. Your ferret’s diet will need to contain at least 36

Do You Need a Fleece Ferret Hammock?

Ferrets love sleeping. An adult ferret sleeps on average 18 to 20 hours per day. Ferrets also love hiding in dark soft areas. But a ferret needs a comfortable area to hide and sleep in.

As humans we regulate our body temper while sleeping so we are comfortable. We do this by using a light blanket when it is hot and by using a heavier blanket when it is cold. The same principle holds true for ferrets.

Your ferret should also have two types of beds in their cage. If there are 2 types of beds available then they can choose which one to use based on their comfort level any night to sleep in. Comfortable ferret beds are most essential to maintain healthy sleeping patterns. Your ferret’s sleep can be disturbed if it is not comfortable while sleeping. If your ferret is uncomfortable while sleeping it may not live a healthy life.

Sleep sacks, also known as nap sack is one bed choice. It provides extra warmth when necessary. Sleep sack lies on the ground of your ferret’s cage. Sleep sack has one opening that the ferret can crawl into. Some sleep sacks have 2 openings, one at both ends. Your ferret will be surrounded by warmth once it is in the sleep sack. Some sleep sack have a crinkling effect to them, keep in mind this type of sack is suitable for play.

Hammock is the second bed choice for ferrets. A hammock provides pocketed space s it is suspended in mid air. This allows partially open space with walled security. Being a ferret is sensitive to heat the hammock provides an open space that can be utilized for cooling comfort.

Fleece hammocks bought in store come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Some are lined, other aren’t. Ferrets love snuggling together while sleeping hence some hammocks are large so they can sleep multiple ferrets at the same time.

Some hammocks have a zip front to provide adjustability of the size of opening. Some hammocks are boot shaped and some are flat looking. Hammocks provide more area for a ferret to utilize. Hammocks can also act as a safety feature. Hammocks can be stepped for the ferret to prevent long falls and gain access to a higher level of the cage.

Make sure that any hammock or sleep sack you purchase is machine washable to prevent the spread of any disease. A tightly woven fabric is more durable and safe.

If a sleep sack or a hammock begins to fray or seems to be separate then you should remove it from your ferret cage. Once a hammock or sleep sack is damaged it really becomes a hazard for your ferret. When purchasing a hammock make sure the hardware provided is safe for your ferret. If the hammock came without proper hardware then make sure you get proper hardware and the hardware you use does not harm your ferret.

Since hammocks provide a safer environment it is a great idea to purchase one for your ferret. It puts less pressure on your ferret’s body. It places them in their natural sleeping position, and it gives them a separate area to utilize for play.

Fleece Ferret Hammocks
A hammock would dedicate them that feel whether they are sleeping or just playing and relaxing. A fleece ferret hammock will be a comfortable way for them

Ferret Bedding
Jun 9, 2009 Some people like to get their ferrets hammocks or sleep sacks. Many ferrets love this private little chamber. Your pet’s reaction will of

Caring for Your Baby Ferret

Like most mammals baby ferrets need a lot of care. Baby ferrets can leave their mothers at 6 weeks of age. But in order to ensure long happy healthy life, they do need to get proper care and attention from us.

Before baby ferrets are born you should acquire the knowledge on how to care for them. The female ferret, also known as jill, shouldn’t be handled while she is giving birth. Handling a female ferret that is about to give birth is dangerous to her young. She can become hostile placing you at risk.

Ferrets typically have kits – a litter made up of about seven or eight babies. The kits are born practically hairless with a pink complexion and are blind. The first part of there lives I spent sleeping, eating and growing. It takes about 20 days for the kits color to darken. Soon after their eyes begin to open.

Finally when they reach 6 weeks of age they can leave their mother. At seven weeks old your baby ferret should get their first series of vaccinations. You should also consider having them de-scented and fixed.

A sudden diet change can prove harmful to the kits. They must be weaned off their old diet slowly. So you should always ask the breeder which brand of food have they been eating when you obtain a new baby ferret before you consider switching?

If you are going to use the same brand food then before offering it to the baby ferret soak it in warm water 5 to 10 minutes. If you are going to change the brand then you should purchase the old brand food and then mix the new brand with the old brand. They gradually you can lower the old brand and add more of your new brand and slowly switch completely to the new brand.

At some point cat food was the only option but now there are other high quality ferret food available in the market. Baby ferrets, in their infancy, need higher quality of protein in their diet which cat food cannot offer. Whichever brand food you choose for your baby ferret, make sure it has at least 20% fat and 35% protein.

Balanced fats like poultry fat has good blend of necessary fatty acids and is better for baby ferrets. Baby ferrets should also have water all times. The water should be changes once a day to ensure purity.

You can keep your baby ferret in a large and clean cage. This cage will serve as a home for your pet. Make sure the cage is large enough to make your pet feel comfortable and safe. It should also have enough room to move around in the cage.

Since ferrets are very active, the cage should provide ample room for safe play. Metal bottom cages corrode easily and should be avoided. Also, if you purchase a plastic coated wire then make sure your baby ferret is not chewing on it.

Baby ferrets need hiding places. They like soft padding to burrow and sleep in. Keep an eye on the bedding to ensure they are not eating it. If they are eating the bedding, it can cause blockage in their intestinal track and may have to removed surgically.

Baby ferrets are very active. They need lots of care and attention. They need our love, proper diet and care when they are babies in order to live a safe, happy and long life.

Adopting A Baby Ferret
I didn’t know when my wife asked me to take her to the mall, we’d come home with a baby ferret (called a kit). For me, I thought we’d zip in and out

Baby Ferrets Need Attention
A birthing female ferret should not be handled during birth or she will become hostile. Once she gives birth, a baby ferret can leave its mother after

Bringing Your Ferret Home

Before bringing your ferret you should know about a few things. You need to first choose a home for your ferret. Your ferret will spend most of its time in this place and it should be a safe place.

There are different types of ferret cages available. Make sure you choose a cage that has plenty of room for your ferret to run around in. Watch out for any gaps in the levels. Your ferret can get caught up in these gaps and get hurt.

You should always have soft bedding in your cage to ensure your ferret is comfortable and does not hurt itself. Cages with plastic bottom are easy to clean. Cages with metal bottom can rust and look dingy after multiple washings. If you buy plastic coated metal it is important to make sure your ferret is not chewing the coating off. Chewing off the coating can cause intestinal blockages.

Choose a cage that has multi layers, and large doors. Large door would mean your ferret would not be in danger of getting stuck when it is trying to get out. Also get sleeping sacks and hammocks. The more space your ferret has to sleep the more comfortable and happy it will feel.

On average ferrets sleep 15 to 20 hours per day. Your ferret needs to spend two hours outside their cage. So to make sure your ferret doesn’t get hurt think about ferret proofing the room it will play around in.

You can also buy toys for your ferret. Just be careful with the toys you get for your ferret. Some toys can put your ferret’s life in danger. Make sure you get durable toys against your ferret’s sharp teeth. Cat toys are good choice for ferrets.

Foam or plastic toys can be easily destroyed. Make sure not to leave any toys in your ferret’s cage. If your ferret damages any toy and eats any pieces it can in an obstruction and may have to be removed surgically.

Ferrets have an odor to them since they are part of Mustelid family. It is better to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to get your ferret de-scented and neutered. Often both procedures can be done at the same time. After your ferret is back home from veterinarian follow the aftercare instructions to ensure its health.

Your ferret also needs regular exams and vaccinations. Most kits have only had their first series of shots. You should be aware of when they received their shots and continue the series. Ferrets will only need their shot annually once the first series of distemper shots are finished. Ferrets also need their booster vaccination.

Make sure you feed yout ferret either high quality cat food or a ferret food not made from frozen meat. Try to find out the brand of food your ferret was eating before bringing it home. If you switch the brand then make sure you wean the ferret off the old brand.

Mix a small amount of new brand food with old food and then gradually increase the portion if the new brand daily. Do this till your ferret becomes used to the new taste. Snacks are not necessary for your ferret and may cause health problems in future. If you decide to feed a snack to your ferret then healthy options are cook eggs and meat. Feeding sugary treats to you ferret will only cause harm to them.

There is lot of preparation involved in bringing your pet ferret home. But being prepared will ensure the safety and health of your furry little friend.

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