How to keep Ferrets as pets?

 Ferrets

They are carnivores but many people keep ferrets as pets. Mostly ferrets are used as the laboratory animals for research and experiments. They are not exciting pets but people are liking them nowadays. Ferrets as pets spend most of their time sleeping like cats.

Restraining

The ferret as pet can be restrained like cats, such as the head is dorsally flexed.

Handling

The ferrets as pets are gentle animals and can be handled with bare hands but care should be taken while handling a sick one or mother with ferret babies.

They can be picked by placing a hand across the shoulders, the forefinger of that hand around the neck, and the other fingers around the chest behind the forelimbs.

They can also be picked like the guinea pig, holding the loose skin by one hand and supporting the hindquarter with the other hand.

 

Housing

·                     Ferrets as pets are housed usually in den box style cages made of plastic or metal with a small entry hole and proper ventilation.

·                     Usually, they use one corner of the cage for droppings but a  ferret as pet, can be trained to use a litter box.

Feeding/nutrition

·                     Water should be available either through an automatic water system or manual water bottles.

·                     Food is provided ad libitum.

·                      Their food is dried commercially prepared dog food or cat food

·                     They can eat milk and bread if available but will release smelly feces if they eat these.

·                     Food should be offered in some pots because placing it directly on a cage is unsanitary.

Breeding

·                     The male ferrets are called “hobs” and the females are called “jills”.

·                     As in rabbits, ovulation is induced.

·                     Unless the female is mated, she will remain in a state of constant estrous throughout the breeding season.

·                     Breeding ferrets should be kept on solid floors rather than grid floor cages.

·                     As they reach sexual maturity, the breeding should be commenced because at that time breeding efficiency is maximum.

·                     The duration of pregnancy is 40-42 days.

Environmental management

·                     A temperature range of 21-23 centigrade should be maintained in the ferret room.

·                     Over 28 degrees centigrade can cause heatstroke.

·                     Humidity should be in a range of 40-60%.

·                     The light should be provided at least a full day, usually, 12 hours light and 12 hours darkness are provided in their house.

·                     Cleaning the house 2-3 times a week is recommended.

Diseases of ferrets

Some common infections of ferrets kept as pets include:

·                     Salmonellosis

·                     Botulism

·                     Tuberculosis

·                     Proliferative colitis

·                     Canine distemper

·                     Influenza

·                     Mange

·                     Coccidiosis

 

Treatment is done according to the diagnosis of disease and causative agents.