How to Own a Ferret

Ferrets can be trained, and they make very loving pets. To own a ferret takes some patience, though. Ferrets are very curious and will find even the smallest hole to escape into or explore. Ferret-proofing your home is very important before bring home a ferret. Do not plan to keep a pet ferret in a cage all the time. It is not recommended that a person own a ferret if the ferret will be caged. Ferrets need attention and room to run and play. Small ferrets are nocturnal, so they naturally like to sleep during the day and play at night. However, they can be trained to reverse their sleeping habits somewhat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Training book
• Cage
• Ferret food
• Toys

1. Secure your home before allowing a ferret to run around. Block open vents, drains and any small holes in the walls. Move space heaters to a safe place where they can't be knocked over. Place children's safety locks on all drawers and cabinets. Ferrets can get into anything.

2. Cage your ferret for some parts of the day. It needs to have a place to hide and sleep without being bothered. If ferrets are not caged for sleeping, they will find their own hiding places, such as inside the couch, in a dresser drawer or anywhere else that they can get into.

3. Train your ferret to use a litter box. Ferrets will use a litter box just as cats do. The box can be placed in the cage or somewhere else in the house where the ferret will find it. Ferrets will poop in corners if litter training is not enforced. If the ferret poops in a corner, take the poop and the ferret and place them in a litter box together. This reinforces the use of the litter box.

4. Teach your ferret not to nibble on fingers and toes. If it takes a nibble, say "no" and place it back in the cage. Be aware that this training can take some time. Some ferrets may not be able to learn this lesson.

5. Teach your ferret to sleep at night by keeping it awake during the day. Keep it awake by playing with it. Your ferret will need a nap, but this should only be for an hour every three hours or so. Eventually it will sleep better at night and stay up during the most of the day. This step will take some time.

6. Feed your ferret food that is especially made for ferrets. Ferrets do like veggies and some fruits, too.

Tips & Warnings

• Ferrets love to play. They will play rough until they get to know you.
• Have plenty of toys for the ferret to play with, so it does not become bored.
• Keep things out of reach of a ferret until it is fully trained.
• Never feed a ferret any meat products.
• Don't leave any pillows within reach of an untrained ferret. It only takes a few minutes to destroy a king-size pillow.