How to Welcome a Young Ferret into Your Home

Ferrets are among the most playful of pets, infinitely agile and acrobatic and thoroughly entertaining to watch.

If you have decided that a young ferret might make a good pet, what are some things you should consider before bringing it into your home and family?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cage
• Bedding
• Food
• Litter and Litter Box

1. 
    
   Who Can Resist a Cuddle?

   Prepare to fall in love.
   
   While you may think you are providing this pet for your child, you will be hard put to resist the antics and joyous frolicking of the ferret kit.
   
   A young healthy ferret is at once engaging and sociable, displaying affection as second nature.
   
   Realize that this feisty little creature will at once become a member of your family, as much loved as any dog or cat or other beloved pet, and as needful of your attention.

2. Be prepared to provide equipment necessary for the health and well being of your ferret.
   
   A large cage enclosure will be needed for corralling occasionally; likewise suitable bedding materials, litter and litter box (or more than one), water bottle, food and dish, treats, and toys.
   
   You may want to consider a very lightweight leash and collar made specifically for ferrets if conditions warrant in your home. A tiny bell is not a bad idea as a tiny ferret can disappear into some very small hidey holes.
   
   Your ferret will need regular yearly checkups with the vet, just like any other pet.
   
   Also, as with any pet, you also need to consider whether you can take the ferret with you on family trips or if there is someone to look out for him while you are away.
   
   Ferrets purchased from a reputable pet store will likely be neutered already, as well as with scent glands neutralized. Ferrets are naturally a bit odoriferous, and if this is offensive baths can help. You do not want to bathe your ferret too often, however, as this can remove too many natural oils and leave his coat and skin dry and unhealthy.

3. Ferrets can be litter box trained, but it requires patience and time – time to allow for him to learn and your own time to watch for accidents and repeatedly put him into his litter box to get him used to the practice.
   
   A typical digestion cycle for a young ferret might be three hours. So just consider putting your ferret into his litter box or cage at about that interval during the day.
   
   A good plan might be to put several small, flat litter boxes in various areas throughout your home, particularly if you give the ferret free run of the house.
   
   Restricting freedom to a single room or small areas at first will help to avoid accidents and frustrations.

4. Rowdy youngsters in your home are a definite plus for the playful ferret. However; you must make your children realize that the ferret is small, quick and definitely underfoot much of the time. A careless foot placement or tumble by a child can mean a squashed ferret!
   
   And your ferret WILL be scampering about following the children’s play. A ferret loves toes and moving feet and will dart and pounce to try to catch and nibble bare feet or shoes.
   
   Your home will be filled with the joyous squeals and laughter of a child cavorting with the family ferret.

5. 
    
   Momose, He Suddenly Just Fell Over as if Dead!

   Allow ample time for your ferret to rest.
   
   Ferrets, particularly younglings, require up to eighteen hours of sleep. What you may find is that your young ferret will explore and play for a couple of hours, then suddenly just stop in his tracks and lie as if dead.
   
   *By the way, when he wakes, he will likely be hungry and thirsty and need a trip to the litter box.

6. 
    
   Cat Nap - Ferret Style!

   Ferrets delight in the companionship of other pets.
   
   Your ferret should get along wonderfully with the family cat or dog – perhaps not with the pet mouse or gerbil. (Ferrets in the wild are famous mousers).
   
   Realize that your ferret will be fearless when relating to the family cat or dog. If you know that your cat or dog will be less than friendly, make sure to restrict interaction with the ferret. But, if this larger pet is friendly and sociable there should be no problem.

7. Above all, love your ferret.
   
   He will respond with boundless love and affection and provide a wonderful companion for (hopefully) years.

Tips & Warnings

• Use small fingernail clippers or clippers made for pets to keep your ferret’s nails trimmed. They can be quite painful when scrabbling about on tender human skin. Take care to check where the “quick” is so as not to draw blood or cause your ferret pain.
• Your very young ferret will likely offer playful nips and nibbles on fingers or toes. Admonish him gently so that he will learn not to bite. A ferret CAN learn the meaning of “no.”

[cookiesmagic]

on 11/12/2009 Good to know, I was just thinking about getting one

[sullysee]

on 9/21/2009 Great information on welcoming young ferrets. Step 5 especially useful to know. They sound like loads of fun! Love the photos, especially the one with Dalen and the kit, so cute. 5*, rec.