how to take care of a ferret.......from exp. please!?

The ferret, when it comes to care is something of a cross between cats and dogs. You'll want to keep feeding them what they were fed when they were kits (babies). Mine preferred Iams kitten chow, but yours may like a puppy food. They're high energy all throughout their lives, so puppy/kitten food supplies them this kind of high caloric intake. One thing I know to avoid for them is chocolate, it's deadly to them, just like it is to dogs. Also avoid soap. Mine got into some glycerin soap and gave me a scare.

Mine really liked raisins for treats. Some states (California/Hawaii) have outlawed them, but still sell supplies for them. Marshalls makes food specially for ferrets, but you may find your little guy may not like it. Just stick to what they like. If you do decide to change foods, do it gradually. Mix 3/4 old with 1/4 new first week, second week 1/2 old 1/2 new, third week 3/4 new 1/4 old until he's completely on the new.

Ferret proofing. Ferrets are EXTREMELY curious creatures, they will get in the damnedest places. They also are quite good climbers. They are especially good at squeezing through small holes. So you'll want to look for any holes or places they can squeeze through and block it off. They can also push open doors that aren't latched. Mine would pry open my bedroom door if it was left ajar. Electrical cords can be a danger, especially if they like to chew, so it's a good idea to always supervise them when they're playing. Be aware that they are couch tunnelers and many a ferret has been lost by someone haplessly sitting on them when they're in the couch.

They can be housebroken, much like a cat. Mine was trained to use a litter box in his cage. He would return to it if he was within eye shot, but if in another room he would usually find a corner. So if you're going to have him too far away from his litter box, you may want to put other little boxes in different parts of the house. Maybe some of his poop so he knows that's where he's supposed to go. The clumping litter may be tempting, but I found it sticks to their tiny paws and can be tracked around the house. They have a multi cat formula that seems to work pretty good. If he does make a mess, be sure to clean it up with something like nature's miracle so he doesn't get used to going there.

They love bells. A little jingle bell on a string tied to a stick can give them hours of joy. Mine would make this little sound that was something between a squeak and a bark when he played with it.

A good veterinarian will treat them, call ahead and ask if they treat "exotics" If yes, ask if they treat ferrets. If they ever call a ferret a rodent, I'd be a little suspicious. Ferrets are NOT rodents. They get the same vaccinations a dog or cat would, though I suspect in small dosages.

Hope this helps, if you have more specific questions feel free to ask. I've owned two ferrets and the first one taught me a lot.

There is a bit more to know than can be put up here. You might try joining some of the Shetland pony groups at Yahoo Groups. But a quick answer: 1. I've known ponies that lived into their 40s but lower 30s is more common for a healthy pony that has always been well cared for. 2. Hay. They do best on a fairly course grass hay. Alfalfa is too rich as is some grass hay from heavily fertilized fields. They don't need grain as long as they can handle their hay. As they age and loose teeth you may have to change them to a complete diet but just hay until then. Oh, having said that they do need some salt and I give mine a mineral/vitamin suppliment that is meant to be fed free choice with a hay diet. Ask your feed store about something simular. 3. They need somewhere dry and out of the wind. A 3 sided shelter is plenty though mine love their stalls at night, mostly because it is habit and all horses love habit. You also must remember that Shetlands are every bit as much an equine as a TB or any other breed and should be treated as a horse and not a dog. I think you'll find them to be delightful companions

Female ferrets are called Gills and male ferrets are called hobs. If yours is a female and she hasn't already been done, she will need to be spayed/neutered if you don't plan to breed from her. When a female ferret comes into season (ready to mate) she cannot come out of season on her own (like a cat or a dog can), she must be mated with, or taken to the vets for a gill jab. If she is left in season for too long her hormones will become toxic which will make your ferrret very ill and may even kill her.

Ferrets are highly intelligent and full of curiosity and they will get into everything and anything. They can be likened to a 2 year old baby crossed with a kitten- mischievious and likely to get hurt if they are not watched. Make sure their playing environment is safe- my 3 ferrets try to get inside the oven and under the refridgerator if given the chance. Ferrets aren't very good climbers, but it doesn't stop them from trying. Curtains can be so much fun for ferrets if the material is just right and they aren't tied back properly, and the fire guard is great fun if they think nobody is watching.

Ferrets need a high protein diet that is low in ash, and no fish. Many good pet shops supply specialised ferret food. I feed mine on "James Welbeloved Complete Ferret". This is a dry food which also helps keep their teeth strong. In the event that you can't get hold of a specialised ferret food, you can settle for a good quality cat food. Never feed your ferret on dog food. The nutrional quality of dog food is not suitable for ferrets (or cats for that matter) and can make your ferret ill. The nutrional requirements of cats are closer to those of ferrets, than dogs are. You can also offer your ferret a raw egg no more than once a week as a protein suppliment. Not only will this suppliment your ferret's diet, but they are also a welcome tasty treat. Some people also offer their ferrets day-old chicks as a weekly diet suppliment. These can be purchased from some petshops, but they are not essential so don't worry if you can't/don't want to!

Ferrets have a sense of humour. My ferrets think it is highly amusing to plague vistors who are terrified of them. They will dive in with playful nips and run away laughing (that funny dooking noise they make when ferrets are happy). If my visitros aren't afraid of them they get ignored!

They will try an go somewhere they aren't allowed to go just so someone will come and chase them. My ferrets love playing with plastic bags. The seem to love the rustling sound bags make when they charge into them. Plastic bags should only be provided to ferrets under strict supervision. They also like playing with cardboard boxes.

When you pick a ferret up, hold it under the arms with one hand and support its rear end with your other hand. No matter how friendly your ferret is, don't let it near your face. A friendly nip on the nose is far from pleasant. Ferrets should have at least 2 hours a day out of its cage. The more time you can give it, the better. Like young children, ferrets are always on the go (when they are awake) and constantly looking for something entertaining to do.

Basic Info:

Most states require by law yearly vaccinations for ferrets(rabies, distemper). They also need monthly heartworm pills. Check your state laws to be sure.

FOOD:

They should have at least three high quality food mixed together. Marshals food is not a high quality food(do not feed the ferret this). High quality means first three ingredients meat, and no fish(makes the feces smell worse).34-36% protein and approximately 20% fat (and low fiber) The high quality food can cost anywhere from 15 dollars to over 20 for a 5 -10 lb bag. Feeding them low quality food may be cheaper for awhile, but will lead to health problems and costly vet bills later.

VET:

Young ferrets monthly bills may be fairly reasonable, but as ferrets age they are extremely likely to get adrenal disease. You are more likely to have a ferret get health problems when they get older than not, and older is only about 4, so expect high vet bills for about half its life. This is why yearly vet visits and bi-yearly visits for older ferrets is important. These diseases are treatable/maintainable if cause early.

CLEANING

Ferrets are smelly, there is no going around that fact(even descented). Since ferrets are strictly carnivours they have a short digestive tract, and need food available all the time, therefore they defecate every few hours. They also have a musky smell(even decented) it get into everything (clothes, etc). Cages need to be cleaned daily to minimize the smell, if you let it wait the smell will be tremendous.

They can be litter box trained, but it is hard, and hit or miss(no pun intended). When they are out of their cage they will not seek out a litter box and will usually just go anywhere. My ferrets never were litter box trained and prefered to go next to the box/dig in it, rather than use it.

PLAY

Expect to have your ferret out of its cage for a minimum of 6 hours a day, otherwise they will not be happy. Ferrets have a lot of energy and need to burn it off.

When they are out they must be supervised as they get into everything, climb everywhere, etc. Mine used to love to go on my dvd shelves and knock them all off(finally had to replace the shelves with a cabinet style)

TRAINING

Some of them can be mean, there is no guarantee. You must be prepared to deal with an aggressive ferret. Do you know what to do with a problem biter? I had a formally abused ferret that was a bad biter(I took some nasty bites to the hands-nerve damage on one hand). Even friendly babies can have personality changes if not properly socialized and trained. Most are great pets but always be prepared.

Ferrets must be nip trained when they are young. There are correct and incorrect ways to do this. Hitting, yelling flicking the nose do not work and may lead to an aggressive and hand shy ferret. All ferrets nip, there is no way to completely stop, but it should be controlled. They should know not to bite you too hard, often, ect. That is where having two ferrets comes in handy(they can play with each other the way ferrets naturally play)

CAGE

The cage must be fairly large, the ferret starter cages sold in pet stores are not large enough. A ferret needs a multi floor cage. You'll need hammocks, ferrets like sleeping away from their feces and urine. Get food bowls that lock to the side or else they will throw them off the shelves. Large water bottles are best (32 oz), ferrets need water available all the time.

OTHER

Ferrets are not usually recommended as pets for young children, they are rough and tumble players. Be sure you are supervising the ferret and the child when they are together. They may not mean to, but a ferret can bite hard when playing and hurt a small child.

MONEY

Please be sure you have emergency vet money set aside, it is recommended at least $1000 dollars, you do not want to end up as one of the kids on here asking, My ferret is injured how do I treat it without going to the vet. Thats not fair to the pet or responsible. I have thousands of dollars put aside for emergencies

There's an excellent book called Ferrets for Dummies, it's worth getting. And join up with some ferret bulletin boards. There should be some ferret groups over on yahoogroups also.

Hubby had one that he took with him when he drove a truck. You can buy ferret stuff at pet stores like shirts and leashes. He use to get alot of strange looks walking him. They like to sleep and they like it even better if they are hid. Make sure you have it in a cage with a ferret sized litter box. Use the clumping, dust free litter and clean iftoften cause even though it is de-sented they stink. If he runs loose he will poop in corners of your house. Also they like to hord stuff. His, when he was home and running loose would "steal" stuff and hide it. One time I was missing a bar of baby soap off the bathroom counter and found it when I cleaned out a closet. There is special ferret food you can buy, but you can supplement with treats. My little girl would tote this one any way she wanted and he never offered to bite her but would nip at the rest of us. Just type in ferret in a search engine and you will find alot of info on them. Also you can buy books on their care.

do searches on the internet and you will come up with a lot