YOUR FIRST FERRETS
YOUR FERRET'S DAILY ROUTINE
Your kits should be 8-10 weeks old,weaned off Mum's milk and started on solids.They will enjoy ferret complete
biscuits soaked in water and beef mince given at room temperature.You will find like all baby animals they will
gorge themselves to bursting point if you let them.So it is best to give them small regular feeds until they realise
they don't have to eat it all at once.After a couple of weeks put a small bowl of un-soaked biscuits in their pen so
they can choose.The hard crunchy biscuit will help to strengthen their teeth.Make sure they have a supply of
clean water.
ADULTS
Older ferrets also need a high protein diet to maintain good health,skin and glossy coat.They will be happy to
eat ferret complete biscuits but make sure they are available 24 hours a day,as they are constant nibblers.As a
treat your pets can have rabbit and beef mince at room temperature.Ferrets also like an array of vegetables as a
treat but some owners don't agree with this.90 % of our members give veggies as treats in small quantities and it
hasn't hurt a ferret yet.In fact one of my own ferrets died recently at the age of 9 years and thrived on his daily
intake of veg.Obviously not all ferrets like veg but the ones that do just love it.Some of the veg that has been
reported to me as ferret friendly are - tomato - cucumber - broccoli - red/yellow peppers even apples - pears -
bananas and oranges.I had an e-mail from America telling me that they also feed their pets fruit and veg.To
much can of course cause diarrhoea which cannot be good news so beware.
Dairy products are not good for your pets even though I know of some people who give their ferrets ice-cream
which I know they love.
The odd egg mixed with tea is a great treat but not to often as you will find your pet's fur will fall out.

CLEANING
Make sure the bowls you use for your ferret's food are clean and free from dried on food.
Change their bedding regularly and replace with clean jumpers or shredded paper.
If your pets do have fleas and ticks FRONTLINE is recommended but do not over do it.I usually spray my rubber
glove and then rub it into the ferret's fur rather than spraying it straight on the the ferret, as it can cause
blistering of the skin that you must agree can be very painful.
TOYS
Ferrets love toys and will spend hours exploring a new one.Plastic carpet tubes can be obtained from carpet
warehouses free of charge.Large cardboard boxes with holes cut out the side,stuffed with plastic shopping bags
that rustle will keep your pets happy for hours.Babies cast offs such as rattles and balls are great and you can
pick these up at any car boot sale quite cheaply.Squeaky toys will keep them amused.Make sure with any toy
that small pieces cannot be chewed off causing choking. Avoid anything stuffed with foam.
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This page last modified on Wednesday, December 14, 2005