Ferrets As Pets

In many ways, ferrets act like kittens that never grow up. They have energy, curiosity, and potential for chaos all their lives, and are always keenly aware of their surroundings. However, they are far more people-oriented than cats, and most actively elicit play with their owners.

Their lifespan can vary widely, but usually falls between six and eight years, though in rare cases they can live into their early teens.

Ferrets are obligate carnivores; their natural diet consists entirely of meat, and they lack the ability to digest vegetable matter.

There are a wide variety of ferret foods available at pet shops worldwide. A cat or kitten food can also be used, as long as it provides the high protein and fat content required by the ferret's metabolism. Ideally, a ferret food should contain between 32-38% protein and between 15-20% fat, with the top three ingredients meat-based.

Ferrets usually have a fondness for sweets like raisins, bananas, peanut butter, and pieces of cereal. Such treats should be given sparingly (if at all), as their high sugar content has been linked to insulinoma and other diseases. Many ferret owners have resorted to just hand feeding whatever ferret kibble they use, as a treat.

Ferrets spend 14 to 18 hours a day sleeping, but when awake they are very active, exploring their surroundings relentlessly. Ferrets are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. If kept in a cage, they should be let out for a few hours daily to get exercise and satisfy their curiosity.

Ferrets need their nails clipped and ears cleaned on a regular basis. Most ferrets also shed twice a year, in the spring and fall; during this time, it is a good idea to brush them regularly and give them a laxative or petroleum jelly to protect against ingesting too much fur.