Ferrets are so cute and cuddly that as soon as you see one at the pet store, you’re ready to bring one home. But what most people don’t realize is that they’re not just fuzzy little wind-up toys. Ferrets are unique animals and they make wonderful pets, but it’s important to understand before you take yours home what you should expect. Ferrets Need Social Contact Although they’re a little like hamsters, their personalities couldn’t be more different. Ferrets are extremely social animals. They can’t be kept in a cage all day. You should plan to have them outside of the cage for at least 4 hours each day. They’re also going to need some quality time with their human companions. If you’re extremely busy and you don’t have any pet time in your schedule, a ferret might not be right for you. Your Other Pets (and Children!) If you have [...] Read more »

The ferret – what comes to mind when you think about this strange little creature? If you’re like most, you might imagine a kind of weasel that stinks and bites, and is only owned by weird human beings as pets. All of this is wrong, however, and some of the facts about what ferrets are and what they aren’t described below may surprise you. Ferrets Aren’t Rodents Lots of people make the mistake of thinking that ferrets are rodents. Although they bear some resemblance to certain animals in the rodent kingdom, they aren’t just a giant kind of rat. The truth is that ferrets fit into a niche all of their own. They’re most closely related to the European polecat. Personality-wise, they’re somewhere between dogs and cats. Ferrets Aren’t Wild Animals Another common misconception is that ferrets are wild animals. They get lumped into the oddball pet category along with [...] Read more »

Before you bring your fuzzy little friend home for the first time, make sure that you’ve got your ferrets cage arranged. Choosing the right type of cage is important but so is making sure it contains everything your ferret needs. It should be not only a safe haven for your ferret, but also a place where it can play and entertain itself. Choosing the Right Ferrets Cage While there are cages that are made specifically for ferrets, you don’t necessarily need to buy one. Any cage will do as long as two conditions are met. 1. It needs to be big enough that your ferret can run around and play in it. Ferrets are small, so it should be at least 2 by 3 feet. 2. There need to be no gaps between the bars. Ferrets are notorious for wriggling out of their cages. Make sure you’ve got not more [...] Read more »

Ferret proofing your home before you bring home your new pet ferret is a must. These animals are cute, sweet, smart, silly, sociable. They are also crafty, clever and mischievous! No matter how well you ferret-proof your home, it’ll always find something you missed. Here are the basics of what you need to do before your new ferret arrives. Plug up Holes Look carefully everywhere for holes in walls or floors where they can escape. Get down on all fours and give a thorough inspection. Ferrets can easily slip through anything over about 2 inches by 2 inches. If you find any small holes anywhere, seal them up with duct tape. Prevent Ferret Injuries Inspect the house for any place where a ferret can get injured. They like to get into things, even more so than cats, so consider everything. Particularly dangerous items include reclining chairs, drawers, folding sofa beds, [...] Read more »

One of the reasons why ferrets are so popular is that they do a pretty good job of taking care of themselves. Ferrets are cute, cuddly, low-maintenance pets that are easy for anybody to keep. Here are some of the basics of ferret care and feeding that you should know before you get your first one. The Right Habitat The perfect temperature for a ferret’s home is between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If your home doesn’t naturally fit into this range, you should take some special and use a heater or AC. They can deal with temperatures a little bit higher, but they can easily die if it’s over 90 degrees. Your ferret needs a cage. They now make specialty cages just for ferrets since they’ve become so popular recently, but any cage will do as long as there’s no more than 1.5 inches between the bars. They can [...] Read more »