Ferret Behavior & Husbandry PDF

FERRETS Behavior & Husbandry  Ferret Behavior Active & inquisitive Social but no well-defined social structure  estrus females / intact males will fight Can get along well w/ dogs & cats  do not trust w/ birds, rodents, rabbits! Relatively quiet (low-pitched mumbling,...

FERRETS Behavior & Husbandry  Ferret Behavior Active & inquisitive Social but no well-defined social structure  estrus females / intact males will fight Can get along well w/ dogs & cats  do not trust w/ birds, rodents, rabbits! Relatively quiet (low-pitched mumbling, chuckling (dooking), hissing, screaming) Latrining (will use a litter box)  Ferret Proof!! (See Handout) Seal all holes & openings wider than 1” Close cabinets (& dishwasher!) Remove access to soft rubber and plastic items -> ingestion can lead to GI obstruction Do Not Allow To Roam Large Areas Without Supervision !!  Housing Cages 24” x 24” x 18” (at least) high  At least “2 ferrets” long & deep  Like vertical space Good ventilation (wire best) Complete shelves Solid-bottomed sleeping box or hammock Litter box Appropriate Ferret Cage Another Inappropriate Ferret Cages  Outdoor Housing Ferrets do not tolerate temps above 90 F  Provide shade  Hyperthermia -> Heat Prostration  Optimum = 40 – 60 F Need heat source in temps less than 20 F Protect from predators Need heartworm preventative!!  VACCINES See Preventative Medicine Handout for vaccination protocols Rabies Virus (annual) – need to use vaccine approved for use in ferrets Canine Distemper Virus (annual) –cannot use the same vaccines used in dogs! Domestic ferret is NOT susceptible to Feline Panleukopenia Virus or Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis  Vaccine Reactions Vaccine reactions are relatively common in the ferret. Most adverse reactions are anaphylactoid and occur less than an hour after vaccination. Clinical signs of anaphylaxis in ferrets include generalized hyperemia, ptyalism and vomiting. Piloerection of the hair on the body and tail is an early sign of an anaphylactic reaction.  Nutrition STRICT CARNIVORES !!! Need diet high in MEAT proteins (30-40%) and fat (18-30%), low in carbohydrates and fiber  Commercial dry ferret or kitten food  Avoid sugary treats (up 1 tsp/day veggies or fruit is okay) No raw meat or eggs!!  Supplements Fatty acid supplement  Ferratone or Linatone 1ml/day Feline hairball preventative  Laxatone 1-2 ml, 2-3x/wk  Nutritional Support for Ill Animals Nutrical Hill’s A/D diet Human baby food - meat based only like with cats  Grooming Bath – once a month or less  More often -> dry skin/coat -> pruritis  Use mild ferret or kitten shampoo Ears – clean as needed  Ferrets normally produce a lot of ear wax Nails – trim about every 2 wks