Ferret Care Guide by Okami
Ferret Hygiene
Do NOT bathe your ferret more frequently than once a month. Often times I hear it suggested that a ferret should be bathed only twice a year. And when you do, use an all natural, sensitive baby skin shampoo, or do an “oatmeal soak”. Bathing your ferret can make their smell WORSE by drying out their skin, so afterwards it will overproduce the natural oils and intensify the stench. Ferrets just smell, and if you cant handle that, do NOT get a ferret.
Ferrets also need weekly or bi-weekly nail trimmings. Older ferrets may need them more frequently, as with my experience, their claws grow MUCH faster. Also, talk to your vet about cleaning your ferrets teeth. The procedure is VERY expensive, so try to get information on how to clean their teeth at home. Keep in mind that older ferrets have weaker teeth, so be extra gentle. A lack of cleaning can cause teeth to chip and fall out. Or, it can even lead to gum diseases, which you do NOT want.
Enclosures
A ferret nation or critter nation is the best enclosure for your ferret. Each floor can house two ferrets comfortably, so PLEASE do not overload your cage with too many ferrets. Although, those two cages are very expensive. Always try to take a look at second-hand sites (like craigslist in NC) for cages of the appropriate size. Or, use a website called CHEWY. It’s my go-to pet website.
And please, do not let you ferret roam in a cage where the floor is made of bars/wire. That is self explanatory, do NOT do that.
https://www.chewy.com/
Beds, and Bedding
So! This here is the fun part. My favorite things, are hammocks. Whether they be tunnel hammocks, double stack hammocks, or “hammock houses” as I call them. Or, you could go for “snuggle sacks”-some of which that hang on the wall of a cage (so do corner beds). A fantastic website for beds, fleeces, hammocks, etc-is etsy! Many of my ferret beds come from that site, check it out! Amazon also has a grat selection of hammocks and beds, just make sure they’re the right size : )
https://www.etsy.com/?ref=lgo
And now, here’s something of personal preference. I suggest NOT using any sort of kaytee bedding. (Or any in general). And only use fragrance and dust free bedding, if you decide to use it anyway. But, the bedding in the image below killed my first ferret. It was an uneducated fault of mine, I suppose, but I still see everyone use it. This bedding, when wet, SWELLS.
(TW) I had a young ferret at the time, and she ate it while I wasnt home. It swelled in her throat/stomach and killed her by suffocating her. So I highly suggest you do NOT use this bedding.
I’d rather suggest fleece, peepads, etc. You don’t want their floor to be hard. And again, I highly suggest not using any product similar to in the photo below. Don’t use wood shavings of any kind, either.
Toys
Another fun part! I love watching my ferrets play with their toys, stash them, or try to tear them apart. It’s entertainment for both of us, so it’s fun either way. BUT there are some things you should know. For one, only let your furbabies play with toys containing bells, squeakers, and etc, when they are being supervised. If they manage to rip those pieces out of said toys, they CAN choke on them, or eat them. You dont want that to happen. Also, toys with stuffing in them-keep an eye of those toys. When you start to see they are being torn or ripped, replace the toy, because again, the stuffing is a choking hazard for them. The ferret industry is rather small, and most products are sold by Marshalls (which, do not buy from them. They’re a puppymill but with...ferrets. If you want info on that watch THIS video)
Here’s an amazon list of toys I love to use for my ferrets! Forewarning, some of these toys contain bells, squeakers, and etc: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3EBXT78TF029U/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1?_encoding=UTF8&type=wishlist
Ferret Food
I will just link the foods and supplements I use on my ferrets below, the final link is to the food I use for my senior ferrets. One has it as her whole diet, the other senior has it as a supplement alongside her other food. And yes, it’s supposed to be a facebook link. You order from the admin herself : D
https://www.chewy.com/ziwi-peak-air-dried-mackerel-lamb/dp/184243
https://www.chewy.com/wysong-epigen-90-digestive-support/dp/131361
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074N4XWVQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mamadawnsmagicsoupie/
Helpful channels to teach you how to care for, and train your ferrets
Throughout my 3 or 4 years of having ferrets, I’ve learned a lot through several YouTubers who only give their ferrets the BEST care. Each one is highly educated. Some by schooling, others just by history. Either way, they each have great information and resources!
Pazuandfriends (personal favorite!)
Emzotic
The Modern Ferret
Ferret Tails
Ferret-World (yet another personal favorite!)
Ferret Starter kit (by me!)
This is a lists of purchases you’re going to want to make, in order to prepare for your ferret coming home! (You might be able to get better deals elsewhere, but this is a list made on amazon for ease of access to the necessities for you to have) These will definitely help you start up with your new baby, or may improve issues you’re having with a ferret you already have. (No corner boxes for using the bathroom, ferrets don’t like those!)
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3R6WI97QLVCFU/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2?_encoding=UTF8&type=wishlist
This post may be edited in the future to add more information, or to add something I MAY have forgotten. If you want me to add something, ask, or tell me, and id be glad to edit this post. Hope this was useful!
