Ferrets need exercise and can litter box trained like cats, but should never be left unattended when loose in the house. Make sure you have a safe enclosure for when they are unattended. 

Housing should have solid flooring, or if wired, be filled with bedding of shavings – NO CEDAR, newspaper or commercially available bedding made of recycled paper or cloth.

Their enclosure should contain some furniture, like muffs, corrugated tubes, dryer vent tubing or large PVC pipes for tunneling.

You should also provide them with folded cloth, like a sheet or flannel  for them to burrow and sleep. Hammocks are a popular addition.

They should have a constant source of fresh water and a litter box.

DO NOT given them rubber or plastic toys that can be easily torn apart. 

DO NOT give them unsupervised freedom in your house.

DO NOT use cedar shavings.

DO NOT let them overheat.

Avoid dogs and birds and ALWAYS supervise them around children.

Keep them away from electrical cords.

Keep their home clear of fraying fabrics to avoid ingestion and intestinal blockages.

Ferrets require a diet high in meat protein and fat. They cannot digest large amounts of fiber and do not need many carbohydrates. Treats of fruit or veggies should be restricted to about a teaspoon per day and sugary treats should be avoided altogether. 

A commercially prepared diet specifically for ferrets is recommended. 

DO NOT feed table scraps, soy flour, wheat gluten, sweets, dairy products,  bones or chocolate.

Make sure to groom them on a regular basis, bathe them, trim their nail, brush their teeth and clean their ears.

Always check their play area for potential hazards.

Provide them toys to play with in their enclosure when you are not home – anything they can bat around, roll, toss or chew but NOT EAT.

Avoid exposing them to human influenza or corona viruses – they may be susceptible to them.

Make sure to take your ferret to a Veterinarian yearly for a full physical exam. They will check their teeth, heart, lungs, skin coat, eyes and palpate their abdomen for any abnormalities.

Keep them up to date on their distemper and rabies vaccinations – these are recommended yearly!

• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Tumors
• Cardiomyopathy
• Influenza/respiratory disease
• Electric shock
• Urinary stones/cystitis/renal disease
• Dental and gum disease
• Ear mites
• Fleas/flea allergy dermatitis
• Canine distemper

• Urinary blockage (males)
• Weakness or seizures from low blood sugar (insulinoma)
• Intestinal blockage