Cammalu & All,
Butternut and Maggie are both rescues. Butternut is female, blonde and deaf (she doesn’t know that). Ferrets are part of the weasel family. When sold to the public they’re fixed and descented. You need a state license as a breeder to get an intact one. Butternut is my fourth ferret. Lifespan is 6-9 years (too bad). Butternut is 1.2 lbs. and a little large for a female.
Ferrets make wonderful small pets. They’re funny, smart and curious. They’re perfect in that they sleep 18-20 or so hours a day. In their native Northern European environment they’re semi- or more nocturnal. However they’ll change their circadian rhythms to your schedule. Butternut rises with me for a breakfast of turkey baby food (baby spoon full) (part of my bonding routine). She always has kibble and water in her cage but she wants to get out and play. She is sometimes up at noontime but her next active period is at dinner time and more baby food and play. Females are more active and 50% smaller than males. Males are more lethargic.
Ferrets can be insistent on love and play. You become “mommy ferret’ and need to teach what love is – that is kisses, stroking, petting, etc., they play naturally. They love to ride on your shoulder; I have a harness and leash for Butternut so I can take her out. Many times they’re like a mischievous 2 year old. They learn their names, simple commands, and can be taught to come when called. You need to ‘ferret proof’ their environment – they’ll get into any small space, holes, etc. like under the ‘fridge, dishwasher, into closets, (under the dash) and so on. Block off or close off any place you do not want them to be. Butternut loves to jump into the bathtub and play in the water. They love to sleep in a hammock. When I’m home or my van is stopped Butternut is out, otherwise she’s in her cage. They need a big enough cage for them to move around in with a litter box at the bottom. Her home cage is 6’ by 3’ and 5 levels high. Her van cage is 3’ by 2’ and 5 levels high.
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, that is meat only and high protein. Many pet food sources have ferret food. I feed a kibble which is 62% protein & 18% fat & of course her ‘treat’ of baby food. She also gets a baby spoonful of salmon oil daily. Ferrets digestive tract is only 4-5 hours long (no caecum) so they eat and poop every 4-5 hours around the clock. Many owners have more than one – 6 or more is not uncommon. However with more than one they bond and play with each other. I’ve only had one at a time so they bond with me, and it can be a tight bond. You can get any color or combination. Butternut goes to sleep on me. They naturally use a litter box and will return to their cage to bathroom. Litter needs to be natural (like World’s Best chopped up corn cobs) and it cannot be scented. They really don’t smell but they are fastidious. If their litter box is dirty they’ll go someplace else. I sift hers daily as well give her fresh water.
Ferret care is a little more than cats or dogs. You need to clip their nails, clean their ears, watch their volume of eating and drinking and poop for any irregularities, inspect their coat and bodies. Vet care is a little more expensive. Once a year wellness check unless sick or otherwise. Shots and flea/tick treatment too. Baths are generally not needed if you change their bedding regularly. I use yellow or pink gas station towels from Walmart and wash them with my wash.
Butternut and Maggie are both rescues. Butternut is female, blonde and deaf (she doesn’t know that). Ferrets are part of the weasel family. When sold to the public they’re fixed and descented. You need a state license as a breeder to get an intact one. Butternut is my fourth ferret. Lifespan is 6-9 years (too bad). Butternut is 1.2 lbs. and a little large for a female.
Ferrets make wonderful small pets. They’re funny, smart and curious. They’re perfect in that they sleep 18-20 or so hours a day. In their native Northern European environment they’re semi- or more nocturnal. However they’ll change their circadian rhythms to your schedule. Butternut rises with me for a breakfast of turkey baby food (baby spoon full) (part of my bonding routine). She always has kibble and water in her cage but she wants to get out and play. She is sometimes up at noontime but her next active period is at dinner time and more baby food and play. Females are more active and 50% smaller than males. Males are more lethargic.
Ferrets can be insistent on love and play. You become “mommy ferret’ and need to teach what love is – that is kisses, stroking, petting, etc., they play naturally. They love to ride on your shoulder; I have a harness and leash for Butternut so I can take her out. Many times they’re like a mischievous 2 year old. They learn their names, simple commands, and can be taught to come when called. You need to ‘ferret proof’ their environment – they’ll get into any small space, holes, etc. like under the ‘fridge, dishwasher, into closets, (under the dash) and so on. Block off or close off any place you do not want them to be. Butternut loves to jump into the bathtub and play in the water. They love to sleep in a hammock. When I’m home or my van is stopped Butternut is out, otherwise she’s in her cage. They need a big enough cage for them to move around in with a litter box at the bottom. Her home cage is 6’ by 3’ and 5 levels high. Her van cage is 3’ by 2’ and 5 levels high.
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, that is meat only and high protein. Many pet food sources have ferret food. I feed a kibble which is 62% protein & 18% fat & of course her ‘treat’ of baby food. She also gets a baby spoonful of salmon oil daily. Ferrets digestive tract is only 4-5 hours long (no caecum) so they eat and poop every 4-5 hours around the clock. Many owners have more than one – 6 or more is not uncommon. However with more than one they bond and play with each other. I’ve only had one at a time so they bond with me, and it can be a tight bond. You can get any color or combination. Butternut goes to sleep on me. They naturally use a litter box and will return to their cage to bathroom. Litter needs to be natural (like World’s Best chopped up corn cobs) and it cannot be scented. They really don’t smell but they are fastidious. If their litter box is dirty they’ll go someplace else. I sift hers daily as well give her fresh water.
Ferret care is a little more than cats or dogs. You need to clip their nails, clean their ears, watch their volume of eating and drinking and poop for any irregularities, inspect their coat and bodies. Vet care is a little more expensive. Once a year wellness check unless sick or otherwise. Shots and flea/tick treatment too. Baths are generally not needed if you change their bedding regularly. I use yellow or pink gas station towels from Walmart and wash them with my wash.
