Ferrets

Definitions

Under fur – shorter fur Guard hairs – longer fur Mitt – Fur on feet area Bib – Fur below chin and throat Mask – Coloring around eyes

Varieties

Common Sable – light-dark fur with mask or hood on face, black nose

White – White fur Red eyes

Silver Mitt – Under fur white/off white, guard hairs black and white, White feet and bib

Sterling silver - more white guard hairs, no mitts or bib

Characteristics•Long slender body

•Furry Tail

•From the weasel family

•Scientific name translates to mean “stinky little thief”

•Small mammals weighing less then 5 pounds

•Used for controlling rodents

•Have anal glands that produce a strong musky smell

•It is illegal to own a ferret in NYC, California and Hawaii•http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/press_archive99/pr36-629.shtml

Housing

Ferrets should have a large cage with levels

Ferrets like to burrow Ferrets should have a hammock

Feeding

Ferret food from pet store Food: Need high protein diet (similar to

cats) Treats should be specifically made for

ferrets from the pet store Not a good idea to provide sugar treats

What foods should I not feed my ferret? Ferrets should not eat sugary cereal, peanut

butter, grains, corn, rice, carbohydrates, raisins, bananas, other fruits, vegetables, dairy products, chocolate, other sweets, or any food with sugar. All of these items are loaded with complex carbohydrates and a ferret's strictly carnivorous digestive tract cannot process these foods. Diets high in carbohydrates may lead to intestinal problems and some types of cancer.

http://www.ferret.org/read/faq.html

Information

Life span: 8-11years Food: Need high protein diet (similar to cats) Sexually mature 10m Gestation 6-8w Litter size 6-8 kits Weaning age 6 weeks Sexing: Anogential distance

Health Problems

adrenal disease are tumors on the adrenal glands which are located in front of the kidneys

most common symptoms of adrenal disease include: hair loss usually beginning at the end of their tail (though it can appear anywhere on your ferret), muscle loss and/or a potbelly appearance, and weight loss.

Health Problems

Insulinoma – disease of the pancreas that causes dangerously low blood sugar

The most common early sign of insulinoma is "staring into space", blank expressions, etc. Other signs and symptoms include: depression, weight loss, foaming and pawing at the mouth, lack of appetite, difficulty in using hind legs, and in severe cases seizures

Health Problems

Flu/cold – They can catch it from you Should be vaccinated for canine distemper and

rabies Physical injuries – can get into small places and

get hurt Foreign Bodies – eat something that they should

not have Diarrhea – If it continues more then 3 days you

should have ferret examined by Vet

Handling

Handling: One hand around chest, one around butt

Restraint: Scruff and hold in air, Nutrical can be used to distract animal

Sexing: Anogential distance

http://www.ferret-universe.com/health/adrenal.asp#flow

http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/part5.html#common_diseases