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Ear Mites and Ferrets—Diagnosis and Treatment

Ear mites and Ferrets

Unfortunately, ear mite infestation is very common in ferrets. It is also common in cats and dogs. According to the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, ear mites, or Otodectes cynotis is believed to exist worldwide.

Otodectes cynotis live their lives inside an animal’s ears. Otodectes cynotis is contagious and spread by direct contact among ferrets, cats, dogs and other animals.  Many kits already have ear mites before they are brought home. Because of the highly contagious nature of ear mites, if you have more than one ferret, or have other pets, all pets in your home need to be treated.  Even those pets who do not show obvious signs of ear mite infestation need to be treated, because the treated pet may be reinfected immediately after the end of treatment by those pets who were not treated.

Ear Mites and Ferrets

Otodectes cynotis is often unnoticed in ferrets. One reason is that the mites are very tiny and can only be seen under a microscope. Another reason is that ferrets rarely show signs of being infected with ear mites. Ear mites in cats and dogs can often be suspected due to ear scratching and head shaking when they have an ear mite infestation.  Ferrets rarely show these signs. A third reason is that, although a thick, reddish brown to black, waxy discharge is commonly observed in ferrets suffering from ear mite infestation, it is also normal for ferrets to have a brown ear wax.  Therefore, a diagnosis of ear mite infestation cannot be made by merely observing the color of a ferret’s ear wax. The diagnosis must be made by a veterinarian. Continue reading Ear Mites and Ferrets—Diagnosis and Treatment

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How to Bathe a Ferret—Important Steps

 

how to bathe a ferret

Before we get into how to bathe a ferret, it is important to know when to bathe a ferret.

Many ferret owners love their pets but get frustrated by their smell, which can be quite strong. Bathing ferrets can be a good way to combat odor. Ferrets should not be bathed more than once every 3 months. Bathing a ferret too often can actually make the smell worse. Bathing strips oils from a ferret’s skin and oil glands go into overdrive to replace it. This results in even more odor! Ferrets can become itchy and uncomfortable when bathed too often, as well. If your ferret is scratching frequently, you might want to cut back on how often you’re bathing her.

Ferret smells are actually more often related to a ferret’s bedding, cage, and blankets than to the ferret himself. Try washing these items before bathing your ferret to rule them out as the primary cause of odor. For more info on ferret odor, see this article about getting rid of ferret smells.

How to Bathe a Ferret—Important Steps

Before starting the bathing process, you may find it helpful to get her used to water first. If your ferret doesn’t like water, first let her play in the sink or tub without water, so she gets used to being in the place where she will be bathed. When she seems to feel comfortable in the tub or sink, turn the faucet on just a little bit and let her explore the water. Give her licks of salmon oil, or another healthy treat as you gradually get her wet. Many ferrets love to play in the water, and some even like to swim! Continue reading How to Bathe a Ferret—Important Steps

 

how to bathe a ferret

Before we get into how to bathe a ferret, it is important to know when to bathe a ferret.

Many ferret owners love their pets but get frustrated by their smell, which can be quite strong. Bathing ferrets can be a good way to combat odor. Ferrets should not be bathed more than once every 3 months. Bathing a ferret too often can actually make the smell worse. Bathing strips oils from a ferret’s skin and oil glands go into overdrive to replace it. This results in even more odor! Ferrets can become itchy and uncomfortable when bathed too often, as well. If your ferret is scratching frequently, you might want to cut back on how often you’re bathing her.

Ferret smells are actually more often related to a ferret’s bedding, cage, and blankets than to the ferret himself. Try washing these items before bathing your ferret to rule them out as the primary cause of odor. For more info on ferret odor, see this article about getting rid of ferret smells.

How to Bathe a Ferret—Important Steps

Before starting the bathing process, you may find it helpful to get her used to water first. If your ferret doesn’t like water, first let her play in the sink or tub without water, so she gets used to being in the place where she will be bathed. When she seems to feel comfortable in the tub or sink, turn the faucet on just a little bit and let her explore the water. Give her licks of salmon oil, or another healthy treat as you gradually get her wet. Many ferrets love to play in the water, and some even like to swim! Continue reading How to Bathe a Ferret—Important Steps

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Ferret In Cage Ferret Out of Cage—How Much Time Should a Ferret Spend In and Out of Cage?

How Much Time Should a Ferret Spend In and Out of Cage

Ferrets have a knack for making us feel guilty when we put them in their cage. One of my ferrets, Toby, was always trying to ” break out”. He would climb up to the top door, grab the bars in his paws and push and shake the door, trying to open it.

However, for their protection, ferrets should be kept in a ferret cage, enclosure, ferret-proof room or area when not being supervised. But how much time should a ferret spend in and out of cage?

A ferret’s cage not only acts as their home—a place he should feel comfortable in—it is also a place to keep him safe. There are endless dangers around your home—wires, appliances, cleaning supplies… It’s simply not safe to permit your ferret to roam free without supervision. Even if you think you have ferret-proofed your home, there is no limit to what a ferret can find to get into. For example, one time, two of my ferrets worked as a team to dig a hole in the bottom of my box spring. They decided it was a good place to store their toys. They could have easily got caught in the springs or otherwise trapped in there. When you are away from home or unable to keep an eye on your ferret, keep your ferret in his cage or other designated ferret living space. For information on suitable ferret enclosures, see ferret cages for more info. Continue reading Ferret In Cage Ferret Out of Cage—How Much Time Should a Ferret Spend In and Out of Cage?

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The Key to Getting Rid of Ferret Smells

As ferret parents, we all know ferrets smell. While some people don’t mind the musky odor, and a few actually like it, most of us could do without it. This characteristic of ferrets, unfortunately, leads to many ferrets being left in cages or in need of a new home.

As ferret lovers, we try to keep the odor under control but accept it as being inevitable with having a ferret or ferrets as part of the family.

If you are willing to put forth the effort (which is not as much as you may think), you can be surprisingly successful at getting rid of ferret smells. The key is to attack odor at all the sources with the appropriate methods and products.

The Key to Getting rid of ferret smells is getting rid of ferret smells everywhere. The more areas and sources of odor you treat on a regular basis, the less odor there will be. If one area smells like a ferret, it will transfer to other areas. Continue reading The Key to Getting Rid of Ferret Smells

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Flea Treatment For Ferrets—Safty First

ferret flea treatment

What Are Fleas?

Fleas are tiny, usually dark-colored, insects.  Fleas attach themselves to animal and human skin–including ferrets. They bite and feed on the animal’s blood.  

Each female flea may produce 50 or 60 eggs a day!  Flea eggs hatch in about 4 days. 

Larvae eat the droppings of mature fleas for about 2 weeks, then spin cocoons and become pupae. Inside the cocoons, the pupae turn into fleas that emerge in 3 or 4 weeks as a new generation.

While most ferrets are not overly sensitive to fleas, some may develop skin irritations, allergies and even anemia.  Fleas reproduce quite quickly, laying batches of eggs on the ferret or other animals. The fleas can then spread to the animal’s surroundings. It’s then important to consider safe flea treatments for ferrets.

Causes of Fleas in Ferrets

When the weather gets warm and humid, the fleas come out. Ferrets that go outside can pick up fleas from the environment. Ferrets can also get fleas from other pets or even people.

Flea eggs can remain dormant for up to two years, waiting for victims.  Not only lying in wait outside, but they can also hide in furniture, carpets, bedding, clothes… Continue reading Flea Treatment For Ferrets—Safty First

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Ferret Cage Accessories—Fun and Practical

ferret cage accessories

There are a lot of different options for accessories for your ferret’s cage. Some are necessary and practical and some are fun additions. The type you choose depends primarily on the type of cage you have–number of levels, size and configuration of any shelves you may have. Ferret Cage Accessories–Fun and Practical

If you don’t have a ferret cage yet, you can check out my recommendations in this article.

Ferret Cage Accessories—Beds and HammocksFerret Cage Accessories

Ferrets are so energetic and playful when they are awake! But, they need their sleep to recharge. Ferrets may sleep a total of 15 hours a day–often 3-4 hours at a time. 

Ferrets are happiest with two types of beds: sleeping sacks and hammocks.

Continue reading Ferret Cage Accessories—Fun and Practical

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Best Hairball Treatment–For Ferrets

Best Hairball Treatment

Best Hairball Treatment

For Ferrets

Ferrets can get hairballs, unfortunately they lack the natural reflux ability of coughing it up like cats do.

Why do ferrets get hairballs?

Shedding

Ferrets shed twice a year. They shed their coats to prepare for seasonal weather changes. The thick winter coat is shed in Spring to be replaced by a thinner, summer coat. The summer coat is then shed in Fall to again be replaced by a thicker, winter coat.

During this shedding time, the fluffy undercoat hairs may be seen floating around in the air. The longer guard hairs may be found covering your ferret’s bedding. The finer undercoat hairs, especially, can get mixed in with your ferret’s food. Then, as your ferret eats, these hairs may be swallowed. The same is true when your ferret grooms himself. If enough of these hairs are ingested, they can clump up in the stomach forming a hairball. Continue reading Best Hairball Treatment–For Ferrets

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Are Ferrets Hypoallergenic? Allergies and Pets

are ferrets

Are Ferrets Hypoallergenic?

Allergies and Pets

Hypoallergenic–meaning relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction

Are Ferrets Hypoallergenic? Allergies and Pets

Allergies are a widespread chronic condition all over the world. Anyone can develop an allergy at any time. It is estimated that one in four people have chronic allergies and that one in ten has allergies to pets–cats most of all.

Pet allergy symptoms can include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, scratchy throat or mouth, or itchy, red or watering eyes. For some people with allergic asthma, being around a pet can trigger wheezing or difficulty breathing.

Are ferrets hypoallergenic? There are many myths and misconceptions about allergies and pets.


How many of these common beliefs about allergies and pets can you identify correctly as true or false?

  1. A pet’s fur causes allergies.
  2. You can become desensitized to your pet and no longer have allergy symptoms.
  3. Rodents and other small furry pets are recommended for allergy sufferers.
  4. Pets that live outdoors cause fewer allergy problems.
  5. Restricting a pet to one or two rooms of your house will lessen allergy symptoms.
  6. You can be more allergic to your pet in Spring and Fall.
  7.  People who are allergic to their pets must find new homes for them.

Continue reading Are Ferrets Hypoallergenic? Allergies and Pets

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Ferret Dig Box Contents—Options and Alternatives

Ferret Dig Box ContentsWhat to Put into Your Ferret Dig Box 

Many ferret parents search for an outlet for their ferret’s natural exuberance for digging. One solution is a ferret dig box. A ferret dig box contents can have many options and there are many alternatives.

Personally, I am not a fan of typical ferret dig boxes. Since these boxes are shallow, they can be quite messy. Ferrets dig around and scatter the contents everywhere. Some people put a lid on it, but there still needs to be openings so the ferret can breathe. And if you are making holes in plastic, there are sharp edges that can hurt your ferret (and you). Then there is the association with the litter box. I had a friend who had a ferret, Willie. Willie was quite tidy about his litter box. He always tried to go in one corner and kept the rest clean. He never played in it or scattered the litter around his cage. Then he was given a dig box–a dishpan filled with rice. He loved it. Rice was everywhere! Then one day, Willie made the association. Rice was kind of like litter. They are both in a box. He had such a good time digging around in his dig box, he decided it would be just as much fun to dig in his nice (mostly clean) litter box!

Options and Alternatives

Similar to a ferret dig box, one of the best toys for a ferret is a play box. This is not the same as a ferret dig box–it’s much larger–at least deeper. This alternative to a ferret dig box gives ferrets the joy of digging combined with the instinct for tunneling. Some of the ferret dig box contents can be used in the ferret play box as well. Continue reading Ferret Dig Box Contents—Options and Alternatives

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Soft Ferret Food

Soft Ferret FoodSoft Ferret Food

Since ferrets are strict carnivores, they need a healthy, quality, meat based protein diet. But, ferrets can be finicky eaters. If a ferret doesn’t like the taste, texture or size of his food–especially kibble, he simply won’t eat it. If a ferret is ill or has dental problems, he may stop eating his normal food as well.

It may be time to try soft ferret food. Pet food manufactures do not provide many options for soft ferret food. Because ferrets should not eat grains and other carbohydrates, it is often difficult to find a suitable diet (for info on ferret nutrition click here). Continue reading Soft Ferret Food