Ferrets are unique pets. They have specific needs in order to live a long, happy and healthy life. Here is a basic overview on how to care for a pet ferret!
Table of Contents
Step 1: Set Up Safe Housing
There are a couple different options for housing your ferret. They can live free-reign in a ferret proofed room or rooms, or they can be contained within a large ferret cage. If contained, their space should be large enough so that they can climb around and play, and they should be let out of their cage for a couple hours every day to play.
Make sure that your ferret is kept in an area that gets light foot traffic. This helps to keep them from feeling totally isolated while they’re put away, but gives them enough peace to sleep for their usual 14-18 hours daily.
Step 2: Ferret Proof Your House
Ferrets need space to run around, explore, and play. In order to create a safe environment for your ferret, and to protect your belongings, you need to take the time to thoroughly ferret proof the area. This process involves blocking off any crawlspaces or openings such as fireplaces, windows, doors, and air ducts, covering all wires with flexible tubing or plastic sleeves, and hide any items your ferret may ingest.
I always recommend pretending you’re a ferret for a bit in order to do a really thorough job. Get down on your hands and knees and look under and inside of areas that may pose a threat. If you neglect even one space, your ferret will find and exploit it relatively quickly, so take your time! Learn more in the article Ferret Proofing Your House.
Step 3: Provide Fresh Food and Water
There are two facts about ferrets that determine their diet. First, they’re obligate carnivores, meaning that they get all of their nutrients from animal flesh (and can’t digest much else). Second, they have very short digestive systems and metabolisms.
Because of these traits, a ferret’s diet should mainly consist of a high-protein pelleted ferret food, and this food should be available around the clock. This pellet food can be supplemented with ferret-specific treats and salmon oil. You can learn more about what food to feed your ferret at What to Feed Your Pet Ferret.
In addition to food, water should also be available 24/7 in a high-quality water bottle.
Step 4: Establish a Litter Box
Unlike cats, ferrets aren’t naturally too particular about where they poop. Ferrets do poop in corners (to help them feel more safe), but they don’t actively seek out a substance that they can bury their poop in. What this means for you is that you’ll have to put some effort into establishing a litter box.
The good news, though, is that ferrets can be litter trained! Set up a litter box in the corner of your ferret’s cage or one or two corners of their dedicated room. Put a thin layer of ferret-safe, recycled newspaper litter at the bottom of the litter box. Avoid using clay/clumping litter or wood shavings, as they aren’t safe for ferrets.
The start of your ferret litter training journey will involve catching your ferret trying to poop in a corner and moving them to their litter box, but it does get easier. Learn more at Litter Training Your Pet Ferret.
Step 5: Provide Enrichment
Ferrets are energetic, and when they’re done sleeping and eating, they’re going to want to play. Not only is this essential for good physical fitness, but it’s also great for keeping ferrets mentally stimulated! The absolute best way to keep your ferret entertained and active is by getting them another ferret to play with.
Outside of ferret companionship, there are numerous toys that ferrets love. Long, twisty tubes can keep a ferret entertained for hours, as can a cardboard box filled with shredded paper or packing peanuts. Our Ferret Toys article will give you more ideas.
Your ferret will play with these toys themself, but it’s always best to get involved and play with them. Your ferret will form a relationship with you, and they love when you play with them!
Step 6: Groom Your Ferret
Despite the popular misconception, ferrets are naturally clean animals and groom themselves regularly. While this maintains a baseline of cleanliness, you still need to groom your ferret regularly.
Ferrets shed a couple times a year. It’s important to brush your ferret regularly to remove all of the excess fur. If this isn’t done, your ferret can ingest the loose fur and get hairballs, which can be distressing.
Regular nail clipping is also important because unkempt nails can snag on things, cut your ferret while they’re scratching, or can even curl back into your ferret’s paw in serious cases. Check out our article on Clipping Your Ferret’s Nails.
Step 7: Bring Your Ferret to a Ferret-Savvy Vet
Ferrets are prey animals, which unfortunately means that they work to hide any and all symptoms of illness, often until it’s too late. Your job as the owner of a pet ferret is to maintain a watchful eye and ensure your ferret is eating, drinking, pooping, peeing, and sleeping normal amounts. If you notice behavior changes, it’s best to consult a vet with ferret knowledge as soon as possible. Our Ferret Health section is a wealth of knowledge on common problems and symptoms.
Aside from responding to any health concerns, you also want to take preventative action by taking your ferret for regular checkups. A ferret checkup involves inspecting the teeth, ears, eyes, fur, and skin to make sure the ferret is entirely healthy.
Step 8: Learn Ferrets’ Unique Language and Behavior
While some people view ferrets as similar to other animals in some ways, they’re very different! In order to maintain a solid relationship with your ferret, you need to understand ferret behavior, sounds, and their overall thought process.
By catering to your ferret’s biological behaviors, you’ll be able to form a naturally healthy relationship with surprisingly little effort. Read our post on Building a Relationship with Your Ferret for more information.
Essential Ferret Supplies Checklist
If you’re going to properly care for your ferret, you’ll need to have certain supplies in your repertoire — there’s no way around it. Below is a list of some key ferret supplies that help you provide the best care possible.
- Cage
- Your ferret’s cage is where you should spend the most money. It needs to be large, made of very durable materials, and escape-proof.
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- Litter pan
- A small litter box that fits in, and attaches to, the cage’s corner is perfect. Get one with a high back to keep everything contained.
- Buy on Amazon
- Food dish
- Get a food dish that secures to the side of a wire cage to prevent spills.
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- Water bottle
- A large, high-quality water bottle to ensure a constant supply of water.
- Buy on Amazon
- Hammock
- Attaching to the top of a wire care, hammocks are a ferret’s favorite sleeping quarters.
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- Bed
- Purchase this in place of, or in addition to, a hammock. High sides on the bed allow ferrets to curl up.
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- Carrier
- Allowing you to safely and securely bring your ferret to the vet or any other locations outside of the house.
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- Plush toys
- Small portable toys that ferrets can throw around or stash in their favorite hiding spot.
- Buy on Amazon
- Food
- Purchase the highest-quality high-protein pellet food you can buy.
- Buy on Amazon
- Ferret-safe litter
- Opt for a recycled newspaper litter.
- Buy on Amazon
- Treats
- Healthy ferret-specific treats, including salmon oil.
- Buy on Amazon
- Nail clippers
- You’ll need to regularly trim your ferret’s nails, so get clippers that efficiently get the job done.
- Buy on Amazon
- Slicker brush
- A durable yet gentle brush to regularly remove your ferret’s loose fur.
- Buy on Amazon
Ferret Care Frequently Asked Questions
Are ferrets high maintenance?
Ferrets are curious, determined, and flexible, resulting in them being considered escape artists that are fairly high maintenance. Any room that a ferret will have access to needs to be thoroughly ferret-proofed to prevent them from escaping, getting stuck/hurt, or damaging your property.
Do ferrets poop a lot?
Thanks to a ferret’s short gastrointestinal tract and metabolism, they usually poop around 3 or 4 times per day — sometimes more! This makes it necessary to litter train your ferret and use a high-quality paper litter for safety.
Can ferrets be left alone for a day?
If caged and provided with plenty of food and water, ferrets can be left alone for a day if an emergency arises. However, ferrets need to run around and play for several hours every day, so keeping them locked up for long periods of time should be avoided.
About the Author
Zach David is a veteran ferret owner and a contributing editor of Ferret Guide. When he’s not writing about ferrets for Ferret Guide, Zach writes about all sorts of other pets on his blog beyondthetreat.com and plays with his ferret, 3 cats, and tarantula!
