01 Feb Do’s and Don’ts
Ten Ferret Do’s
1. Ferrets are obligate carnivores and require high
quality animal protein. Feed a high quality ferret
food such as Totally Ferret®.
2. Always have fresh water available.
3. Keep the litter box clean and use pelleted or
non-clumping litter.
4. Give your ferrets HARD tubing and HARD plastic
toys for play.
5. House your ferret in a wire cage, preferably 2-3
tiers, with some bedding, such as a snooze tube,
carpet or hammock.
6. “Ferret-proof” your home. Remove any access to
rubber items such as pipe insulation, shoe insoles,
etc. Use a hard, non-chewable screen to cover
things like the back of the refrigerator, stove,
washer, etc.
7. Kits should be vaccinated for Canine Distemper
and Rabies beginning at three months of age. Both
vaccines should then be given annually. Ask your
veterinarian to only use vaccines approved for
ferrets.
8. Keep toenails trimmed and ears cleaned.
9. Bathe your ferret with ferret shampoo. Overbathing
can strip natural oils from the ferret’s coat.
Once every three months is sufficient
10. Ferrets love to play and they bond quickly.
Spend time with your ferret daily. The rewards are
great!
Ten Ferret Don’ts
1. Do not feed cat or dog food to your ferret. Stay
away from chocolate (it’s toxic), dairy products (they
can cause blockage or diarrhea), sugar-based snacks,
and fruit, (which causes gas).
2. Avoid cat litters with baking soda, perfume, clay,
or wood chips (especially cedar or pine). Fumes can
cause respiratory problems and, as ferrets may roll in
their litter while playing, the oils will adhere to their
bodies and may be absorbed through their skin.
3. Please don’t let your ferret live in an aquarium –
there is no ventilation.
4. Small children should never be left unsupervised
with any ferret.
5. Do not allow your ferret to run loose in any room
that has not been “ferret-proofed” for safety.
6. Never de-claw or de-fang a ferret.
7. Be sure your veterinarian does not give your
ferret a combination shot (vaccine) as with other
pets. This can cause an allergic reaction and death.
8. Stay away from toys that are made of the following:
cloth, spongy material, soft rubber, plastic, and
latex. Ferrets have canine teeth and can shred any of
these, which, if ingested, may cause an intestinal
blockage and can be fatal.
9. Do not hold a ferret by their tail. Hold them by
the scruff of the neck.
10. NEVER abuse, neglect or ignore your ferret.
Ferrets make wonderful pets. As a ferret owner, it is
your responsibility to educate yourself in all aspects