Carolina Exotic Animal Hospital - Charlotte, NC

3742 Monroe Road • Charlotte, NC 28205 • (704) 342-9955

Ferrets

Ferrets are becoming more and more popular as pets these days. Man's association with ferrets can be traced back as far as the fourth century B.C. when they were used to exterminate vermin and hunt rabbits.

General Information - Male ferrets are called hobs, females, jills and babies, kits. Males are usually larger than the females, but both sexes undergo weight fluctuations in fall (gain) and spring (lose). The average life span is 5-7 years. Kits are born after 40-42 days of gestation; the average litter size is 8. They are able to eat solid food by 8 weeks of age (weaning). Sexual maturity occurs at 9-12 months of age. A breeding female comes into heat in the spring, usually from March to August. Ferrets can be trained to use litter boxes not unlike our pet cats.

ferrets ferret

Housing - A standard rabbit cage 24X24X18 inches with a wire mesh floor will be fine for up to 2 ferrets. Newspaper or wood shavings may be used under the wire floor.

Diet - Ferrets are carnivores, animals that feed on meat. They will do well on high quality cat foods such as Iams or Science Diet as these contain highly digestible top quality meat proteins. For ferrets under 3 years of age we recommend feeding kitten diets, while those over 3 can eat the adult or maintenance diets. There are also a variety of pelleted ferret diets on the market today which are also fine. Check labels for protein content; a range of 32-38% protein is fine. There is no need to feed ferrets canned food as this will tend to cause dental tartar. Avoid scraps for the most part. A little piece of fruit or vegetable every now and then will be ok. Stay away from feeding too much sugar as this can cause health problems such as diabetes mellitus.

Vaccinations - Ferrets should be vaccinated yearly for canine distemper and rabies. Distemper in the ferret is 100% fatal. Vaccines should start at 6-8 weeks of age and continue every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. At that time the rabies vaccine can be given. Then your pet should be vaccinated on a yearly basis. In many states it is now law that pet ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies.

We have briefly discussed various aspects of ferrets and their care. If at any time you have questions feel free to call the clinic at 704 342-9955.

Carolina Exotic Animal Hospital
3742 Monroe Road • Charlotte, NC 28205 • (704) 342-9955