Baby ferrets, or puppies, as they are also called, are charming little creatures that drive a strong personality and lots of energy. As such, many people who want to buy a ferret think of starting over with a baby ferret. However, many are confused about what it means to take care of a baby. Here are the answers to the 10 most common questions about baby ferrets.
1. Is a kit suitable for me?
This mainly depends on your available time. It is true that kits are more active and much more playful than adult ferrets, so they require much more time and attention, but give them the love they need and you will be able to watch them grow and enjoy them full of energy for years to come. . Keep in mind that you must train and socialize the little one; in effect, you will be his older brother (human), teaching him to distinguish good from evil.
The problem is even more complicated if you already have young children at home. Human children and ferret children are not a good combination, as not only will you find it difficult to spend time on both, but children can often be quite cruel to small animals even without realizing it, and kits have the bad habit of pinching. As such, there is the potential for conflict and injury. So before making the decision, think about whether you can give the kit all the time and attention it needs, without affecting your job or your children.
2. How much does a kit cost?
This depends from country to country and whether you buy it from a pet store, breeder, or shelter. In the US, you should be prepared to pay between $ 75- $ 300. Shelters are the cheapest, but you will usually only find adult ferrets there. Pet stores are in second place, while breeders are the most expensive.
3. When can I neuter / descend my baby ferret?
If you want to neuter and / or lower them, wait until they enter the seventh week of their life.
4. What should I feed my baby ferret?
Unless you have raised him since he was born, a kit must be weaned from his old diet. To make life easier for you, when shopping for your new pet, ask the breeder or pet store clerk what kind of food they have been feeding you and, if they have given you special food, what brand it was. If you decide to change your diet, don’t do it abruptly, but slowly and gradually introduce the new food into your diet.
While adults will do fine eating cat food, ferret food is recommended for babies because they need higher quality protein in their diet and cat food just doesn’t have that. One tip to remember is to soak your food in warm water for a few minutes, regardless of whether you are changing your diet or not. Make sure the food is 35 percent or more protein and 20 percent fat, and look for balanced fats like poultry fat because it contains a better mix of essential fatty acids, essential for your little ferret. Also make sure you have plenty of water all the time and change the water twice a day. Never leave your baby without water! Dehydration can cause serious health problems.
5. Is it safe for my children to play with a kit?
For the sake of your little ferret and your children, it’s probably a good idea to keep them apart as much as possible, or at least keep them under supervision while they play with each other. The problem is both ways: Children can easily hurt a baby ferret while playing with it, and the latter has a bad (albeit cute) habit of being agile. Biting is not a habit to encourage in your ferret, especially when you have young children around.
6. How should I configure the cage for my kit?
You should prepare a large cage for them and make sure they have enough space to move and play. Try to avoid metal cages as they are prone to rust. If you buy a cage made of plastic-coated wires, make sure your furry doesn’t chew on the wires. The cage should also have plenty of places for the kit to sleep and hide. Accessories like hammocks and sleeping bags are highly appreciated by babies, but make sure they don’t hurt themselves when using them. For bedding you can use any type of soft padding.
7. Do baby ferrets need vaccinations?
Depending on their age, little ferrets generally need up to five vaccinations. If you bought it from a reputable source, you probably already had your first shit (called a distemper shot), so you don’t have to worry about that. Make sure the ferret you buy has a health certificate, so you can see what vaccinations it already had and take it to the vet to schedule future vaccinations.
8. How many babies can a mother ferret have?
Normally, a mother will give birth to 7 or 8 young.
9. My ferret has just given birth, but her young appear to be blind. This is normal?
Don’t worry, this is completely normal. Like many other animals, ferrets are practically blind at birth. Only later, after about three weeks, do they begin to open their eyes.
10. When can baby ferrets leave their mother?
They are ready to leave their mother after six weeks. This is when you should step in and take on the role of ferret parent. Remember to take them to the vet when they are seven weeks old.