Fig.

Ferrets are unique, affectionate and inquisitive animals that make great pets.
Ferrets
Ferrets will spend over half their day sleeping but when awake they are active and entertaining
members of the family. [2]
Ferrets require the right diet, hutch and vaccinations to stay happy and healthy.

Ferrets are social animals that prefer to live in couples or

groups and are best raised together from a young age.
Remember to keep all other pets separate from you ferrets. [1]
Housing
Ferrets require a large hutch that can protect them
from the weather and predators.
Their hutch should be tall, multileveled and consist of
designated play and sleep areas. [2]
Hutches made from glass or metal should be avoided,
as they will not provide your ferrets environment with
proper ventilation. [1]
A wooden frame hutch covered in fly-screen mesh
and filled with plenty of hiding spots is the perfect
living environment for your ferret. [1]
Ferrets are fantastic escape artists so it is important
to have a hutch with small, lockable openings. [2]
Providing your ferrets with multiple bedding areas is
important for resting and hiding. Soft hay or
shredded waterproof paper is a good choice. [1]
To help keep your ferrets healthy, be sure to clean
out any soiled bedding every day. [1]
Avoid hutches that have wire based flooring. The
skin on your ferrets feet is sensitive and can be
damaged by having to walk on wire. [2]
Fig.3
Fig.2
Toys and Exercise
Ferrets are curious and active creatures.
Remember all exploration sessions outside of their
hutch must be supervised and take place within a
secure area. [3]
Installing ramps, hammocks, tunnels and ladders
throughout your ferrets hutch will help ensure they
stay physically active and engaged with their
surroundings. [1]
Toys need to be chosen carefully, as your ferrets
will quickly swallow any small or loose pieces.
Squeaky dog toys are not recommended as your
ferrets can easily bite and scratch through the soft
exterior and ingest the squeaker inside. [3]
Some cat toys, such as a hard plastic ball with a
bell inside are great for your ferrets. [3]
PVC pipes or commercial ferret tubes are usually a
favourite play item, along with a large ferret ball to
climb in and out of. [3]
 Health and Vaccinations
You should have all your ferrets desexed at around 6 months of age.
Unwanted pregnancies, reduced aggression and a milder scent are all
benefits of desexing your ferrets. [1]
Fig.4
Ferrets will need to be vaccinated against distemper at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of
age. Annual distemper vaccinations will then be needed throughout the life of
your ferrets. [1]

It is also important that you regularly treat your ferrets for heart and intestinal
worms as well as fleas. [1]

Ferrets can suffer with heat stress if left in the sun on a hot day. If the
temperature exceeds 30OC be sure to move your ferrets hutch away from
direct sun light. [1]

Diet
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, meaning they only eat meat. [1,2]
It is important that your ferrets diet is high in protein and contains only small
amounts of carbohydrates and fibre. [1]
Fig.5
Good quality kitten food and high protein pallet mixes are a suitable diet for
your ferrets. To help maintain good dental hygiene you can feed your ferrets
raw bones and cuts of raw chicken or turkey. [1]

Always provide your ferrets with plenty of fresh water.

Avoid feeding your ferrets: cooked bones, adult cat or dog food, fruit and
vegetables, onions or egg whites. [1]

Handling
Ferrets should be handled regularly from a young age to build a positive
relationship with the humans around them. [1]
The best way to pick up your ferrets is with two hands, one supporting under
Fig.6 their feet and the other supporting their chest. [1]
Hold your ferrets close to your chest or on your lap so they can rest their feet
and feel secure. [1]
Always handle your ferrets gently and remember to never scruff them!

REFERENCES IMAGES
[1] Ferrets 2014, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Fig.1 Ferret Wallpaper n.d, Cupegraf Wallpapers, viewed 13 June 2015,
viewed 13 June 2015, <http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/pets/other- <http://cupegraf.com/data_images/wallpapers/37/419650-ferret.jpg>
pets/ferrets> Fig. 2 Ferret Hutch n.d, Mr. Johnsons, viewed 13 June 2015,
[2] Ferret Housing n.d, The Humane Society of the United States, <http://www.mrjohnsons.co.uk/client/henry_bell/images/small/Ferrethutch.jpg?13
viewed 13 June 2015, 49852766>
<http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/ferrets/tips/ferret_housi Fig. 3 Ferret Sport Balls n.d, Pet Mountain, viewed 13 June 2015,
ng.html?credit=web_id139808899> <http://www.petmountain.com/photos/product/standard/114420S582823/ferret-
[3] McLeod, L 2015, Feeding your Ferret, Exotic Pets, viewed 13 June supplies/marshall-ferret-sport-balls.jpg>
2015, Fig. 4 No Title n.d, Small Animal Channel, viewed 13 June 2015,
<http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/ferrets/a/feedingferrets.htm> <http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/images/articles/ferret/ferret110-
140807.jpg>
Fig. 5 No Title n.d, Small Animal Channel, viewed 13 June 2015,
<http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/images/articles/ferret/ferret89-120910-
bg.jpg>
Fig. 6 Ferret Adoption 2011, The Ferret Zone, viewed 13 June 2015,
<http://theferretzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ferret-adoption.jpg>