by edwick

Ferret FAQ: 20 Questions and Answers Every Ferret Owner Would Like to Know

Whoever said that there are no stupid questions must be a smart man.  As a new ferret owner (or if you’re still planning to purchase one), it is good to know that there are also other people asking the very questions you have in mind right now. So, stop asking about the why’s and the how’s and start reading below.

1. What are ferrets?

A ferret is “a mammal, small in size, with an average weight of 1-5 pounds. They were believed to be domesticated over 2000 years ago, with an average lifespan of 5-9 years. “1

2. Do they make good pets?

Yes. They are one of the most popular pets in the US next to dogs and cats. They are curious, intelligent and cuddly 2.

3. Is owning them legal?

Yes. However, in some other places, ferret owners are required to have licenses or permits. States, counties, and municipalities outlaw or restrict ferrets for a variety of reasons which are pretty much invalid. 3

4. What should I feed my pet?

Look for a ferret food that is a “minimum of 32% protein and 18% fat, and a maximum of 3% fiber. The first ingredient should be a high quality meat and the other ingredients should not include too many grains.”4

5. How often should I feed my ferret?

Ferrets have a very fast metabolism and need to eat every after few hours to keep their bodies properly fueled. Do not feed your pet just once or twice a day, as you would a dog or cat. 5

6. Are treats good for my ferret?

Be careful in giving too much treats. Feeding your pet too many or the wrong kind of treats can be detrimental to their health. 6

7. Will my ferret use a litter box?

Yes. Train your ferret to use a litter box so it will know where exactly it should do its business.

8. What cages are appropriate?

When it comes to cages, the bigger, the better. No to wire floors, yes to mats.  7

9. What kind of bedding should I use?

Recommended is cloth bedding. Some choose paper-based bedding, wood pellet type, straw but please, never cedar shavings. 8

10. Is nipping normal?

Yes especially when they’re still kits. However, you can train your ferret not to nip or bite.

11. How can I stop them from digging my carpet or plants?

Just like nipping, it’s a natural behavior. But you can stop this by using plastic runner materials or provide an appropriate place for them to dig. 9

12. How can I make my house ferret-friendly?

Make sure that there aren’t holes in the walls. Block it up immediately if you find one. Use recliners, fold-out beds and rockers with caution. 10

13.  What toys will my ferret like?

They will play with almost anything. Just make sure that they are durable and safe. 11

14. Why do they smell?

“The distinctive ferret odor comes from musk glands in the skin and from hormonal activities. The best way to reduce the odor is to spray or neuter your pet.” 12

15. Do they get along with other animals?

With dogs and cats, yes. With birds, no.

16. Can I teach them tricks?

Of course! Ferrets are intelligent and highly trainable animals. Patience is the key.

17. What are these noises they’re making?

They call it dooking. It is the clucking sound they make when they’re having fun.

18. Do I need to worry about any diseases?

Yes. Watch out for symptoms. If the conditions persist after giving fluids, consult the vet. 13

19. Why does my ferret keep on scratching?

Ferrets scratch all the time but check for fleas, shampoo irritations, allergies and poor diet. 14

20. How do I find a lost ferret?

Check your house, backyard, bushes and garage thoroughly. Ask your neighbors. Post pictures of your pet wherever possible or put up an ad in a local newspaper. 15

SOURCES:

1-2          http://www.totallyferret.com/index.php?q=totally-ferret/ferret-faq

3              http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/part1.html#what_are

4-5          http://www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Feeding.htm

6              http://www.ehow.com/how_4930157_choose-appropriate-treats-ferret.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

7 http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=LQ2zeR5TI4YC&pg=PA19&lpg=PA19&dq=ferret+cages&source=bl&ots=fVf6zgbodK&sig=1nW2EdOIyLAC_SWLCeT6LB098bk&hl=en&ei=bagBSqsHh5WQBcrmlJkP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6

8              http://www.firstferret.com/site/article/cage-floor-bedding/

9              http://www.ferretnews.com/issues/modern-ferret-news-38.html

10           http://www.all-about-ferrets.com/ferret-proofing.html

11           http://exoticpets.about.com/od/ferretcare/tp/tpferrettoys.htm

12           http://www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Odor.htm

13           http://ezinearticles.com/?Ferret-Diseases-and-Illness&id=188586

14           http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=11+2074&aid=552

15           http://www.weaselwords.com/page/ferret_art039.php

Our two cattle dog mixes eating a meal they have enjoyed for years. The oldest type of dog food: raw meaty bones raw chicken backs…… obviously the black and white one is a little dominant of the red one.

Question by shawna rose: how do I find a toy my dog really likes?
She’s a guiding eye dog in pre-training, so i need a toy that she LOVES for training. She kind of likes her tug toy and her nylabone and Kongs, but she doesn’t play with anything else. i need a toy that will get her really excited. Any tips on how to find the perfect toy?

Best answer:

Answer by Michael J
Get him something he can chew on lol.

Give your answer to this question below!

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video. Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from uTubegangsters and more videos in the General Dogs category. You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at www.howcast.com or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at www.howcast.com No one wants to leave Fido behind when they head out. With a little planning, you can make your next trip a great one for you and your four-legged friend. To complete this How-To you will need: Your dog‘s vaccination records A dog collar Identification tags A dog crate or restraining harness A sturdy leash Plastic bags Two bowls Dog food Masking tape Step 1: Update your dog’s vaccinations and get a copy of the records. They are important if your dog is boarded or requires emergency care during the trip. Step 2: Get your dog a well-fitting collar that includes an identification tag with your contact information. Tip: If the phone number on your dog’s tags isn’t one where you can be reached, use masking tape to add a temporary contact number. Step 3: Get a properly labeled, airline-approved crate for your dog if you’ll be flying. Ask the airline what papers you need to bring. Step 4: Determine where your dog should ride in the car. In a crate is the safest place, but a restraining harness with seat belt attachment will also work. Tip: Don’t let your dog ride with his head out the car window or in the bed of a truck. Injuries can …

by Suitov

How to Teach a Dog Tricks

Dog owners always feel pride when they have a dog that can perform tricks. They can show the tricks to friends and family and feel a sense of accomplishment for being able to train their dog. As well, teaching a dog to do tricks can also help the dog and owner bond more. This is why it is important to know how to train a dog tricks…and it is not as hard as you think.

Click for Dog Obedience Training to Solve Dog Behavior Problems

The Treats
One of the most important parts of training a dog tricks is treats. By giving them treats when they perform the trick, you are rewarding their behavior and positive reinforcement works much better than negative reinforcement – according to studies. Be sure to give less and less treats as they learn the trick though, so they will obey without food.

Training The Dog
1. The most important thing is repetition. If you are teaching your dog to sit, then you need to be consistent so that they will understand what they are supposed to do through the process of learned behavior.

2. The other important part of how to train a dog tricks is to keep going through the process every day. Training on a regular basis will stay with the dog and ensure that they learn the trick quicker.

3. Clickers can be your best friend when training a dog. Dogs process information heavily by their ears, and by using a clicker you can take advantage of that. The clicker should be your main tool in teaching the dog a new trick.

4. Always use verbal and even physical commands (pushing the dog’s behind down when you want them to sit). Dogs associate well with words and hand motions for actions, so this will make the process easier.

Remember, do not use negative reinforcement when you are training a dog. It is important when you are learning how to train a dog tricks that you use positive reinforcement.

Click for Dog Obedience Training to Solve Dog Behavior Problems

This video shows some of the tricks I have been working on recently with Kiko and Splash. Some of the more interesting ones are, teaching Splash to look left and look right, teaching her how to skip, and how to shuffle backwards in a bow. Kiko started offering a tap dancing behavior which I captured, as well as scratching with her back feet. I also taught Kiko to go between Splashes legs as I saw a Boston Terrier do in the movie Hotel for Dogs, and thought it would be very cute to teach. Splash however, looks stressed as you can see, when kiko works too closely around her, because Kiko usually will boss Splash around if she is too close to her. All these tricks were taught using clicker training and no forms of positive punishment (meaning me saying No! or eh eh! Wrong! Or any physical manipulation)
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Find More Dog Tricks Articles