Ferrets are carnivores from the Mustelidae family. The closest wild ancestor to the ferret is the European polecat. Ferrets are intelligent, curious and cheeky characters that have grown in popularity as pets. 

The average lifespan of a ferret in captivity is 5-7 years 

Yes but they do have different sleep patterns to humans. They are generally sleep for many short periods throughout the day and night. Ferrets do sleep more at night than during the day, but they do not have what we would consider a “full night's sleep”. Ferrets love take frequent naps through the day and night. They can sleep for a total of 18-20 hours per day. Ferrets are considered crepuscular as they are most active at dusk and dawn but do not have fixed sleep schedules. 

In the wild polecats (ancestors of the domestic ferret) are solitary animals. In captivity however, ferrets enjoy company and should be housed with other ferrets. Ferrets should only be kept with other ferrets. Ideally keep small groups of ferrets together (littermates are the easiest grouping). Ensure they are all neutered to prevent reproduction and aggression. Although they are generally friendly and curious, other species can accidentally injure them due to size and play incompatibility. If you ferret lives alone it important to give them plenty of attention as they are affectionate and can form a close bond with their carers.  

Ferrets are obligate carnivores; this means they need animal protein to survive. Ferrets also require higher levels of fats than many other pets. Each of your ferrets will (on average) eat 5-7% of their bodyweight in food each day.  

Commercially produced complete ferret foods are available and will ensure your pet gets the correct nutrition for their species. Food with small chunks is easier for your ferret to eat. Most importantly the food chosen should provide 32-38% animal protein.  

Kitten food can be used to feed your ferrets, but they would also require extra fatty acid supplementation to ensure their needs were met so it’s recommended to stick with a complete ferret food instead.  

It is also possible to home cook your ferret's diet, but it is essential to plan food items and proportions to ensure a balanced diet of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals is fed. You must ensure they are getting enough animal proteins and fats to keep them healthy, and this can be difficult. It can also be difficult to ensure they receive homecooked food as often as they need it. Ferrets eat 6-8 meals per day. That can mean a lot of home cooking! To avoid the risk of nutritional imbalances a complete ferret food is recommended. 

Your ferrets will love home cooked chicken, cat treats, boiled egg as treats but remember to feed these in moderation.  

Ferrets have a high metabolic rate and a short digestive tract. This means that they need frequent feeds throughout the day. 6-8 meals are be needed each day to keep your ferrets healthy. It can be difficult to feed these separate meals so leaving commercially produced ferret food pellets to be eaten ad lib can help ensure your ferrets get their food when they need it. Timer bowls can also be used if they are sturdy enough that your ferrets will not chew them. 

To ensure your ferrets are eating enough food you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging of any commercially available foods you feed. Checking you are meeting their needs with a home cooked diet is much more difficult which is why we wouldn’t recommend it. A great place to start is body condition scoring. This allows you to assess the weight of each ferret without the need for scales.  

• If you are feeding too much your ferrets will become overweight. You can notice this by observing a more rounded abdomen and more fat covering over their chest. If you are not feeling their ribs when handling them, they are likely overweight. 
• If you are feeding too little your ferrets' will become underweight. This will result in you being able to feel (and sometimes see) their bones much more easily. 
• The ideal weight for your ferrets will mean they are active and have a thin layer of fat over their rib cage.  

Only give your ferret treats in small amounts. Suitable ferret treats include pieces of meat or commercially available treats for cats or ferrets. Ensure that you make any changes to your ferret's diet gradually. Sudden changes may upset their digestive system.  

If you are concerned about your ferret's weight or believe they are underweight always consult your vet. Do not make dramatic changes to your ferret's diet without discussing them first. 

Ferrets can struggle to digest carbohydrates. Sugar has also been potentially implicated in the development of insulinomas in ferrets. This means sugar should be avoided when feeding your ferrets. 

Foods to avoid include: 

• Vegetables 
• Fruit - Grapes/raisins are also toxic to ferrets. 
• Sugary treats - If you want to give treats use ferret-specific or meaty cat treats only. You could also offer fresh meat or pieces of boiled egg.  

Other items that should also be avoided in ferrets are: 

• Xylitol - this sugar-substitute is toxic for ferrets. 
• Dog and adult cat food - these do not contain enough protein for ferrets. 
• Chocolate - toxic to ferrets as well as being high sugar. 
• Dairy - ferrets lack the enzyme required to digest dairy products. They can also be high in sugar. 
• Cooked bones - these easily splinter and seriously damage your ferret's digestive tract. 

Ferrets are very active and need large interactive enclosures to keep them happy. They love to burrow, forage, sleep, hide, groom and play. Ferrets sleep or rest for up to 20 hours a day so they also need plenty of places for rest within their enclosure. 

This enclosure should be; 

• Well ventilated 
• Dry  
• Draught-free.  
• 15 to 21°C in temperature 
• Hazard free – avoid electrical wires and poisonous plants. Ferrets love to chew 
• Escape proof 

Ferrets also love to mark their territory. This can make their enclosure quite smelly and good hygiene is essential to ensure they do not become too odorous. Ferrets will need free access to a suitable toilet area. Litter trays often work well for this, they must be placed away from food and water stations and bedding areas.  

The enclosure should also include toys and tunnels for them to explore and play with.  

These items will keep your ferrets happy and stop them from getting bored: 

• Suitable beds. Your ferrets need at least 1 safe and secure place to sleep each within their enclosure. Hammocks, boxes and sleep sacks are all great for this. You also need to provide dust-free bedding materials so they can use them to make a nest. Hammocks can be useful, as they provide elevated sleeping areas away from food, water and toileting areas. 
• Different levels to climb and rest. Ferrets love to climb, tunnel and run about. Different levels can extend the areas they have to play and exercise in. 
• Litter tray or toileting area(s) 
• A water bottle and/or bowl 
• Toys, tunnels and pipes. These are all useful to encourage natural exploration, foraging and tunnelling behaviours.  
• A playpen (with a roof) that attaches to the main enclosure is a good idea to allow further exercise space while keeping your ferrets safely within their enclosure.  

You should clean water and food bowls at least once a day. These can be washed in the same way you wash your own bowls, although keeping them separate to household washing up is essential to avoid cross contamination. Dispose of any uneaten food at least twice a day as the high protein content will cause it to perish quickly.  

Toilet areas should also be cleaned every day. Clean up any toileting accidents outside the litter tray and wash down the area. Empty and then disinfect all litter trays. You can use an animal safe disinfectant for this. 

The main enclosure, toys, play and resting areas should be cleaned at least weekly. Remove and wash any soiled bedding. Wipe the inside of the enclosure, including the floor, bars, toys and various floor levels with a pet safe disinfectant solution. 

Ferrets do not like sudden changes in temperature. They can survive outside all year round providing the temperatures do not change suddenly. Do not be tempted to bring them inside each night and put them outside each day. This can make temperature changes more pronounced and cause health issues. 

During the winter months you should consider covering the outside of your ferrets’ enclosure with Perspex/clear plastic sheets to keep any wind and rain out. It is important to ensure you maintain good ventilation within the enclosure. Provide extra bedding materials or blankets for your ferrets to burrow into and keep warm if needed. Make sure the toileting, bedding and feeding areas remain dry. 

During freezing weather, you need to check water bowls and bottles regularly to ensure they do not become iced over. You can also use pet safe snuggle pads wrapped in a towel to keep bedding and resting areas warm. We don't recommend using hot water bottles as ferrets love to chew and these can prove hazardous. Your ferrets may like to play in the snow, but it is important to dry them off well with a towel afterwards. 

Ferrets can catch colds from humans. It is important that you protect them should you catch a cold yourself. If you suspect your ferrets have caught a cold or notice any respiratory changes it is important that you discuss these with your vet. 

Your ferrets will be best cared for at home in their normal enclosure. Ask a trusted and competent family member or friend to care for them while you are on holiday.  

If you are unable to do this and need to transport your ferrets somewhere different to be cared for ensure they are transported safely. They will need an escape proof travel container. This should contain some clean bedding from within their enclosure, this provides familiar scents and helps to reduce stress. 

Choosing to let your ferret(s) freely explore your home is called free roaming. This is an alternative to keeping them in a dedicated enclosure. Free roaming can be very difficult to achieve. It requires meticulous ferret proofing of the house and requires all household members to be informed about ferret care. Everyone within the house needs to be aware that ferrets are loose and know how to behave around them. Extreme care is also needed when opening and closing doors to ensure no ferrets escape or get trapped in inappropriate places.  

Ferret safety can be difficult to maintain. Ferrets will use drawers as a ladder to climb and will run along any surface they can reach. They are also intelligent and will move items allow them to access forbidden places.  

Some people allow free roaming only during supervised times but have a dedicated room within the house as an enclosure for most times of the day and night. This allows an alternative to outdoor enclosures while maintaining ferret safety. 

Ferrets require daily exercise. This is usually achieved within their enclosure, but they can also be trained to walk with a harness and lead.  

Ferrets are curious and very active. Some may enjoy going for walks, but you will need to spend time training them to accept a well fitted harness and lead. Once they happily use these you can very slowly being to introduce them to walks.  

It’s vital to get your ferrets vaccinated each year against canine distemper. You also need to make sure they’re happy with being picked up and handled. This allows you to remove them from any dangerous satiations that may arise. 

Make sure that before you walk your ferret(s) outside they are happy to walk on their lead and harness within their enclosure. Start with very small walks and build up gradually. Avoid walking in hot, cold or wet weather conditions. Avoid other animals as these can pose a safety risk.  If your ferret(s) appear tired pick them up and carry them home for a rest. It is also important to make sure you take poo bags on your walk so you can clean up if your ferret goes to the toilet. 

It is not recommended to allow your ferret to be loose within your garden. Ferrets can easily get lost or injured outdoors. It's best to supervise them on a lead and suitable harness, or provide a safe and secure outdoor enclosure for them to play in. Always ensure they are protected from potential hazards and predators. 
 

Health check your ferrets daily when you handle them. This will allow you to spot any issues as early as possible. Your ferrets should be alert, active, easy to handle, curious and playful. If your ferret shows signs of repeated hiding, biting or fighting, it suggests aggression in the group. If you suspect aggression within the group, check each ferret carefully for wounds, especially around the neck. Consult your vet if you find any wounds. 

Check your ferrets' nails to make sure they don't get too long, and their coat and skin are in good condition. We recommend annual health checks from your vet and annual vaccination against canine distemper (a contagious viral disease). 

Ferrets are vulnerable to many infectious diseases, and some (such as the flu) can be passed between ferrets and people. Your vet will also advise on treatment for external and internal parasites. Remember, ferrets feel pain in the same way we do and changes in their behaviour can be early signs of illness or pain. Finally, it's worth taking out pet insurance to ensure your ferrets are covered for vet treatment if needed. 

Ferrets can be extremely fun pets with big personalities! However, they have quite unique and specific needs. Being able to recognise signs of illness is important. Some things to look out for are:        

• Lack Of Appetite 
• Difficulty Breathing – coughing, wheezing, sneezing 
• Behavioural Changes – quieter, hiding, anxious 
• Weight Loss 
• Fur/coat Changes 
• Vomiting 
• Lethargy 
• Toileting changes 

If you see any of these contact your vet for advice. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference.