| You have made the decision to add a new ferret | | | | Providing an adequate cage for your new ferret |
| as a pet for your family. What now? How do you | | | | with provision for their comfortable sleep is |
| care for your new ferret? | | | | important. They need someplace to burrow, so |
| First be prepared to have your heart stolen by | | | | provide them with a sleep sack, ferret hammock, |
| the little guy. They are cute, curious and energetic. | | | | or some old towels and clothes to bury |
| Playful is the first word that comes to mind. The | | | | themselves in. The cage should be equipped with |
| ferret is now the third most popular un-caged | | | | a litter box, food and water bowls as well as |
| animal in North America after dogs and cats. | | | | proper bedding for a variety of temperatures. |
| They are a lot of fun but loads of time, money | | | | Your new ferret needs to spend at least two |
| and love need to be invested in your fuzzy friend. | | | | hours a day outside of his cage socializing. It is |
| Take some advice from me. Read everything | | | | extremely important that you ferret-proof the |
| you can get your hands on about ferrets and | | | | room(s) he will have access to. Your pet's natural |
| their care. There is so much to learn! You owe it | | | | curiosity can get him into a lot of trouble if the |
| to yourself and your new friend to take proper | | | | room is not properly prepared for his visit. |
| care of him. | | | | Your new ferret can be trained to use a litter box |
| Ferrets have a life expectancy of from 6-8 years | | | | like a cat. Unfortunately, although this varies from |
| although well cared for pets can last up to 12 | | | | ferret to ferret, they are not likely to be 100% |
| years or longer. They are not large animals as a | | | | trained. You need to factor occasional cleanups |
| fully grown male weighs in at about 2 1/2 pounds | | | | into your plans. |
| and grows to about 16 inches, and a female at 1 | | | | Talk with the breeder or pet store owner about a |
| 1/2 pounds and 12 inches in length. They come in | | | | suitable diet for your new ferret. It is important |
| a variety of coat colors and patterns: shades of | | | | to know what brand of food he has been fed as |
| brown, gray and black with the mask, feet and | | | | changing brands is a lengthy process. Feed your |
| tail typically darkest in color. | | | | new friend the best food you can afford. Always |
| Ferrets are very outgoing and playful. They | | | | provide clean and fresh water for him. |
| particularly love playing in pairs or groups. They | | | | Get the name and phone number of a good |
| play hard and sleep hard. Ferrets are most active | | | | veterinarian who understands the needs of |
| just before sunrise and just after sunset. In | | | | ferrets. You will need to continue his regimen of |
| between they sleep on the order of 15-20 hours | | | | vaccinations and annual checkups. |
| per day. They awaken about every four hours to | | | | Congratulations on bringing home a new ferret. |
| each, use the litter box and briefly play. Their high | | | | Your life will never be the same. Following these |
| metabolism causes them to shake and shiver for | | | | guidelines and educating yourself about your fuzzy |
| about 20 minutes after they awake. Do not be | | | | friend will make your experience of being owned |
| alarmed, this is the natural way of increasing their | | | | by a ferret a rich one. |
| body temperature. | | | | |