| Raising baby ferrets, or kits, is an active job. It | | | | yourself included. Neutered ferrets tend to have |
| requires a solid knowledge base of ferret needs | | | | smoother coats and also smell better due to a |
| and a vigilant eye. You also want to have a plan | | | | reduction of oil production. |
| laid out for how many ferrets you plan to keep | | | | If you plan on getting your ferrets descented, |
| and their genders for behavioral purposes. | | | | you have a window of only about two weeks, |
| Baby ferrets don't differ on a wide scale from | | | | outside of which it may become quite traumatic |
| adult ferrets. There are, however, some | | | | to your ferret. This window is between six and |
| procedures that need to be done on your kits | | | | eight weeks of age. Descenting is not a |
| that won't go as well should you try them later. | | | | necessary process, but it is often done anyway. |
| Some of these will put your ferrets' lives in | | | | Most ferrets you can buy in stores have already |
| danger should you ignore them. | | | | been descented and neutered. |
| There is a series of distemper shots for baby | | | | Baby ferrets may be weaned at six weeks of |
| ferrets that is arguably one of the most | | | | age, but no sooner. Most experts recommend |
| important things you can do for them. Distemper | | | | that it's longer, but six weeks is quite common |
| is a nasty virus that is very common if your | | | | for the pet stores. |
| ferret isn't inoculated against it. It also tends to | | | | In the first year, you may want to introduce your |
| have close to a 100% fatality rate should your | | | | baby ferrets to a wide variety of foods. During |
| ferret contract it. Should you get your baby | | | | this time they are undergoing the process of |
| ferrets from a store, generally they will have the | | | | olfactory imprinting on their food. Basically, they |
| first in the series, but make sure to ask about it. | | | | eat things, and associate that smell to that food. |
| You also want to ask yourself if you're going to | | | | Once this time has passed they decide that only |
| be breeding your ferrets. If not, remember that | | | | things that smell like that are edible and it |
| the unneutered female ferret will stay in heat for | | | | becomes a problem should you need to change |
| months at a time if it doesn't couple. The release | | | | you ferrets' diet for any reason. |
| of estrogen becomes toxic in the long term and | | | | Aside from these points, you may treat your |
| may seriously harm or kill the ferret. In males, | | | | baby ferrets about like you would fragile adult |
| neutering reduces aggression and allows for a | | | | ferrets with extra energy. Best of luck and I |
| happier environment with other creatures, | | | | hope you enjoy your new ferret family. |