| Have you ever seen a baby ferret? When they | | | | feeding baby ferrets, soak the dry food in water |
| are first born, they have no hair and their eyes | | | | for at least 5 minutes to ensure that they can |
| are tightly closed. They are just about the cutest | | | | chew it. |
| things you could ever see, but it's not until they | | | | Whatever you decide to feed your baby ferret, |
| are about 6 weeks old that you will be able to | | | | make sure to check the label for at least 20% |
| separate them from their mothers and bring your | | | | fat and 35% protein. Also high quality fats such as |
| new "kit" home. They will need extra care from | | | | chicken fat contain the essential amino acids that |
| you at this stage, so it is important to know what | | | | are so critical for your baby's development. Good |
| you will need to do before the adoption time. | | | | clean water is just as important as good food. |
| The mother is very protective of her babies | | | | Make sure your baby has a fresh supply of clean |
| when they are small. It is especially important that | | | | water at all times and they will love you for it. |
| you not handle the babies when they are first | | | | Before you baby comes home, you need to do |
| born. Ferrets may be little, but they can have a | | | | your homework and find a suitable "home" for |
| nasty temper if provoked and, believe me, you | | | | your little one. It is best to purchase a cage that |
| do not want to be the recipient of the wrath of | | | | is designed specifically for ferrets. These take into |
| an angry ferret mama. She will wean them when | | | | account your baby's tiny little feet and makes |
| she sees fit, and then you can handle them all | | | | sure they can't squeeze through any openings. |
| you want. | | | | They didn't come up with the term "ferret your |
| Most litters range from six to eight babies at a | | | | way out of something" for no reason. Ferret |
| time. Much like human babies, they spend their | | | | cages are usually quite large to give your growing |
| first weeks of infancy just eating, sleeping and | | | | baby lots of room to zoom, zoom, zoom and still |
| starting to grow. Once they reach about 3 | | | | be safe. |
| weeks, their hair starts to grow in and then their | | | | Make sure your baby has some special places to |
| eyes pop open. That is really a sight to see. Cute, | | | | curl up for long naps. After zooming around, |
| cute, cute. | | | | sleeping is your ferret's next favorite activity. |
| Then at six weeks they are ready for adoption, | | | | Check his bedding often to see if he might be |
| and this is when you will really need to be ready. | | | | gnawing on his bed. They love to chew and this |
| They need to see a vet at about seven weeks | | | | can cause some unpleasant problems if they |
| for their first shots and you might want to | | | | chew up the wrong things. Just keep a close eye |
| discuss spaying/neutering and de-scenting with | | | | on him, especially when you let them out of the |
| your vet at that time. Also ask him or her if they | | | | cage for a romp. |
| have a preferred diet for the baby ferrets. Also | | | | This will be a special bonding time for you and |
| ask your breeder what food the babies were | | | | your new baby. He or she will repay you for all of |
| given, and decide if you want to feed them | | | | your love and attention with many years of |
| something different. If you do, you will want to | | | | adorable and hilarious antics. Whatever your |
| slowly introduce the new food over a period of | | | | efforts, the love they give back will be more than |
| time to ward off any indigestion. Also, when | | | | worth it. Enjoy your new baby! |