Ferrets

Archive for November, 2009

Latest Auctions

By admin On November 26, 2009 Comments Off

Hey, check out these auctions:

Cool, arent they?

Draco Malfoy, the Amazing Bouncing Ferret

By admin On November 26, 2009 25 Comments

A scene from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in which Malfoy is turned into a ferret and bounced around by Professor Moody.

Plush Ernst Ferret 12″

By admin On November 26, 2009 1 Comment

• 12″ Tall
• Make with “kohair” fur

Product Description
Douglas Toys makes beautiful, soft, cuddly Wildlife and Forest animals with distinctive expressions and gestures that speak quality and value unlike any other plush. We make breed-specific stuffed animals that go beyond the average teddy bear…. More >>

Plush Ernst Ferret 12″

Marshall Ferret Leisure Lounge, Blue

By admin On November 25, 2009 1 Comment

• Made of nylon
• Hand wash and flat dry

Product Description
Your ferret will love taking naps in the Marshall leisure lounge. Measuring in at 16-inchw x 22-inchl, the leisure lounge is larger than most traditional cage hammocks…. More >>

Marshall Ferret Leisure Lounge, Blue

Nutrition and What to Feed Your Ferret

By admin On November 25, 2009 Comments Off

Just like any other pets, what you feed your ferret is a very important factor in keeping it healthy. Of course, ferrets need proper hydration so drinking plenty of water everyday is important.

It is understandable that having a ferret as a pet is not very common. Therefore, there are few ferret foods available in the market. Nonetheless, a diet that is high in fat and protein is best so you can feed your ferret mice and rabbits or raw meat such as chicken, pork and beef, which are foods that are important to their growth and health. In addition, ferrets enjoy eating fruits and vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, grapes and bananas. They also enjoy sweets such as peanut butter and cereal with high sugar content but it is recommended by veterinarians to not feed ferrets these foods at all since such treats have been linked to diseases in ferrets. No two ferrets are alike so try to experiment with different kinds of meat, fruits and vegetables. Do, however, avoid feeding your ferret fish as this could cause odor problems. 

Snacks that may be edible for humans are not necessarily edible for your pet so it’s important not to feed your ferret snacks that are intended for humans since many foods may be toxic or indigestible for ferrets. Certain foods to avoid would be chocolate, coffee, tea, soda, ice cream, milk, grains, breads, nuts, and onions.

What’s important when feeding your ferret is to have variety so introduce your pet ferret to different kinds of food and snacks. You may find food and snacks that are especially made for ferrets in pet stores and even kitten food would be suitable as long as they provide the high protein and fat content that is needed by the ferret’s metabolism.  The ideal diet for a ferret should contain a minimum of 32% meat based protein, 18% fat and a maximum 3% fiber.

Marshall Ferret Hat and Sweater Set, Blue

By admin On November 25, 2009 Comments Off

• Hand wash and flat dry

Product Description
It doesn’t get much more cute than this hat and sweater set from Marshall…. More >>

Marshall Ferret Hat and Sweater Set, Blue

Learn The Trick To Teaching Your Ferret Tricks

By admin On November 24, 2009 Comments Off

“But daddy, I want a ferret”. My daughter has a lovely personality and is not one to complain or nag, yet over the course of several days; she continued, “daddy, I want a ferret”. I never really had a choice as she looked at me with those baby blues; we were headed to the pet store to buy a baby ferret (called a kit).

For the most part I’m a dog person, having had many “man’s best friends” during the course of my life, loving each one deeply. As we walked into the pet store I was thinking… “This could never be true with a ferret”. I was wrong and my daughter grew to love “Casper”, the name she chose for her white albino ferret, and he became part of our family.

What amazed me over time was their intelligence and personality, and of course boundless energy and curiosity. Ferrets, just like dogs, can be taught tricks; it simply takes time and patience. Casper has learned to come when we squeak a certain toy, but I’ve heard many ferrets can learn to…

Sit up
Turn around
Roll over
Sit on your shoulder
And even walk on a leash (that one I’d like to see).

The difference between dogs and ferrets, we discovered after much frustration was getting and maintaining their attention. Most pets have short attention spans, but ferrets always have a sense of urgency… “I have to explore… I have to explore”. Knowing that, NEVER attempt teaching your ferret tricks in an unexplored area, you’ll be banging your head in frustration.

FERRET FACT: Ferrets have highly developed hearing, especially in determining the direction and distance of a particular sound. The area between their ears and brain sends more information than the human equivalent.

While not exactly a trick, teaching your ferret to come on command, is important and should they get lost, crucial to their survival. It’s not difficult; just takes time and experimentation. Find, buy or borrow fun objects like squeaky toys, finding ones that create different noises. As you spend time with your ferret friend, squeeze one particular toy, wait awhile, then squeeze another. Eventually you’ll find one that peaks their interest. Once this is determined, half the battle is over.

Next, whenever you call his name…. “Casper” (in our instance), squeak the toy several times till he comes (if that doesn’t work, back to the drawing board). Gradually, (if desired) you can stop using your ferret’s name, simply squeezing the toy (making the noise) till they prance into the room. IMPORTANT: Be certain to give them a reward when they fulfill a task. Unlike dogs, ferrets don’t perform simply for your enjoyment.

The key to teaching your ferret any trick is patience and consistency. Training a baby ferret (called a kit) is probably an impracticable task; they are brimming with energy and their attention span very limited. Still, begin early and continue, never giving into your own frustration and always rewarding good behavior with a treat. Do this with diligence and patience and no matter which ferret trick you’ve chosen, it will be within reach.

All the Secrets of Ferrets Revealed…

By admin On November 24, 2009 Comments Off

Ferrets are fury little mammals that are like a stretched out version of a cross between a rabbit and a rat. They are highly playful and curious domesticated animals that provide great companionship for anyone. Many people do however believe that ferrets are rodents like rats and mice, but contrary to this, they are actually in the Mustelid family along with weasels, stoats and martens.

The exact origin and date of domestication of the ferret is unknown, however remains of these cute little animals have been dated back as far as 1500BC, so they are quite a mature species. Ferrets, despite their cute appearance and cheeky nature, were in fact used originally for hunting or also know as ferreting. The ferret was usually used by hunters to chase rabbits and small rodents out of their burrows, however this is now illegal in many countries, but still practiced in the United Kingdom and Australia because this method is still more successful than many of the technologies developed for the same purpose.

Ferrets are more commonly kept as pets, because of their curious and energetic playful nature, they are very similar to kittens that never grow up, which is why they are preferred by many animal lovers. The slight drawback of the ferret is that they tend to nip when they are young, intending it only in a playful manner, but it can get annoying for an owner who does not fully understand their nature. This habit can be eliminated with correct training, and generally dissipates on its own with age. Ferrets have quite a long lifespan, of around 6 to 10 years, but in some cases can live into their teens.

Diet

The diet of a ferret its a lot like that of a cat, but they tend to need more protein and fat than in typical cat food. They can be fed dried cat food, but be sure to check that the top 3 ingredients are meat based, as the ferret’s metabolism cannot properly digest proteins from grains. There is a wide variety of ferret food in pet stores around American and the United Kingdom.

Sleep and Play

Ferrets spend the vast majority of their time sleeping, usually 14-18 hours in fact, so they require a comfortable place to sleep that is also quiet and away from other pets that may disturb them. They do sleep a lot, but when they are awake they have extreme energy, so should be provided with lots of toys and activities, like running wheels, climbing towers, balls, and even fellow ferrets to play with. This will keep both the ferret and the owner entertained.

All these factors and more make the ferret an ideal pet to add to any family. They are sociable, non-aggressive, playful, cute, cheap, clean and extremely lovable. So why not add a ferret to your family tree and reap the reward of unconditional love and affection.

Ferret Babies

By admin On November 24, 2009 25 Comments

My new little ones

North States Industries Clear Choice Stairway Gate-Hardware Mount- Fits openings 30″ to 50″

By admin On November 24, 2009 3 Comments

• Offers see through panels that are easy to clean
• Extra-strong and hard to climb
• Designed to be used for both kids and pets alike
• Fits openings of 30″ to 50″ and is even taller at 31″ high
• Easily removed for quick storage

Product Description
Perfect for securing stairs and other locations. Deluxe wood gate adjusts easily to doorways 28″42″ wide. Height is 30″. Swings in, out or both ways with swing control hinge. Childproof latch with easy one hand operation. Removes easily from hardware mount when not in use…. More >>

North States Industries Clear Choice Stairway Gate-Hardware Mount- Fits openings 30″ to 50″

Kitty’s Wonderbox for Ferret-Single

By admin On November 23, 2009 3 Comments

• Will not leak, tear or shred like other disposable trays
• Fill with your current litter, scoop, refill and reuse; lasts up to 4-weeks
• Superior odor control; cleaner than a regular litter box; air filtration system controls tough cat box odor; paper’s ph helps neutralize ammonia odor
• Eliminates the need for disinfectants, makes disposal and clean up easy
• Designed just for ferrets

Product Description
Biodegradable, disposable litter box tray and liner. Made of 100-percent recycled paper…. More >>

Kitty’s Wonderbox for Ferret-Single

Adopting A Baby Ferret

By admin On November 23, 2009 Comments Off

I didn’t know when my wife asked me to take her to the mall, we’d come home with a baby ferret (called a kit). For me, I thought we’d zip in and out (a husband’s dream), maybe catch dinner and see a movie at the local multiplex, my wife had other ideas. A close friend of hers had shown her a picture of a ferret, cute, cuddly, inquisitive, and my wife decided… “I have to have one”. What’s a husband to do except follow along and break out the credit card when asked.

I did learn a bit on the fateful afternoon, and while I’m not a ferret expert, I’m hopeful my experience can help you make your own baby ferret choice an enjoyable day out with the wife (good luck guys).

FERRET FACT: The scientific name for the domesticated ferret is “Mustela furo”; they are a member of the weasel family (polecat, mink, ermine, and otter). Historical records state the first ferrets came to the USA well over 300 years ago and were used primarily for rodent control.

Step one in our journey to furry ferret land, where can you find a ferret?

Pet stores, local breeders, classified ads, humane shelters are some among the places to check, with my first choice being the humane shelters. We all need a helping hand sometimes, no different for a displaced ferret. However my wife insisted on a baby ferret, her biological clock is ticking so the pet store was our (actually her) first choice. I grimaced quietly knowing if we walked out with a little bundle of ferret joy, I’d have spent around $200 (prices vary depending on your location) on a furry ferret and his necessities.

Be certain to ask about the personality of your (or her) choice, since ferrets, just like “man’s best friend” can vary significantly with one enjoying a good snuggle and another wriggling their way to freedom whenever held. That’s not to say there are evil ferrets, just a variety of personalities.

You’ll need to consider a “litter box”, yep, comes with the territory, guys and the fact your furry ferret bundle will need to be “nip trained”. These nips aren’t meant to hurt you, but biting is part of their nature, having tough skin and used to rough play. You (and your lovely assistant with the smooth skin) might not take these nips in the spirit intended. Plan your ferret “nip training” early and often, refrain from smacking them on the nose (anger management class might help), rather answering their nip with a LOUD NOISE. There are other methods and my wife insisted I try bitter apple spray, tiring quickly from my LOUD… yells.

I’m a firm believer in positive reinforcement, and the pet store owner (I’m taking him OFF my Christmas card list) told me to never let go, even if the little bugger gives me a good nip, rather to reward him/her with praise and a treat when performances equal expectations.

I’m not a vet, and neither was the pet store owner (he was a good salesman) but I knew enough to look for apparent signs of good health; clear eyes, smooth coat and most important, that alert and inquisitive personality that has caused ferrets to be our friends since the time of the Pharaohs.

We walked out of the store with a new pet who’d (in short order) become part of our family living his life (9 to 10 years on average) in the comfort of suburbia. Now then dear, how about that movie?

Ferret Disease And Illness

By admin On November 23, 2009 Comments Off

Some people look at me like I’m crazy when I say “I love my ferret”, but I do, and they can think what they want. My little guy brings me hours of enjoyment and sunshine to my gray days. The last thing in the world I want is for him to get sick, yet it’s a fact of life and in order to offer the best care (and quality of life), you have to keep an eye on what’s going on in their ferret worlds.

FERRET CARE NOTE: If you suspect your ferret is sick, take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Do not try to treat him at home.

What I’m going to discuss below isn’t fun, I’d much rather be writing about their fun, frolicking ways, but to ensure those lovable characteristics continue, keep an eye on your ferret’s health. Like most medical problems, if you catch them early, your veterinarian will have the best chance at a successful remedy.

FERRET FACTS:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Sub-Phylum: Vertibrata
Class: Mamalia
Sub-Class: Eutheria
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Sub-Family: Mustelinae
Genus: Mustela
Species: Mustela Putorius Furo

Ferrets are susceptible to multiple diseases, and depending on their lineage, they could adrenal gland disease, pancreatic tumors, lymphosarcoma or heart disease. And here’s something I only found out recently, ferrets can catch a human cold. No one likes a cold, but with bed rest and some TLC (tender loving care) you’ll soon be good as new, not so with your ferret. Ferrets have weak immune systems and if they were to catch your cold; it could prove fatal. If you’re sick, refrain from handling your ferret till you’re better.

Ask yourself this question, “Do you like extremes of heat and cold?” No…, well neither does your ferret; they have a low tolerance to extremes of heat or cold, so keep them in an area where temperatures stay consistent. I’m sure it’s common sense that you MUST keep fresh water available at all times, the little fellas can easily become dehydrated which can lead to a score of ferret medical problems.

FERRET FACT; Ferrets do not tolerate temperatures above 85 degrees well and may become lethargic.

Recently we had some friends over and grilled some big juicy steaks. So what you say… I didn’t invite you? Sorry about that, I only mention steaks to remind you that ferrets need a high protein diet and snack pretty much constantly throughout the day. That coupled with an active (to say it mildly) digestive system, and you need to keep their food bowl food, and litter box clean and free from waste.

Do you like to give your ferret treats? Don’t worry, I’m guilty too, but do it in moderation and NEVER give them chocolate or sugary treats, keeping it to meat, grains and small bits of fruit will help them lead a disease free life. Oh… and before I forget, “milk… does a body right” does NOT apply to ferrets, they are lactose intolerant.

While we may not be able to prevent disease in our ferret friends, we can provide them a loving, safe and clean environment, ensuring a healthy, fun and frolicking life.

Latest Auctions

By admin On November 22, 2009 Comments Off

Hey, check out these auctions:

Cool, arent they?