Thanks for your very thorough reply, though I have some points for you to consider. Both ferrets and cats are obligate carnivores, so really, their nutritional needs are quite similar. There is no research out that that states high end cat foods are bad. I agree, that a grain free/ veggie free kibble is best for ferrets, and they require a food high in protein. There are many cat foods that meet this criteria and are fine for ferrets. (NV, Wellnes, Orijen, Blue Wilderness)
I definitely think most ferrets do well with a buddy. Wesley was a single ferret before I had him, and for the first few months that I owned him. I wasn't always able to play with him because of homework, etc so I got him a buddy (Bandit). They were able to play together and keep eachother company and were definitely happier. Males and females can definitely live together, it's really about the individual personality of the ferret that determines how they get along.
Most traditional cat litters aren't safe for ferrets. The dust can cause respiratory issues and clumping litters may cause a cement effect on a damp nose or bottom. That's why I recommend pelleted litters only.
I know many people who use wood pellets with no issues. (Owners and rescues alike) I had no problems when I used them, but I have since switched to paper pellet litter.
It's a custom made set from Little Feet Ferret Bedding. Rose does excellent work. Pricy, but worth it. You can also just used old Tshirts and fleece blankets.
do you recommend getting 2 ferrets from the beginning or is it okay to get one and wait till ypuve bonded with it to add the other. i heard that getting 2 often means they are less into people. i would like to spend alot of time with my ferret. what do you think
I know this is a late response but you should get 2. Even if you spend a lot of time with them, when you are not with them they will get bored or depressed if they have know one to socialize with.
I think propylene glycol is actually okay for ferrets, if you were in the hospital and needed an iv drip, the medication you get might be diluted with it. so I mean since it can go directly into our veins, it should be okay for them
Sorry! My handhs are so shaky sometimes...I wish a had a tripod but usually have to set the camera on a chair instead. Hm, perhaps a version 2.0 is in order?
Heh, I see you got Ferrets for Dummies, I found a PDF of it recently and intend to read that. I also found Training Your Pet Ferret: 2nd Edition by Gerry Bucsis, I'll let ya know if it s any good if ya want? Thanks for sharing this. I noticed you recommended canned pumpkin? as far as I know ferrets aren't allowed fruits. Oh and there are dried ferret food products that are good for their teeth so you don't need to brush them.
Ferrets do smell, they have a musky type of order, it’s normal but their smell isn’t horribly strong as long as you clean their cage and/or litter boxes daily.
no puns intended as long as you spend at least 4 hours a day with them out of their cage, playing with them and cuddling, etc. then it’s fine to get one ferret. But if you can’t invest at least 4 hours a day of your time for your pet then maybe you shouldn’t get a ferret.
Maybe something like that, but he doesn't take the food out of the bowl. He'll eat right out of the bowl as long as it's under the blankets or just outside of the blankets. Thus far the only food I've seen him "stash" are his treats until he is sure he is "alone", and then he eats them.
When you first buy a ferret, be expecting to spend around $400-$500. You also need to bring them to a small animal veterinarian for yearly vaccinations which can cost a lot over the years. Owning a ferret is an expensive, long term commitment but is well worth it!
One of the foods in the video is a cat food (Natures Variety Instinct Duck). The other is 8in1 Ultimate Crunchy. I current feed them Wysong Ferret Epigen 90, Natures Variety Instinct Duck, and Wellness Core. Cat foods are okay to feed as long as they have at least 35% protein, 20% fat, and less than 3% fiber. At least 4 of the first 6 ingredients should be meat (this criteria also goes for ferret foods)
I'll add it to my list of requests. I haven't been doing videos because my camera was stolen/lost over Thanksgiving and I haven't had the money to replace it. I am on the Ferret(dot)com Forum though, so you can get ideas there too!
Hey! I love your ferret videos and I've got a couple of questions for you. First of all I have a little girl ferret, about 5 months old now (she has been fixed) and I was wondering if you think ferrets do better when there is more than just one of them. Secondly if I did get another ferret I wanted to get a boy (fixed as well of course) so as long as they are both fixed they should be able to live together well right?? Just thought I would get your opinion!
I will as soon as I can! Finals week for school is coming up, but after that I will have lots of free time! Just have to find my camera, I think someone in the house borrowed it, ugh
um actually my brother is planning to get one and they will share a cage then my best friend is hoping to get one for Christmas so everytime I go to her place I will bring my ferret and everytime she comes to my house she will bring hers.
I've noticed my Loki likes to tip his food bowl. I've noticed, however, when I line his cage with sweaters and things he can burrow in, he pulls the bowl under the sweaters and doesn't tip it anymore. I think because he prefers his food to be in his "tunnel" as a natural instinct? Kind of like protecting his food from other predators (Even though there are none in our house. XD) Maybe give that a try and see if it helps?
I stand corrected. I was always advised against cat food for ferrets, whether because of their diet needs or because of their metabolism. I will amend my advice for the future, thanks.
Hi Joshua! You're right, it probably would have helped to listen with the sound on. I describe each item I have in detail :) I would recommend getting most of what I showed in the video, though I only feed the Nature's Variety Instinct now. Other good brands are Wysong Digestive Support, Orijen, Wellness Core, and Go! Fit and Free. I no longer feed the treats in the video either, instead I use freeze dried treats. You can check out my website FerretEdu.weebly (dot) com for more info about ferret supplies
I got the cage used on Craigslist. You can buy them new at Ferret (dot) com. I bought the Odor Eliminator candles from my local pet store, you can find them on Amazon (dot)com.
+Noah C For me 3 is the perfect number. I started out with 1 ferret, but got a second 2 months later. I usually recommend 2 just because it's so fun to watch them play together
Usually from my work. It's a brand called Fresh News paper pellet litter. I either get that or Exquisitcat paper pellets from Petsmart. Yesterdays News is good too.
+Cheyenne It's just a regular folder like what you would buy in the office supply section of Walmart etc. I keep vet records, health certificates, and notes in it for when I take my guys to the vet's office.
I would say they are generally pretty healthy, they don't often get the flu. But they can be susceptible to hairballs when shedding, and unfortunately diseases such as adrenal disease, insulinoma, and lymphoma are very prevalent in ferrets
They just have their own scent I guess you can say. You know, like how a dog smells like a dog, and a cat smells like a cat? Ferrets do have a ferrety smell, but it is not strong. It shouldn't be overpowering. Keep the cage clean, wash bedding weekly, DON'T over bathe (only a few times a year), and feed a good diet (balanced raw or quality kibble).
One of the reasons why my parents don't want me to get one is because of the over powering smell. Like when going to the pet store. I do agree with them that the ones at the pet store are kind of stinky. Is there any other way to reduce the smell to almost nothing unless you smell their fur? (Thank you for the reply btw, very helpful)
A ferret should not stink, if a ferret stinks then it means its being fed the wrong diet or bathed to much. The ferrets at a pet store are fed the completely wrong diet (Marshalls) which makes ferrets stink because of the corn! People think ferret stink so they need a bath, ferrets only need a bath 1-2 times a year otherwise if they are bathed to often it will strip them from there natural oils and they will reak! If there litter tray is cleaned daily then the smell shouldn't be to bad. They can be castrated which is supposed to help with the smell but there is a higher chance they might get Adrenal Disease. They can also have there smell glands removed, but it wont help much as they have smell glands in the face which can not be removed. But ferret's should NOT stink just have a light musky smell, if they are given a high protein food and looked after healthwise then there smell shouldn't be a massive problem. 😊
Ferrets can live on their own! In fact, the smaller the group, the better. They aren't like rats or other rodents for example, who usually live in large groups.
Your voice is so soothing for some reason... Very informative video with lots of helpful tips
Your actually wrong. Cats are also obligate carnivores. A high quality cat food would be fine for ferrets
Hi Nice to meet you, actually you’re wrong. kibble can dehydrate them as they naturally get their water from their meat and not body’s of water
Thanks for your very thorough reply, though I have some points for you to consider. Both ferrets and cats are obligate carnivores, so really, their nutritional needs are quite similar. There is no research out that that states high end cat foods are bad.
I agree, that a grain free/ veggie free kibble is best for ferrets, and they require a food high in protein. There are many cat foods that meet this criteria and are fine for ferrets. (NV, Wellnes, Orijen, Blue Wilderness)
I'm getting a ferret in about 6 months and I'm doing a bunch of research currently. This really helps so thank you!
I definitely think most ferrets do well with a buddy. Wesley was a single ferret before I had him, and for the first few months that I owned him. I wasn't always able to play with him because of homework, etc so I got him a buddy (Bandit). They were able to play together and keep eachother company and were definitely happier. Males and females can definitely live together, it's really about the individual personality of the ferret that determines how they get along.
Most traditional cat litters aren't safe for ferrets. The dust can cause respiratory issues and clumping litters may cause a cement effect on a damp nose or bottom.
That's why I recommend pelleted litters only.
I have yesterdays news cat litter but I haven’t used it for them yet does that work
I love the work you put into owning your ferrets :)
I know many people who use wood pellets with no issues. (Owners and rescues alike) I had no problems when I used them, but I have since switched to paper pellet litter.
That ending was so fast and out of nowhere I thought Thanos used the Infinity Gauntlet mid video.
I got them at my local WalMart. Some stores only carry them seasonally. Now I get them at a store that sells woodstoves. Check Lowes and Home Depot.
It's a custom made set from Little Feet Ferret Bedding. Rose does excellent work. Pricy, but worth it.
You can also just used old Tshirts and fleece blankets.
She also does just hammocks, beds, etc. You can buy individual pieces which is nice!
when my dad was little he had a ferret his ferret look just like your ferret Bandit and his ferret was named Bandit too
THANKS YOU. IM GETTING A FERRET FOR CHRISTMAS
How's the ferret now
Your videos are so thorough and amazing!
do you recommend getting 2 ferrets from the beginning or is it okay to get one and wait till ypuve bonded with it to add the other. i heard that getting 2 often means they are less into people. i would like to spend alot of time with my ferret. what do you think
Ye do you get one or two at the beginning
I know this is a late response but you should get 2. Even if you spend a lot of time with them, when you are not with them they will get bored or depressed if they have know one to socialize with.
The Zoologist i am also a late responder, i recommend getting 2 together as well.
I think propylene glycol is actually okay for ferrets, if you were in the hospital and needed an iv drip, the medication you get might be diluted with it. so I mean since it can go directly into our veins, it should be okay for them
I got it at my local pet store. I believe Petco carries it as well.
If you don't mind buying online Ferret.com has it too
Can ferrets have bedding mine has it in his cage now also he uses his corner pan and do a q&a
+Noah C I would get 2 so they would have a playmate when u are not around
I didn't buy everything all at once, but it's around $400 (new) for cage, bedding, litter, food, and the misc supplies in the vid.
Sorry! My handhs are so shaky sometimes...I wish a had a tripod but usually have to set the camera on a chair instead. Hm, perhaps a version 2.0 is in order?
This was the most helpful video I have found to date, thank you!
Her voice is so relaxing
Thanks for showing this video I just got a ferret today and I was wondering if u could make one about walking a ferret plz thanks
Heh, I see you got Ferrets for Dummies, I found a PDF of it recently and intend to read that. I also found Training Your Pet Ferret: 2nd Edition by Gerry Bucsis, I'll let ya know if it s any good if ya want? Thanks for sharing this.
I noticed you recommended canned pumpkin? as far as I know ferrets aren't allowed fruits.
Oh and there are dried ferret food products that are good for their teeth so you don't need to brush them.
*****
Google it
You are so smart! This is such a cute video! Post a daily/morning routine please!
When you have ferrets in the house,do they smell bad?
+Thunder Paws
Not if you take care of them properly- like cleaning the cage daily and feeding a healthy diet.
+whiskandbowl
Ok
Ferrets do smell, they have a musky type of order, it’s normal but their smell isn’t horribly strong as long as you clean their cage and/or litter boxes daily.
how much do they cost#''
Cooly 2 $170 in usa
For a ferret by itself atleast $100 at a pet store
150 in some places
This video was very helpful! I'm thinking of getting a ferret if my mom and dad say yes. So I needed to know what to do and how to take care of them😊
+Alyssa 3784
I'm glad it was helpful to you! Good luck!
I was almost recovered and thankfully, ferrets cannot catch colds from humans, only the flu.
"Leslie get out of my shirt" xD
but u can’t lite candles or any chemical substance in a room with ferrets
I’m hopefully getting a ferret soon! I can only get 1 sadly even tho it’s better to have none then 1 but it’s going to be free range in a room
no puns intended as long as you spend at least 4 hours a day with them out of their cage, playing with them and cuddling, etc. then it’s fine to get one ferret. But if you can’t invest at least 4 hours a day of your time for your pet then maybe you shouldn’t get a ferret.
Maybe something like that, but he doesn't take the food out of the bowl. He'll eat right out of the bowl as long as it's under the blankets or just outside of the blankets. Thus far the only food I've seen him "stash" are his treats until he is sure he is "alone", and then he eats them.
7:07 " they are not used to getting their brush teeth" Lol
When you first buy a ferret, be expecting to spend around $400-$500. You also need to bring them to a small animal veterinarian for yearly vaccinations which can cost a lot over the years. Owning a ferret is an expensive, long term commitment but is well worth it!
One of the foods in the video is a cat food (Natures Variety Instinct Duck). The other is 8in1 Ultimate Crunchy. I current feed them Wysong Ferret Epigen 90, Natures Variety Instinct Duck, and Wellness Core.
Cat foods are okay to feed as long as they have at least 35% protein, 20% fat, and less than 3% fiber. At least 4 of the first 6 ingredients should be meat (this criteria also goes for ferret foods)
what are the signs and symptoms of a sick ferret
I suggest buying ferrets for dummies, there is a whole section on health.
I'll add it to my list of requests. I haven't been doing videos because my camera was stolen/lost over Thanksgiving and I haven't had the money to replace it. I am on the Ferret(dot)com Forum though, so you can get ideas there too!
I got it at a local pet store, but you can order them on Amazon.com
getting my first ferret in about 3 weeks and im sooo excited!. ps. love the "ferrets for dummies" book
Where can you find wood stove pellets?? Home Depot
Hey! I love your ferret videos and I've got a couple of questions for you. First of all I have a little girl ferret, about 5 months old now (she has been fixed) and I was wondering if you think ferrets do better when there is more than just one of them. Secondly if I did get another ferret I wanted to get a boy (fixed as well of course) so as long as they are both fixed they should be able to live together well right?? Just thought I would get your opinion!
I will as soon as I can! Finals week for school is coming up, but after that I will have lots of free time! Just have to find my camera, I think someone in the house borrowed it, ugh
um actually my brother is planning to get one and they will share a cage then my best friend is hoping to get one for Christmas so everytime I go to her place I will bring my ferret and everytime she comes to my house she will bring hers.
Yes, definitely! I love your videos and actually put into practice some of the tricks;) Keep them coming!
Mine all live in the same cage together.
how much would all the supply's be
Sounds like he is stashing his food. Much like a dog burying a bone to save it for later :-)
and where did you get the ferret lax and the ferret RX?? p.s iv only had my ferret for a cupple months.
On An Estimate, How Much Will All Of This Cost.?
Can i give my ferret olive oil? an is it safe for them an what ways can it be use for them
for me it cost $326 on Amazon, but if you buy everything at different places, it may be cheaper.
This video was very helpful! Thank you! I just got a baby ferret his name is pebbles and he's deaf
I've noticed my Loki likes to tip his food bowl. I've noticed, however, when I line his cage with sweaters and things he can burrow in, he pulls the bowl under the sweaters and doesn't tip it anymore. I think because he prefers his food to be in his "tunnel" as a natural instinct? Kind of like protecting his food from other predators (Even though there are none in our house. XD) Maybe give that a try and see if it helps?
This was very helpful because I have 4 ferrets
my dad just said i will never get a ferret
You have such a sweet voice (;
How often do I need to bring my ferrets to the vet? I cant get anyone else to answer me!!!!!
BewareOfTheScares as often as you think they need.
For me, I take them to get their first shots. Then I take them every 6 months for a check up.
I stand corrected. I was always advised against cat food for ferrets, whether because of their diet needs or because of their metabolism. I will amend my advice for the future, thanks.
Where do you get your wood stove pelets from?
I had volume off so forgive me if I ask any stupid questions but on the floor in the video what stuff is required and what do you recommend to get???
Hi Joshua! You're right, it probably would have helped to listen with the sound on. I describe each item I have in detail :)
I would recommend getting most of what I showed in the video, though I only feed the Nature's Variety Instinct now. Other good brands are Wysong Digestive Support, Orijen, Wellness Core, and Go! Fit and Free.
I no longer feed the treats in the video either, instead I use freeze dried treats.
You can check out my website FerretEdu.weebly (dot) com for more info about ferret supplies
I got the cage used on Craigslist. You can buy them new at Ferret (dot) com.
I bought the Odor Eliminator candles from my local pet store, you can find them on Amazon (dot)com.
Ok thanks this video is very helpful I love your ferrets and your videos :)
OOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhh. Ok, good to know! By the way, what brand of wood pellets do you use?
would u like any tips on owning a ferret? I have one myself.
good video i like your ferrets i have some of my own and they are great companions
Thank you, I spent around $400 when I finally got my ferret, so this comment really helped. (:
Um how many ferrets would you recamend getting
+Noah C
For me 3 is the perfect number. I started out with 1 ferret, but got a second 2 months later. I usually recommend 2 just because it's so fun to watch them play together
"theyre not used to getting their brush teethed" :P
Do they ever use rocks and sand their own claws like rats?
Where do you buy your Ferret litter and what brand?
Usually from my work. It's a brand called Fresh News paper pellet litter. I either get that or Exquisitcat paper pellets from Petsmart. Yesterdays News is good too.
whiskandbowl Thanks!
Eucalyptus oil works and is cheaper then the ferret rx
Ferrets are mustelids, and are carnivores. Not even closely related to rodents at all.
They are highly social, so having at least a pair is ideal.
What cage is that?
Double Ferret Nation
Thanks!
In the blue folder what all do you have in it and where did you get it?
+Cheyenne
It's just a regular folder like what you would buy in the office supply section of Walmart etc. I keep vet records, health certificates, and notes in it for when I take my guys to the vet's office.
Thanks
How often do ferrets get sick?
I would say they are generally pretty healthy, they don't often get the flu. But they can be susceptible to hairballs when shedding, and unfortunately diseases such as adrenal disease, insulinoma, and lymphoma are very prevalent in ferrets
Thanks for all that info
7:05 they're brush teethed. lol
Wait are they supposed to drink from a bowl or a water bottle.IM SO CONFUSED!
Also I have the same cage as you.
I have both available, but I much prefer bowls. Bottles can leak or cause dental wear.
oh ok thanks
Q-tips technically aren't good for ears. All they do is push wax in further.
That is true if you are putting the qtip inside the ear. I only clean the parts of the ear I can see. No going into the ear canal
do you have 3 ferrets??????!!!!!😕✌
So do the ferrets stink or is it its litter box and cage?
They just have their own scent I guess you can say. You know, like how a dog smells like a dog, and a cat smells like a cat? Ferrets do have a ferrety smell, but it is not strong. It shouldn't be overpowering.
Keep the cage clean, wash bedding weekly, DON'T over bathe (only a few times a year), and feed a good diet (balanced raw or quality kibble).
One of the reasons why my parents don't want me to get one is because of the over powering smell. Like when going to the pet store. I do agree with them that the ones at the pet store are kind of stinky. Is there any other way to reduce the smell to almost nothing unless you smell their fur? (Thank you for the reply btw, very helpful)
A ferret should not stink, if a ferret stinks then it means its being fed the wrong diet or bathed to much. The ferrets at a pet store are fed the completely wrong diet (Marshalls) which makes ferrets stink because of the corn! People think ferret stink so they need a bath, ferrets only need a bath 1-2 times a year otherwise if they are bathed to often it will strip them from there natural oils and they will reak!
If there litter tray is cleaned daily then the smell shouldn't be to bad. They can be castrated which is supposed to help with the smell but there is a higher chance they might get Adrenal Disease. They can also have there smell glands removed, but it wont help much as they have smell glands in the face which can not be removed. But ferret's should NOT stink just have a light musky smell, if they are given a high protein food and looked after healthwise then there smell shouldn't be a massive problem. 😊
Wow. Thank you so much!! This was a big help!
No problem! 😊
I just adopted a little boy a couple hours ago
Congrats!
Thank you
do you get the ferrets for dummies book off ebay or something? :\
+Rosie Thomson
I got it at Ollies but i'm sure you could find it on Ebay or Amazon as well
ok thanks! ;)
We have that EXACT same carrier! Except the bottom is black not blue :)
Ferrets can live on their own! In fact, the smaller the group, the better.
They aren't like rats or other rodents for example, who usually live in large groups.
This video is so helpful!
i just loveyour videos!!!
Whoops, sorry I meant to reply to "Nikki B", sorry for the confusion!
I have that same exact carrier
It does! I suppose you could use a fine nibbed curry if you wanted.
Omg! Thankyou soooo much!!(((: and feel better soon!
Count how many times she says "um"
+InsertInterestingName
Probably a lot teehee
+whiskandbowl what type of tooth paste should you use?
Oxyfresh Pet gel and CET are brands I hear mentioned a lot.
Honestly the best way is to use raw bones- chicken wings and similar.
+whiskandbowl Oh ok thanks
that glove thing looks like a curry comb for horses... 0.o
Where do u get the book?
There are multiple places but my favorite is amazon.com they will have it if they don't go to ebay.
I
The video is really good and you explain a lot, but the movement made me dizzy so i couldnt finish it.... :(
Ooookay. Guess I (and the many other ferret people I've talked to) know nothing! Geez