Ferret Care Sheet

Ferret Facts and Characteristics

Ferrets are quirky and playful and downright adorable—but are ferrets good pets? Yes!

As intelligent and social animals, ferrets can make great family pets. With time and patience, pet parents can teach their ferrets to roll over, fetch, and perform other simple tricks. 

Ferrets are not rodents— they are members of the mustelid family, along with weasels, badgers, and otters. They come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Ferrets are usually nocturnal or crepuscular (most active around sunrise and sunset). Although ferrets are known to be highly active while awake, they also need a lot of rest. Generally, ferrets will sleep for at least 14 to 16 hours a day. 

Most domesticated ferrets are “de-scented” shortly after birth, meaning their anal glands are removed surgically to reduce their odor. De-scented ferrets will retain a natural, musky scent that bathing will never remove.

It’s illegal to keep ferrets as pets in some areas of the United States. Be sure to check your local laws regarding ferret ownership. 

Ferret Characteristics 

Ferret Supply Checklist

To keep a ferret happy and healthy, pet parents should have these basic supplies on hand: 

• Appropriately sized habitat 

• High-quality ferret food 

• High-protein/low carbohydrate ferret treats 

• Bedding 

• Untippable food bowl/water bottle 

• Hideaway place 

• Ferret-safe toys 

• Hammock 

• Litter pan/litter 

• Indoor playpen 

• Harness and leash 

• Soft brush/comb 

• Nail clippers 

• Ferret-safe shampoo 

Ferret Habitat and Enrichment

A single adult ferret should be housed in a wire-based enclosure that’s at least 24” L x 24” W x 36” H. The spaces between the cage’s bars should be 1 inch apart or smaller to prevent the ferret from escaping or getting stuck.

Look for a habitat with ramps, shelves, and multiple levels to climb and perch on, and always provide the largest habitat possible. 

Habitats should be well-ventilated, escape-proof, and lined with solid flooring to prevent pressure sores from forming on the ferret’s feet.

Glass and plastic habitats are not recommended, as their solid walls block air circulation. 

Ferrets are comfortable in average household temperatures, no greater than 80 F. These pets are sensitive to extreme temperature changes, so habitats should be kept in a draft-free area that’s not close to an air conditioner or in direct sunlight.

Make sure the habitat is kept off the floor and is not accessible to other animals, like curious cats and dogs. 

Bedding 

Place 1–2 inches of high-quality, paper-based bedding (like absorbent shredded or pelleted paper material) in the habitat.

Paper-based bedding is preferred over wood bedding, like cedar shavings, because paper is digestible and will not obstruct a ferret’s gastrointestinal tract if ingested. Cedar bedding products also contain oils that can irritate a ferret’s respiratory tract and cause illness. 

Litter Box

Ferrets can be trained to use a litter box, but the litter material must be different than the ferret’s usual bedding. A ferret-safe, paper-based or pelleted litter product for small animals is recommended. 

Avoid scented and clumping litter, and do not use sand or silica-based cat litter. Ferrets love digging their noses into their litter box, and both materials can cause trauma to their sensitive nasal passages and respiratory systems. 

Decor and Accessories 

Hammocks

Adding a hammock to a ferret’s enclosure creates a comfortable and fun place for them to hang out and rest. 

Hideout Boxes

Provide each ferret in a habitat with at least one hideout box for privacy. 

Ideally, hideout boxes should be made from hard-to chew, yet easy-to clean, materials such as hard plastic. 

Plastic hideouts should be removed from a ferret’s enclosure if the animal begins to chew on them. The broken plastic pieces can obstruct a ferret’s gastrointestinal tract if ingested and cause serious injuries. 

Toys

Ferrets love to play! Offer your ferret an assortment of enrichment toys to reduce boredom and encourage physical exercise. 

Ferrets particularly enjoy tubes and tunnels to run though. 

Toys should not have small pieces or rubber parts that a ferret can chew on and ingest. 

Habitat Mates 

Ferrets are highly social creatures that can be kept in pairs or small groups if they are raised together or introduced to each other gradually.

Ferrets that have not been spayed or neutered should not be housed together, as they will breed.  

If more than one ferret is housed in the same habitat, they must be introduced to each other properly. Introductions should be done slowly, in neutral territory, and under close supervision to ensure the ferrets are compatible.

If two ferrets fight, separate them. Never keep different species of animals in the same habitat. 

Ferret Cleaning and Maintenance

Spot-clean your ferret’s bedding daily, removing any soiled material and uneaten food.

The entire habitat and its contents should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week (or more often if multiple ferrets are housed in the same enclosure). 

To clean a ferret’s habitat, take these steps: 

1. Move the ferret to a pet-safe temporary enclosure and remove any old bedding or litter from the habitat. 

2. Use a small animal habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution to wash the habitat and any accessories. The bleach solution should stay on the habitat for at least 10 minutes to ensure that the surfaces are properly disinfected. If using a commercial habitat cleaner, follow the manufacturer's instructions. 

3. Rinse the habitat and accessories thoroughly with water, making sure to remove any trace amounts or residual smells of the cleaning agent or bleach solution. 

4. Allow the habitat and its contents to dry completely before placing new bedding and clean accessories into the enclosure. 

5. Return the ferret to the clean habitat. 

Ferret Diet

Ferret Food

Like cats, ferrets are obligate carnivores that need a diet high in animal protein. Feed your ferrets a high-quality pelleted diet designed for ferrets and small amounts of lean, cooked meat. Domesticated ferrets should not be offered raw meat.  

High-protein, low-carb treats can be offered on occasion.   

Water

Fresh, clean water should be changed daily and offered in a shallow bowl or chew-resistant water bottle.

Regularly clean and thoroughly rinse your ferret’s water bowl or bottle to prevent bacteria from forming. 

Water bottles should be checked regularly for clogs or leaks. Make sure that bowls are tip-resistant and sturdy enough to not be knocked over by an excited ferret. 

Ferret Feeding Guidelines 

Healthy adult ferrets should be fed twice a day. Ferrets with constant access to food and little physical/mental stimulation will eat all day out of boredom, which can lead to unwanted weight gain. 

Moisten all food given to ferrets under 16 weeks of age to ensure they stay hydrated and easily consume their meals. 

Food no longer needs to be moistened once a ferret has grown all their adult teeth, provided that the animal is drinking enough water. Adult ferret teeth erupt between 7–11 weeks of age on average.

Do not allow ferrets to consume chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol, as they are all toxic and can cause death or serious illness. 

Sugar and high-fat treats (including raisins and other dried fruits, nuts, and seeds) should also be avoided because they can cause digestive upset. 

Ferret Grooming and Care

Ferret Handling

Pet ferrets need daily handling, playtime, and exercise outside their enclosed habitat. Ferrets must always be closely supervised when outside of their habitats.

Pet parents should only allow their ferrets to access “ferret-proofed” spaces that are free from wires, cables, and other objects they can chew.

Ferrets also have an instinctive need to dig and forage. Keep houseplants out of their ferret’s reach and ensure that no plants kept in the house are toxic.

Shedding

Ferrets shed fur twice a year, in the spring and the fall.

During shedding cycles, ferrets are more likely to develop hairballs, which can lead to life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction if left untreated.

To minimize hairballs, pet parents should brush their ferret’s fur daily using a fine-toothed comb or soft-bristled brush. A hairball laxative, such as the Marshall Lax® for the Prevention of Hairballs in Ferrets, can be used along with daily brushing to keep hairballs from forming. 

Bathing

Ferrets groom themselves and will only need to be bathed once a month. Pet parents can bathe their pet ferret using water and ferret-safe shampoo.

Do not bathe a ferret more often than monthly, as frequent baths can cause skin dryness and irritation. Bathing will not remove a ferret’s natural, musky smell. 

Ear Care

Use a cotton ball and ferret-safe ear cleaning solution to remove waxy debris from a ferret’s outer ears. 

Nail Care

Most ferrets need a nail trim every two to three weeks.

To prevent injury, nails should be trimmed by a veterinarian or someone trained to trim a ferret’s nails. If bleeding occurs, use a styptic powder to stop the bleeding quickly. 

Dental Care

Teach your ferrets to accept daily teeth-brushing at a young age by using a small finger toothbrush and meat-flavored toothpaste formulated for ferrets or cats. 

Ferret Veterinary Care

Ferrets should be examined by a veterinarian once annually when young and twice annually as seniors (after about 5 years of age).

They can be transported in a cat carrier, just be sure to bring pictures of their enclosure, food, and bedding packaging. It is also best to bring a fresh fecal sample with you to the annual appointment.

Signs of a Healthy Ferret

• Clean, clear, bright eyes

• Clean ears

• Clean nostrils

• Intact, long, relaxed whiskers

• Trimmed, intact nails

• Lean, flexible body with a smooth, shiny, intact hair coat

• Clean urogenital region

• Bright, inquisitive personality

• Good appetite

• Clean, intact teeth

When To Call a Vet

• Eyes that are cloudy or have discharge

• Debris or discharge in ears

• Nasal discharge

• Excessively broken whiskers or whiskers held constantly close and bunched to the cheeks

• Broken nails

• Hair loss

• Urine or fecal staining or diarrhea

• Lethargy

• Loss or lack of appetite

• Broken teeth

Common Illnesses in Ferrets

• GI (gastrointestinal) obstruction

• Adrenal disease

• Pancreatic tumors

• Congestive heart failure

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Lymphoma

• Enlarged spleen

• Parasites

• Trauma