FAQ’s

These are some FAQ’s we have had thrown together. We are not an expert nor are we a vet. So if you suspect your ferret is ill, please take it to a ferret friendly vet.

Q: What is a ferret?
A: The scientific name for a ferret is mustela putorius furo. They are closely related to the weasel, otter, and stoat. They are NOT related to the skunk like once thought. The ferret is domesticated and it is rumoured to of been domesticated for over 2,500 years.

Q: How do ferrets fare as pets?
A: Ferrets can make excellent pets and live an average of 8 years. They kind of fall in between a cat and dog as far as pets go. They are interactive and love to play but yet are perfect for a busy or relaxed life style. Because the ferret sleeps around 18 hours a day, they don’t require constant attention. They need to be let out for a good 2 to 4 hours a day for play and interaction. They do best when kept with other ferrets since they are very sociable and love to play and sleep together. The ferret also tends to be a very clean animal and usually only does its business in one spot so litter training can be done quite easily if you intend to keep your ferret in a large indoor cage. Once a ferret is neutered/spayed, they only have a very light smell. Usually they tend to smell like the bedding they sleep in which should be changed regular. If you do not neuter your ferret, then it normally will have quite a musky smell that some folks can find offensive.

Q: What do you feed your ferrets?
A: I feed mine on a variety of things. Mainly raw meat and dry ferret kibble. I keep the dry ferret kibble available for them 24/7 and feed raw meat once a day. Some of the raw meats I feed are chicken wings, lamb, minced beef, rabbit, and pheasant. Raw meat on the bone is excellent for keeping the ferrets teeth clean and can avoid a dental bill in the future. I also give them raw egg about once a week along with cat treats and melon in the summer. Do not feed chocolate or raisins.

Q: What about housing my ferret?
A: We decided to have a page just for housing ideas. Have a look at it here.

Q: Should I neuter or spay my ferret?
A: Yes, you should. The hob (male) can go into rutt and can put off an odour that can be offensive to people. He will also probably try to mate with other ferrets whether they are male or female, causing distress and could tear up their necks quite badly. A hob, once neutered, will normally calm down quite a lot and the smell will go. A jill (female) needs to be brought out of season each year. You can tell if a jill is coming into season as the vulva will swell to quite a large size. If the jill is not brought out of season then she could develop aplastic anaemia and possibly die. If left intact she could also contract pyrometria which could also be life threatening. So it is much easier to spay your jill so you will not have to worry about any of these problems.

Q: What about the health of the angora ferret?
A: The health of the angora ferret is no different than the normal European ferret. I have spoken to many angora ferret owners and breeders and they compare the health to that of the European ferret. Most American owners brag about the great health and heartiness of the angora. They are susceptible to the same illnesses the short haired ferret has and nothing more.

Q: How does the angora ferret differ from the normal ferret?
A: The angora ferret has a few physical traits that makes them stand apart from the normal ferret. A full angora ferret has no undercoat and the fur is 2 to 4 inches in length. They also have an extra fold in the nostril area and sometimes will have a tuft of hair either on or inside the nose. The nose cleft can vary from very slight to very noticable. The females also have a defect which makes it where they are unable to produce enough milk to nurse their young.

Q: Do angora ferrets require any special care or grooming?
A: No. If kept clean, you shouldn’t have any problems. I have never had to groom any of mine. And they smell no different than a standard ferret.

Q: My ferret seems ill. What do you think is wrong with it?
A: What are you doing looking on here trying to find out? Your ferret needs a vet NOW. Ferrets can go downhill very quickly and you need to seek the proper treatment by an expert.

If you have any more questions, drop us a line on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AngoraFerrets

Or send us an email at FriskyBusinessFerretry@gmail.com 1236479_10153252343775363_805133146_n