Tips on Ferret Care Information

Having healthy pet ferrets requires you to be knowledgeable about ferret care information. All animals require a certain amount of personal care to stay clean and healthy. It is important that your ferret care routine include proper hygiene procedures to help keep your pet comfortable and healthy. Proper ferret hygiene includes baths, nail clipping, brushing, ear cleaning and teeth brushing as well as proper cage cleaning.

Baths and Cage Cleaning

Many people tend to over bath their ferrets in an effort to reduce some of the musky smell. In reality bathing a ferret too often will have the opposite effect. Bathing dries out your ferrets' skin and when that happens the oil glands which contain the musk will work over time to lubricate the skin, thus giving your ferret a more musky smell rather than detracting from it.

Proper ferret care to eliminate the musky smell of your ferret is best served by changing your ferrets litter daily and keeping all cloth items in his cage washed regularly. Washing down his cage with warm water and allowing it to air dry once or twice a month will also help to reduce the musky smell on both your ferret and in the cage.

Baths should only be given once every two or three months and never more than once a month. When bathing your ferret it is best to use a ferret shampoo found in the ferret care section of your pet store. If no ferret shampoo is available then use a mild shampoo meant for kittens.

Toe Nail clipping

You also need to include toe nail clipping. You should use a toe nail clipper made for cats and cut just the sharp tip of your ferrets nail above the pink line. Cutting into the pink line will result in bleeding and will hurt your ferret. If an accident should occur, using corn starch or flour and pressing it against the bleeding will stop it fairly quickly.

Brushing

Brushing your ferret with a soft short bristled brush made for cats will help remove loose shed fur and keep your ferrets coat from matting. You will have to learn to brush quickly as ferrets rarely sit still for a long grooming session.

Ear cleaning

Ferrets are prone to wax build up and ear mites and need their ears cleaned regularly. The ferret care section of your pet store should include drops used in cleaning kitten's ears. Simply put a couple of drops in your ferrets' ear, massage it in and then allow your ferret to shake his head to dislodge the ear wax.

If the wax is extremely dark or has a strong smell seek medical care. This could be a sign of infection or ear mites.

Teeth Brushing

You can brush your ferrets teeth using a kitten tooth brush that fits over your finger, or simply wrap a piece of gauze around your finger and use warm water. Concentrate on the outside of the teeth and gum line.

Proper ferret care includes taking care of your pets hygiene needs. While it may take some time for your ferret to get used to have these needs met it is important to his health to keep him clean and well cared for. Having healthy pet ferrets requires you to be knowledgeable about ferret care information. All animals require a certain amount of personal care to stay clean and healthy. It is important that your ferret care routine include proper hygiene procedures to help keep your pet comfortable and healthy. Proper ferret hygiene includes baths, nail clipping, brushing, ear cleaning and teeth brushing as well as proper cage cleaning.