New to ferrets and need advice!

[Deleted]

So this had all started when I went to the pet store to buy some feeder fish and some cat food lol. I went in and my eye immediately caught this one lonely ferret sitting in a cage so I went over asked to take him out and ended up spending about 3 hours there with him. Finally my girlfriend got tired of it and told me she would get him for an early birthday present! You couldn't believe how ecstatic I was! I've always wanted one since I was a kid! Anyways so we get him and a 3 level starter kit. The kit included kaytee good (crap) and some bedding as well as I bought a corner litter pan. Since I usually don't buy animals on impulse and do months of research before buying anything this was different I just fell in love with him! He is panda colored and from marshall ferrets I named him Eskimo . Anyways starting up was tough. He wouldn't use his corner litter pan and he would kick bed everywhere as well as he ate that crappy kaytee and nothing else. Now I love to feed my animals the best and I work in a pet store myself so I was reading and decided to switch him to Evo Cat/Kitten food vs marshall ferret diet because it was so overpriced and had a lot less protein content in it. So we had a bag that was going to expire August 12th so I got it for free (woo!). But that is where the problem might lye... He's been eating it for about a month now and I came home the other day after I left for 2 days (split houses between mom and dad I'm only 17) and not a lot of food seemed to be eaten? He has also had runny poops ever since I started him on it really so I might start to mix in some wellness core kitten because I read that could help. But anyways he is drinking a lot and I even gave him some Evangers canned turkey and chicken ferret food (which he loves) and he went crazy over it! He is still very playful and very bright in the eyes ( I take pre vet classes so I can usually tell when something is wrong) and is a non stop rowdy little guy! I just wonder if maybe the good has gone bad and he doesn't want to eat it? I put out a little bit last night and this morning there was a tiny dent in it as well as the evangers food. I read that if there was a blockage pumpkin could help ( I'll pick some up today at work) and maybe I will pick up some wellness core to see if maybe he's just tired of the food? Any input would be awesome guys I've read so much about them and I'm trying to get everything right! One thing I wonder is stress? Sadly I got a foreclosure notice on my house... So I've been moving everything out of my room and my girlfriend and her mom are planning to take him for a little bit until we find an apartment (even though my mom hates the ferret I'm still gonna bring him lol) but maybe it's a change in environment? Or me being gone for 2 days sometimes at a time because of work? I realize they are very sociable animals but I do work 6 days a week between both jobs. I just want him to be as happy and healthy as possible and forum advice has always helped in the past! Any input is appreciated thank you!

[raynebc]

If the ferret is still eating, drinking, urinating and defecating, then he at least doesn't have a full blockage. It might be hard to know what's going on without more observation though. If the ferret is really warm (ie. try to keep the temperature between 60 and 70 degrees if possible, and out of direct sunlight), he may become sluggish in order to exert less heat and energy, and would eat less. The ferret could definitely be stressed during a moving process, but he may be bored, or he may be depressed because he doesn't see you as much as he wants. Get him as much play time with you or your helpers as you can.

Pumpkin could be used as a laxative, but most recommend it for emergency use only because it is a plant product after all. Petroleum based laxatives are common, but such items destroy the gut flora (good bacteria) in the ferret and harms their digestion and they also usually have lots of sugar added. Tomlyn makes a natural cat laxative that has no sugar or petroleum that may be worth considering for non emergency use. Many people feed olive oil (if your ferret will take it, many seem picky about it) or raw egg yolk as a prevention of minor blockages like hairballs.

A mix of different foods is common practice for ferrets, just make sure to transition from one food to two slowly as ferrets' tummies often don't take drastic dietary changes too well. You might start out at 90% of the current kibble and 10% of the new one, and after several days or a week, slowly increase the amount of the newer kibble. People on this forum would suggest you consider switching to a raw diet, but you'll probably need to have time plenty of time to work with your ferret daily before you consider that. Until then, high quality kibble is your best bet because it's low maintenance. I use a mix of Evo, Wysong epigen 90 digestive support, Zupreem (corn free, not grain free) and Orijen cat/kitten. Those are all pretty good kibble, the Zupreem probably the least so among them. The higher the meat content in the kibble, the better (ie. Evo indicates that it is 87% meat). If the kibble doesn't list meat/plant percentages, check the ingredients list and avoid kibble where plant materials make up most of the first several listed ingredients, because vegetable matter is not digestible for ferrets and any added sugars and carbs in their diet contribute to diseases. And avoid pea products in particular, as they are linked to causing the formation of urinary stones. Zupreem grain-free has peas in it, but Zupreem corn-free does not. Evo has some pea content in it, but their company replied to me indicating that they believe the amount is small enough that it wouldn't be a cause for concern.

A popular reference is the More Dooks food chart, which rates ferret kibble based on their first half dozen ingredients:
moredooks.herobo.com/search.php?chart=ferret

[Deleted]

Thank you! While at work today I did find that we do stock the Tomlyn hairball remedy. I will go home tomorrow and try the olive oil first in hopes of that helping if something had blocked him. The other day I had noticed that one of his toys (stuffed dog he always sleeps with) had lost 2 of his legs and there was stuffing! I hope he didn't swallow any but if he did could that pose a problem? Another thing I thought about was depression. I looked it up and a lot of places had said that depressed ferrets tend to sleep a lot more so maybe that's why I'm not noticing as much food being eaten? Because he's sleeping all day! I feel absolutely terrible not being able to see him for a day or two at a time because when I get home he loves me! When we find a place he is definitley coming and I'm hoping it is closer to my work so I can go to him every night but when we get settled in maybe I'll get him a buddy I've read that they're very sociable animals so maybe when I'm away he needs a friend? And that's the thing is that atleast with me money's not really a problem when it comes to animals because I love them so much! So that's why I asked about the certain foods and I have been considering a raw diet for him. At work we sell "instinct raw bites" now a 7lb bag is 52.99$ but I feel like that may be able to last him a month? It's frozen food but it basically is raw meat but it's formulated for dogs? I wonder if that's ok. Any input on that is appreciated greatly. As well as if you think having a buddy for him would make things better or atleast help them. Also could they be housed in the same cage ? Thank you for all your help!

[raynebc]

Some ferrets eat cloth, so definitely try to see if you can find the missing legs/stuffing from the toy. If he swallowed some, it may not come out on its own and you may need to consider administering the laxative. You may also want to have his droppings monitored to make sure they keep on coming, and if somebody is willing, even dissect them to see if anything strange like the stuffing ends up getting passed through. When using laxative, this is how you will be able to tell if non digestible material has been eliminated.

The natural Tomlyn has some non-sugar sweeteners in it, I think there's a good chance your little guy may take to it more easily than olive oil, which seems to be more of an acquired taste for ferrets. With either, ferrets often have to be introduced to the taste of new things by scruffing them and using your finger to gently rub some of it on his gums or lips. It's amazing how fast they can go from hating something to loving it once they've had a taste.

There are several threads on the forum talking about "commercial raw" food, ie. frozen ground diets with meat, organ and bone. You'll want to check them out carefully, because there are some things to be aware of, ie. canine raw diets often don't have Taurine added. Feline raw diets typically do because like ferrets, cats need Taurine, and the feline raw diets otherwise are more in line with a ferret's dietary needs. For the long term, buying fresh meat (with the bone) and organs and balancing the diet yourself is less expensive, but takes more effort, time and fridge/freezer space. Commercial raw would cost more but give you less to worry about, but you'd still want to give them something to clean their teeth (raw chicken wings and necks are popular).

About whether to get a companion for your ferret, there's a thread that popped up today on the subject:
holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/15781/lone-multiple-ferrets
If you do get another ferret, it's possible that integrating them could be a slow process, and it's not guaranteed to succeed. You might consider adopting the second one from a ferret shelter. I hear they are willing to help select a good match for your existing ferret, and if they just can't get along, you may be able to bring it back and try another one.

[Deleted]

Ok I'm going in today so I will pick up some of the laxative and were all out of the wellness core kitten so I may pick up the wellness core adult cat, they both have the same amount of protein just the whitefish and herring meal are placed lower on the chart vs the kitten food. Will that be ok? Or should I wait for an order of kitten food to come in? I just want him eating better soon! As for the shelter I have been trying to find one in the delaware/Maryland area with no luck most of the websites are down so I will begin calling around to some of the shelters we sponsor to check and see if they have any or if they know of anyone. I appreciate your help so much any more info you have is great! Im thinking about Honeslty ordering ferrets for dummys!

[Sherry]

First congrats on the little one!
Okay. Sounds like he was majorly stressed over you being gone. I hate to ask, but you didn't by any chance just leave him alone in the cage while you were gone for the two days? Because these little ones really are not meant to be cage animals. They need a bare minimum of 4 hours out daily. The longer the better of course.

[kraesmom]

Protein is just part of the equation...fat content is also very important. That's why kitten and "all stages" foods are generally recommended over adult varieties.

As far as commercial raw...try to stick with ones formulated for cats - not dogs (cats AND dogs varieties are usually okay). The dog versions have more veggies, which ferrets can't digest. For freeze dried, I use Stella and Chewy's or Primal. Frozen, I get Primal, Bravo, or Natures Variety. I know Sherry advocates staying away from the rabbit blends because they are sourced from China.

[Sherry]

Just the Nature's Variety rabbit.

[Deleted]

As far as I know my sister came home and took him out for a couple of hours. Sadly sometimes I am gone for a day but the next day I go home and keep him out from about 5 to around midnight while I'm upstairs he plays with the cats and will run around then we'll go downstairs ( I live in the basement) and he'll run around there until I see him tire out, usually he'll go to his cage eat some and get in his hammock then I'll close the door and go to bed! So yes sometimes he is alone for a day or two at a time. With moving I'm hoping we will move closer to my dads and I can go there every night to be with him. I love the little guy to death and I've always wanted one since a kid so I want to do the best for him. In your opinion would he slow down eating because maybe he's depressed and sleeping more? Also I'm at work now and we actually just got in some natures variety raw frozen rabbit and turkey feline! I'm in lluck I guess! Should I take that home to him and see if I could use that as a snack? Unfortunately I don't think I could feed it as a basic food because I'm not home everyday so I feel as if the food would go bad. So would it be something to introduce and feed once in a while? Also should I get the wellness core adult or wait until tomorrow and get the kitten? I work until 5 so I have plenty of time to get your guys decisions back! I Honestly love forums everyone on here is always so helpful and encouraging and rarely is anyone mean because we all care for our animals and want them healthy as possible! Thank you again I can't say it enough!

Edit- I just checked the adult wellness core and it has a 38% protein content and two crude fat contents of 12% and 14%. It seems the site above is out of date, the herring meal and white fish meal has been taken out. Now it's just deboned chicken chicken meal and peas.... Maybe I'll buy a bag of the instict dry kibble? Advice?

[Deleted]

Congratulat1ons on Ferrenthood and Esk1mo.
Ferrets can be compl1cated l1ttle fellows, and they are super smart. Happ1ly, you have the Forum now, and we all love to help and have tons of comb1ned ferret exper1ence.

F1rst, the tr1angle l1tter box 1s not very popular w1th ferrets. They prefer a b1gger box, and even though, 1t takes up more space, 1ts more l1kely to be used. M1ne are free roam and we use puppy pads, wh1ch 1s another opt1on.

Second: 1'm not that fam1l1ar w1th k1bbles, but usually k1bble feed1ng ferrents w1ll m1x two k1bbles together. 1f a product 1s d1scont1nued or changed, the other k1bble 1s st1ll palatable to a f1n1cky ferret. Here on the forum, most of us are raw feeders, and 1f you are 1nterested 1n go1ng raw, after 15 posts, you can s1gn up for a Mentor. Mentors help walk you thru a sw1tch and prov1de help and gu1dance. 1f you plan on stay1ng w1th k1bble, the MoreDooks chart can help you f1nd some better qual1ty k1bble cho1ces. Raynebc prov1ded you w1th the L1nk. Keep 1n m1nd that Ferrets are closer to cats than dogs. They need a l1ttle more Taur1ne and Fat, than cats. Dog foods have gra1ns, fru1ts and vegg1es 1n them and a ferret's l1ttle body 1sn't setup to process those. K1bble has to 1nclude some vegetable matter to help hold 1ts shape, but try to stay away from anyth1ng w1th Peas. There has been alot of conversat1on about peas lead1ng to cyst1ne/k1dney stones.

Next, you sa1d Esk1mo 1s sleep1ng alot. the l1ttle guy doesn't have much else to do. Ferrets don't generally play w1th toys, they play w1th each other. 1 understand money 1s t1ght, but honestly, the best th1ng for h1m (g1ven your busy work schedule and the amount of t1me, he spends alone) would be to f1nd a fr1end for h1m. Maybe you could look around or put out some feelers and f1nd a rescue, who wouldn't be as expens1ve as a pet store ferret can be. Put out a couple of calls to local vets and local shelters, l1ke several others have suggested.

Last but not least, ferrets w1ll turn the1r no1ses up at good food and then happ1ly chew someth1ng rubbery or foamy and blockages can be very common. 1f Esk1mo 1s bored and lonely, 1ts even more l1kely that he w1ll chew stuff1ng and tear apart h1s stuff1es, just for someth1ng to do.

Ferrets for Dumm1es 1s a good book for new ferrents, don't be shy about buy1ng one. Most of us, have a copy.

We all only want what's best for you and Esk1mo. Don't hes1tate to ask quest1ons and no quest1on 1s too s1lly.

All my best
Poncesmom

[Deleted]

Thank you poncesmom! And yes I see myself getting him a friend in the near future, at the moment money is not an issue with me really I work 2 jobs and have a decent income just after I pay my car bills and phone bills I have a good amount to usually spend seeing as I get paid every 2 weeks. I also work in a pet store so discounts seem pretty good to me! I'm checking out the Natures Variety Instinct Rawboost Turkey formula the LID (limited ingredient diet) seeing as it has a higher meat content and less vegetables and fruits in it. I decided to not buy wellness because they changed their ingredients from the site I was provided to some lower quality crap... Also peas appeared on the list and I want to stay away from that!

Like I said above we just started stocking frozen "raw bites" feline in the rabbit and turkey formulas, I'm going to stay away from rabbit counting as sherry above said they are sourced from china... I prefer US for all my animals so I may begin to give him some RAW every once in a while? Would that be ok as like a couple times a month thing? Or would he become to accustom to it and stick his nose up at his kibble? I'm also thinking I may have to purchase that book! I love learning about my animals because it helps me give them the best quality life I can provide and hopefully when i move and get settled a new ferret buddy will be in the works!

[unclejoe]

Watch out for peas. Too much can lead to cysteine bladder stones.

Think about the life of a pet store animal. Tiny cage, little interaction with people, no toys, etc. The pet store ferrets probably sleep 22 hrs a day because they have nothing else to do but eat, especially when they are the last one there. More interaction should perk him up.

[Deleted]

FDR (freeze dr1ed raw) 1s another opt1on. 1t's expens1ve but you w1ll get most of the benef1ts of raw feed1ng. Unless you f1nd a hol1st1c pet store, FDR 1s usually found onl1ne. Some good products are Stella and Chewy's, they have several flavors l1ke Tummy t1ckl1n Turkey and Duck,Duck,Goose.
Whole L1fe offers qu1te a var1ety and Natures 1nst1nct raw boost b1tes have several flavors. Wysong Archtypal 1 1s also FDR.

1 fed FDR, wh1le 1 learned about the Frankenprey menu. Follow1ng those gu1del1nes, 1 made sure to offer at least three d1fferent prote1ns and used FDR organs l1ke dr1ed hearts, beef lung and even dr1ed L1ver. For more 1nfo on the Frankenprey menu, look under the Natural D1et sect1on. Also Sherry prov1ded you w1th a L1nk.

For teeth clean1ng, you could offer ch1cken g1zzard or even put a couple of ch1cken w1ngs 1n Esk1mo's cage at n1ght. S1nce you are feed1ng k1bble, 1ts not a good 1dea to m1x k1bble and raw. That can lead to a bacter1al overgrowth. You could str1p the w1ngs of the1r meat and smash the bone, a l1ttle. That also m1ght prov1de some st1mulat1on for h1m. 1f you offer g1zzards, take the k1bble away for a few hours f1rst.

[raynebc]

One thing I should bring up is that Tomlyn makes multiple laxatives, they're not all the "natural" (ie. no petroleum) kind. If your store has that kind, it would definitely be the better one to get. If not, you can get it on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/ProduCounts-CountM06217-Laxatone-Natural-4-25-Ounce/dp/B002Y03F7Y).

If you can bribe your sister to play with the ferret on the days you can't be there, that would definitely be a good option.

If nobody is available to play with the ferret on a daily basis, is it an option for you to ferret proof a small room and allow him to live outside of a cage? Then you can leave him with plenty of toys and bedding, as well as have ample room for food/water bowls. This would allow him to have more fun during his alone waking hours, and have room to wander around and explore. If you go this route, you have to be absolutely sure it is ferret proof and that he's not left alone with other animals in the room as they could end up hurting each other if nobody's there to keep an eye on them. I use two of the 11-panel playpen fences linked together over a heavy duty tarp and a large area rug. This protects the floor in the room and gives them soft ground to lay, walk or run on, and their litter box is on an uncovered area of the tarp, making it easy to clean up. Some ferrets learn how to escape a playpen, but you can watch them for a while to make sure they don't try to do so. You'd also want to make sure there aren't any tall objects close to the edge that they could jump from.

Transitioning to raw food may take some time.  Also, as poncesmom mentioned, it's recommended to remove their dry kibble for a couple of hours before and after feeding raw. This avoids digestive problems where the kibble causes the raw food to stay in their system for longer than it normally would, which could allow bacteria to have enough time to reproduce.

The Wellness Core sounds to be rather on the low side as far as fat content. Even if you mixed it half and half with the Evo, the mix's fat content would be less than 20%, which is the minimum desired amount. If they don't carry other suitable kibbles, you could also explore your options purchasing online. Freeze dried raw was mentioned and is also a good option. You supposedly can even leave it mixed in with dry kibble for transitioning without problems.

[Deleted]

Well at the moment I can't being as I'm moving but the new place were looking at has a HUGE walk in closet that I had already thought about turning into his room and I'll have to check the Tomlyln and see what it is but I'm deciding to go with the Natures Variety instinct Rawboost turkey. It has a protein content of 42% and a fat content of 18% I beleive it said. I'm going to begin mixing these slowly like you suggested but ever since I've had him he hasn't had any good solid poops. They've sorta been like a light brown mush pile? I gave him a large cat box and he loves it the only thing is he won't use any other litter than cat litter.... So I buy the one for kittens it's non scented and no clumping and instead of it being a fine Clay powder it's like large chips of Clay so there's no way for him to get it up his nose. I've tried everything from walnut shell litter to yesterday's news to swheat scoop and worlds best as well as marshall brand! He always just pooped outside the box! One day he went to my car box went right in did his business and left.. So I'm guessing we'll stick with that litter for now unless I can find a better substitue.