Post by Sherry on Aug 16, 2011 18:44:36 GMT -5
Tooth brushing:
Generally, ferrets fed raw meaty bones never need their teeth brushed. Crunching through bone and gristle does that job for them However, sometimes genetics will play a role in a ferrets dental health, and they will be subject to discolouration and tartar build up in spite of the diet.
Kibble fed, and ferrets fed commercial raw or canned will, however, need weekly brushings.
Here's a natural toothpaste that seems to be accepted better than the store bought ones:
bonemeal and fish oil, mix to a paste, use either a kitten brush, or even gauze on the finger to clean their teeth.
Caring for your ferret's fur:
Use a soft(ish) bristle brush to get the initial fur out. You can also use a rubber static brush. Follow up with a chamois cloth to remove the last of the loose fur. I try to brush every week or so during the year, and during shedding season, I brush daily with a kitten slicker brush after "plucking" loose fur.
Ear cleaning
Here's the best method I've heard to date ;D It's from Bev(crazylady)
Hi all I have used for years is warm olive oil ( warm a little in an ear dropper between your hands ) drip a few drops down into the ear and massage the ear well then wipe out the excess gunk with a little cotton wool ball ( don't delve down deep with q tips ) drip in a few more drops and massage again leave over night ( cage mates will get tongues in there and do your job for you if they can lol ) the next morning simply dampen a cotton wool ball with yet more oil and wipe again ( as deep down wax comes up over night ) the oil keeps ear skin flexable and healthy and loosens any hardened wax I clean ears every 10 days ( 7 for males as they seem to leak there brains via there ears during breeding season lol ) take care bye for now
crazy lady
Bathing
Generally, ferrets really don't need shampoo baths. It strips the oils from their fur, which in turn causes an increase in the oil production, making them oilier and stinkier. Sort of defeats the purpose.
Only time I bathe them is if they've essentially been rolling in their litter boxes, and gotten a bunch of nasties on them. Usually just soaking in water will remove it, but once in a while you will need some mild pet shampoo. Human shampoo is far too harsh.
Run the bath deep enough to be able to wash them well, but a low enough level that they can still stand on the bottom. Make the water hot enough for a bath for you. Not overly hot, but very warm. Remember- their body temperature is 102 degrees F! So water that feels slightly warm to you is going to be really cool to them. And lukewarm will be like taking an ice water bath
Nail trimming:
Some prefer to use two people- one to scruff, while the second cuts the nails. Personally, I lay them on their backs, put a few drops of oil on their tummies, and while they are busy licking it off, I trim the nails They don't even seem to notice. Nail trimming should be done on a weekly basis. This helps prevent nails getting caught in things, and possibly breaking a toe.
Generally, ferrets fed raw meaty bones never need their teeth brushed. Crunching through bone and gristle does that job for them However, sometimes genetics will play a role in a ferrets dental health, and they will be subject to discolouration and tartar build up in spite of the diet.
Kibble fed, and ferrets fed commercial raw or canned will, however, need weekly brushings.
Here's a natural toothpaste that seems to be accepted better than the store bought ones:
bonemeal and fish oil, mix to a paste, use either a kitten brush, or even gauze on the finger to clean their teeth.
Caring for your ferret's fur:
Use a soft(ish) bristle brush to get the initial fur out. You can also use a rubber static brush. Follow up with a chamois cloth to remove the last of the loose fur. I try to brush every week or so during the year, and during shedding season, I brush daily with a kitten slicker brush after "plucking" loose fur.
Ear cleaning
Here's the best method I've heard to date ;D It's from Bev(crazylady)
Hi all I have used for years is warm olive oil ( warm a little in an ear dropper between your hands ) drip a few drops down into the ear and massage the ear well then wipe out the excess gunk with a little cotton wool ball ( don't delve down deep with q tips ) drip in a few more drops and massage again leave over night ( cage mates will get tongues in there and do your job for you if they can lol ) the next morning simply dampen a cotton wool ball with yet more oil and wipe again ( as deep down wax comes up over night ) the oil keeps ear skin flexable and healthy and loosens any hardened wax I clean ears every 10 days ( 7 for males as they seem to leak there brains via there ears during breeding season lol ) take care bye for now
crazy lady
Bathing
Generally, ferrets really don't need shampoo baths. It strips the oils from their fur, which in turn causes an increase in the oil production, making them oilier and stinkier. Sort of defeats the purpose.
Only time I bathe them is if they've essentially been rolling in their litter boxes, and gotten a bunch of nasties on them. Usually just soaking in water will remove it, but once in a while you will need some mild pet shampoo. Human shampoo is far too harsh.
Run the bath deep enough to be able to wash them well, but a low enough level that they can still stand on the bottom. Make the water hot enough for a bath for you. Not overly hot, but very warm. Remember- their body temperature is 102 degrees F! So water that feels slightly warm to you is going to be really cool to them. And lukewarm will be like taking an ice water bath
Nail trimming:
Some prefer to use two people- one to scruff, while the second cuts the nails. Personally, I lay them on their backs, put a few drops of oil on their tummies, and while they are busy licking it off, I trim the nails They don't even seem to notice. Nail trimming should be done on a weekly basis. This helps prevent nails getting caught in things, and possibly breaking a toe.