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Post by muncharoo223 on Apr 20, 2011 15:07:45 GMT -5
Hey there fellow ferret owners! I am a first time ferret owner. I found my little guy on craigslist free to good home. He came with a superpet 3 level cage, a bag of Marshells food, shampoo, bi odor for his water, a hammock, and a can of ferret bites. He stunk and was scared but I brought him home gave him a bath, trimmed his nails because they needed it badly. He is albino.  I think he might be deaf or hard of hearing. When he gets excited and dooking he makes this weird noise almost like a small cat hiss. At first I though he was mad but he will come over to me and keep playing... Does anyone know what that could be? I'm sorry if that's a stupid question but like I said I'm new at this lol. Since I didn't have room in my room for the cage he came in I modified my hedgehog cage and put him in the bottom half of that. Don't worry they can't get to eachother, the cages are separated but it's all one unit if that makes sense. Ill post pics when i get home. So as a newbie to ferrets I'd like to know if anyone has any "tips and tricks" to help with my caring for him? Maybe if you give me and idea of what your care and maitnence entails? I have been doing my research  it's just that there is so much info ou there I figured it would be easier to jump on a forum and talk with other ferret owners. Thanks |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 15:23:48 GMT -5
Welcome! Glad your little buddy has found you The hissing sound is just ferret talk. Mine do it all the time, when happy/mad/irritated/for no reason sometimes. There are no stupid questions here, ask to your hearts content! Well, tips and tricks, there are SOO many of them! I'll post a couple off the top of my head. 1) Diet - are you feeding kibble? If so, which brand? Here is a great chart of all the best kibbles out there. moredooks.herobo.com/search.php?chart=ferretIf you are feeding kibble, you should have At least 2-3 different brands to help give variety and to avoid imprinting problems. Ferrets will imprint on a particular food and refuse to eat anything else (this usually happens around 6 months). Avoid sugar, sweets, fruit, veggies, rubber. If you're interested in feeding a raw diet, we have a mentoring program to help you switch and answer any questions about that. A raw diet is the best thing for them and you will really see a dramatic different. They smell less, teeth are so healthy, silky soft coat, more enegry, and overall better quality of life I'd also recommend picking up some oil and pumpkin (PLAIN canned pumpkin, not pie filling no sugar). These are ust haves for any owner. Pumpkin helps move things through the bowels and can be a life saver in the case of a blockage or hairball. The oil is great for the skin and coat and also helps lub up the bowls. 2) Ferret proofing. This is a biggie. Make sure ANYTHING rubber/foam/small toys are away from the ferret. They WILL get to them and eat them and possibly get a blockage. Block off any small holes/openings/cabinets. They can get into spaces about 1/2 in around. If they head can fit, the rest will. You might want to get a restricted area that is safe so you can keep your sanity.  3) Enrichment - Ferrets are EXTREMELY curious and need stimulation. Or else they'll get bored and eat things they shouldn't/destroy everything/get fat. The best toy for a ferret is another ferret  Raising an only ferret is tricky and there is a whole thread on it holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=714) Vet expenses - Start saving NOW. Vet bills will come up and they will be pricey. You also want to look into a vet now before an emergency comes up. Do you have a ER vet clinic around that sees ferrets after hours? These are questions that will arise - better to answer them now. Also consider the need for vaccinations. Rabies and canine distemper are the ones that a ferret can get. Law usually requires the rabies vaccine (though I don't bother with it  ). Canine distemper is a very dangerous virus and is easily transmitted. However, there are a lot of risks involved with vaccinating, including reactions leading to deaths. (If you have any other questions about vaccines/etc) you can start another thread dedicated it because there is a lot of info about it and a lot of different opinions on the matter. Hmm, that's all for now Welcome and I look forward to seeing you around. Also, we need pics of your baby! That is a requirement - ferret pics  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 15:25:36 GMT -5
Ah, I just saw the pic! He's adorable!
Another tip about the collar - be careful about him getting stuck on something. They can choke and that would not be a good situation.
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Post by fearless on Apr 20, 2011 15:31:23 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!
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Post by yawcon on Apr 20, 2011 15:52:58 GMT -5
AWWWWWWW SO cute! You'll be a great ferret mama! First off ferrets a EXTREMELY curious try having 24 hour guard (or when ferrets are out) Always check to make sure that the little ones head isn't stuck ANYWHERE. For example: Refrigerator, cabinet, Doors and anything else. FUN & GAMES Ferrets could have fun with a plastic bag (supervise & I've also heard to cut of the handles but not sure) or a five star cat teaser. It really doesn't matter whatever makes you and the ferrets happy is considered five stars in my book. You may also do dig boxes which are FABULOUS! You can put things such as rice (uncooked), packaging peanuts, Easter eggs, plastic balls. Also to make a ferrets heaven just tape a bunch of boxes together. Lastly you can get a tunnel (my ferrets favorite) you can order one off ferret.com (like I did) Or go to a local hardware store and let them cut a laundry thing (not so sure about this correct me if wrong). www.ferret.com/item/marshall-ferret-super-thru-way-tunnel/650727/GROOMING Ferrets will need to have their toenails clipped make sure you don't cut the quick (easily seen as a red line) It is a vein and blood will go everywhere. NOT GOOD  Also ferrets will need to have their ears cleaned make sure not to go too far their eardrums are close by! Finally brushing the ferrets teeth I DON'T KNOW if everyone does this I recently just starting do it. Get your ferrets a Dog toothpaste/ Enzymatic toothpaste such as chicken flavor or whichever tickles you're fancy! Also check out ferret.com is you haven't yet it is a GREAT site and cheap prices. There is also a forum on there so you might learn a little something from there as well. Here are some links www.petco.com/product/100218/Petrodex-Enzymatic-Toothpaste-for-Dogs.aspxOh and here is a link for a bit more about the dig box answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080803100741AAPXW6LOh I almost forgot you can give them some Vaseline well at least I think you can just a little bit once a week. It serves as a hairball fix! Once again good luck on the fuzz but I hope you stay around the forum I would love to hear more about Sneakers Hope I helped! |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 16:17:38 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! The site is full of information, and the most important things are stuck to the top, such as in diet and health & wellness. Many very experienced ferret owners here, and they're all willing to help.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 17:22:49 GMT -5
Welcome! Sneakers is beautiful. He might be deaf, you can usually figure out if he is. One thing that works pretty well is to hold him, then hold some keys behind his head where he can't see them, sort of sneak them up behind him, then jingle them. A ferret will usually turn and look to see what the noise is. Make sure you jingle them when he CAN'T see them, or he might just look at them because they are moving. You can also try snapping your fingers behind him and see if he responds. Other things my hearing ferret goes crazy over are squeaky toys, and playing a Youtube video of a ferret dooking on my laptop. Another test that you may or may not want to try is the "vacuum test". This involves placing the ferret near the vacuum, and then when they aren't watching you, turning it on. If the ferret can hear, they will usually be startled by the noise and either run away, or at least flinch or something. Deaf ferrets often make unusual or inappropriate noises when playing. But not always. My male ferret Fenton is deaf. He is a great pet. He is profoundly deaf but doesn't make noises. Being deaf doesn't slow him down at all. He's a champion wrestler and cuddler  Good luck with your new buddy! I'm sure he will be great! |
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Post by Sherry on Apr 20, 2011 18:13:16 GMT -5
Hi, and welcome! What's your little guy's name? My albino is Vincent. He hears fine. The deafies are Lucrezia and Willow, both DEW's(dark eyed whites). One other thing it doesn't seem anyone has mentioned- minimal bathing. Plain water is fine, but shampoo dries out their skin, and triggers an overproduction of oils, causing an INCREASED odour. Also- pick yourself up a copy of Ferrets for Dummies, 2nd edition. Call it a "ferret bible" ;D I think others have covered the immediate pertinent info, so I'll just say please feel free to browse, post, ask questions, and join in the conversations! Everyone here is really friendly, and love to hear about your little one's antics Read through as many of the stickies as you can- there is a TON of info there |
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Post by muncharoo223 on Apr 22, 2011 20:28:51 GMT -5
Wow you guys are quick to reply Just to let you guys know Sneakers (which is his name btw) is eating marshells ferret food (he came with a brand new bag of it). I dont want to switch him to an all raw diet but i would like to supplement a little bit, maybe with mice or something, the idea of feeding raw kinda creeps me out a little bit. I do have hedgehogs who eat a mix of 3 or 4 high quality cat foods, which i was wondering if I could also feed the ferret? I saw EVO has a ferret food that claims to be grain free and made with 3lbs of chicken for a 4lbs bag of food, would this be a good option? Someone voiced concern about his collar, Its a stretchy kitten collar and he only wears it when he is running around and playing in my room so i can have an idea of where he is playing. |
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Post by Heather on Apr 22, 2011 21:02:45 GMT -5
Hi and welcome on board. Please prowl around, read....read some more. There is tons of information here. Everyone's friendly so don't be afraid to ask questions. Sneaker is adorable. My "bino boy is Odin. He hears and sees fine. As Sherry has mentioned it's the DEW's that we have problems with. My Lady "B", Fun-Go and Natasha are all deaf and all DEWs. You may want to take a prowl through the nutritional section that should answer some of your nutritional questions and if it doesn't ask away I hope that I will be seeing both of you around ciao |
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Post by Sherry on Apr 22, 2011 22:11:41 GMT -5
Now I will admit, my albino DOES have very selective hearing- same as the other ferrets ;D
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2011 6:11:23 GMT -5
Hi and welcome - cute fuzzy!!! Definitely get "Ferrets for Dummies, 2nd Edition" - that book is fantastic. Everyone has covered most everything else. But basically ferrets involve a lot of research and most of us here tend to lean towards a completely raw diet, which is a little more challenging for adult ferrets but can be done. EVO was bought by Procter & Gamble and within a few months will initiate a formulation change as per their contract being up with Innova - they will also then begin selling in big-box retail stores like Petsmart and PetCo. Personally if you are looking for a decent kibble I recommend Orijen Cat - it's grain-free as well. |
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Post by Sherry on Apr 23, 2011 10:10:52 GMT -5
EVO was bought by Procter & Gamble and within a few months will initiate a formulation change as per their contract being up with Innova - they will also then begin selling in big-box retail stores like Petsmart and PetCo. It's already in Petland here. |
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Post by muncharoo223 on Apr 23, 2011 12:14:32 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2011 22:16:57 GMT -5
HI and Welcome!!! Sneakers is a cutie! I have a silver that is deaf, but she's my Waardenburg baby...
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). Canine distemper is a very dangerous virus and is easily transmitted. However, there are a lot of risks involved with vaccinating, including reactions leading to deaths. (If you have any other questions about vaccines/etc) you can start another thread dedicated it because there is a lot of info about it and a lot of different opinions on the matter. 
