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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 17:37:43 GMT -5
So I'm a first-time ferret owner and I am going to be moving very soon. I have been doing tons of reasearch to try and make things as smooth as possible for everyone. I will be moving with 6 bettas, 2 adults guppies with alot of fries, aquarium plants, wisp the ferret, and my 8 yr old son. I have only had wisp for about 3 weeks and have started trying to get her used to walking on a leash because I wanther to be aable to get out and stretch her legs during the trip. So my biggest problem is, how do I keep her cool because it's going to be at least a day and a half trip and it's getting very hot and I don't have air conditioning in my vehicle. I also have to keep my fish warm, while keeping wisp and my son cool. I was looking it an ice blanket or ice packs, but I don't have any way of keeping them cold or frozen. I will be stopping regularly and when I do, I plan on freshening her water so it's at least cooler. Also, we will be staying a night at a hotel (already checked to make sure all of my pets were accepted) but I'm afraid about letting her out in a strange place. So any tips on that would be appreciated also. Unfortunately, there isn't alot of information besides keep them cool and give them chances to stretch their legs and so on. I have never owned a ferret and I love her so much and want everyone to have a smooth trip as possible. This little girl is so special to me and I would absolutely hate for anything to happen to her. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Toni and Wisp
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 17:49:04 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2015 9:55:26 GMT -5
Thanks so much for the welcome and the reply. I actually have the very small cage that she came in (and that's just in my opinion). I think it's sold as a ferret cage but it's way too small. Anyway, it has enough room for her necessity items so that's what I planned on using. I will be moving from Tennessee to just outside D.C. (it was going to be D.C. but since wisp, those plans changed). I am at least her second owner and the lady that gave her to me said she was a boy. I assumed that they were like cats in the sense of their "equipment" but I found out differently when I took her to my vet. I will definitely check out the thread asap. And at least I know that I can ferret proof the hotel room. She is caged for the majority of the time, aside from the 2-3 hrs out in the morning for cleaning and playing; and then again in the afternoon for the same. But now she has found some magical way to get out of her cage this morning and decided that she wanted to play. :roll: I thought I had a rat in my room! I have no idea how she got out because I thought that I had her cage secured to the point that she couldn't escape, but obviously I was wrong. Any way, going to check out the thread.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2015 11:07:58 GMT -5
Good Luck with your move. Moving is always emotional, even under happy circumstances.
It's not unusual for a ferrent to find out that they have a girl when they thought they had a boy.
My doctor gave us our Keller, he thought she was a boy. Boys have what looks like a belly button and girls have a tiny vagina under their tail.
Ferrets are super smart and escape artists. She might be bored and need some more stimulation. The more out of cage time the better. If your schedule is very busy, consider a friend for her. She will be happier.
We moved to Tennessee a few years back. Washington will be a big change for you. But what a great place to live. The suburbs are lovely and there is so much to do. Sometimes I really miss city life, but Nashville isn't too far and we can get our city fix there.
:wave2:
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2015 9:38:41 GMT -5
Yeah, my hope is to completely ferret proof my new place and let her be free roaming. I would enjoy that alot more vs having to cage her all of the time. Although she is out at minimum 4 hrs every day anyway. I just overslept and she decided that it was playtime and got out herself. So last night she was out for a few hrs because I had to deep clean her cage and rearrange it. So I think she is happy with it. And yes, I am super excited about the adventure of moving. My sis lives in the area so at least I will know someone. I've also found a great vet in the area and going to check them out asap. She will be due for her distemper vaccines booster as well as her first rabies vaccine in a couple of weeks, so it will be a good opportunity to get to know the vet office. And they are exclusively for exotics. So I got a few good ideas that I might try on the trip and at least I kinda know what to look for in case something goes wrong. And I didn't think about that I would have ice available, so I will just do the ice baggie with her and constantly refresh her water. Here's to the hope that everything goes smoothly and we have a great trip.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2015 9:47:22 GMT -5
My five are all free roam in the house. I love it.
It does mean ferret proofing is ongoing. Toilet seats down, windows closed, picking up any rubber or foam objects, a close watch on doors and visitors etc... Get on the floor and look up and under everything.
I wouldn't trade it for anything. Even when I have ferrets bouncing on my bed at 3 a.m. inviting me to play.
I have some empty drawers with blankets in them, they find places to sleep and change them out. Stashing is an issue, but I know most of their treasure spots.
If someone comes over like a plumber or carpenter, who tends to leave a door open, then I just put them in my room and close the door.
It's alot of fun and they get alot of exercise. I love the happy sound of their galloping up and down the halls and stairs. It doesn't work for everyone, but it does for us.
All my best wishes on your move.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2015 15:50:01 GMT -5
Bring some bottled water---and since ferrets don't sweat,I would periodically wet her down with a wet rag, The air can cool her like it does us when we sweat.
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Post by raynebc on May 17, 2015 16:25:27 GMT -5
I wonder if it would help to build a mini swamp cooler by getting a fan that runs off the cigaret lighter and pointing it at a wet towel draped over the ferret cage?
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Post by Aftershock on Jun 10, 2016 7:27:44 GMT -5
I would get a small cooler, freeze some bottles of water, put some ice packs in the cooler, then put a small blanket over the frozen water and with the ferret.
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