Hey!

[questionable]

Hello everyone! I'm new here from Oklahoma. I just recently recieved my first ferret as a gift from my husband, a lovely 5 month old cinnamon (I think, I'm not real savvy with the colors yet) from petco. He is so far very sweet with minimal nipping, if you even call it that. Sometimes he rubs his teeth on me to get me to leave him alone but doesn't actually bite down. Except for socks. He clamps on those, lol.

I've also got a dapple dashchund named Jasper, whom up until this point was my only 'child'. I am a stay at home wife attending mostly online college in January, though, twice a week I do have to actually be present at the school. Bummer.

Since I had only been researching ferrets for about a week before my husband surprised me, Luther is currently eating the crunchy ultimate. I then read stories of peoples ferrets getting the stars stuck in the roof of their mouths. So any food recomendations would be appreciated!

I've also got a few questions.

I'm interested in feeding feeder mice as treats, how often would I need to do this? Is this even recomended?

I plan on letting Luther free-roam the house, mostly just in the (ferret proofed) living room and bed room. I would like to keep a collar or harness with a bell on him as much as possible, as that seems to be much less stressful on me when I haven't seen him in a while. Is this recommended? Does any one have any better suggestions?

Sometimes when he nips/teeth scrapes and I scruff him, as soon as I let go he comes at me with his mouth open before resuming his business. Whats this about?

I think that's it, for right now, haha. Sorry for bombarding you all with questions!

[Sherry]

Hi and welcome Keep asking questions! That's the best way to find out Anyway, for diet- the vast majority of us here feed raw meat/bone/organ(frankenprey), and/or whole prey. That can run the gamut from mice to rabbit and everything in between.
Personally for me, because of cost, I'll feed mice or other whole prey once a week. They can go on an entire whole prey diet(the ideal), but it is expensive.
As for collars, mine kept ditching them, so I quit after buying 8 or 9 collars for two ferrets The big problem is they can get hooked up on something with either collar, or especially halter, and have some serious damage done. So halters in particular are only advised under direct supervision, such as walks.
Nipping if he's not actually biting when he comes back at you, ignore it Personally, I use time outs for biting. Empty cat carrier for 3 minutes max.
Please, feel free to browse, check out the nutrition section, especially the stickies at the top! In good conscience I can't advise a kibble diet, because of the links that have been made between carbs/starches and insulinoma.
And post some pics of the little one We're slightly addicted to them ;D

[Deleted]

Welcome! I agree with everything that Sherry says. If you're concerned about not being able to find Luther -- my kids pretty much sleep in the same spots. After a bit of time I imagine you'll know all of his spots and it won't be as stressful for you
If you're looking to continue kibble as a main portion of Luther's diet (and again I agree with Sherry that a purely kibble diet isn't advisable), the only one I know of that is starch-free (not just grain free but starch free) is Wysong's Epigen90. You can get it on wysong's website or at casey's hidden pantry (also online). Note that their Arch 2 kibble is NOT starch-free and as such I do NOT recommend it whatsoever. Wysong's archetypal I is also good, I grind up epigen90 and arch1 then mix them w/hot water to make soupies. They have epi90 available to free eat, but I'm soon introducing freeze-dried raw.

And yes...pictures would be fantastic! I love pics of ferrets

[questionable]

I'll check out the Wysong and especially the epi90 if it's free eat! I want to feed him raw, but not completly, mostly because of cost. I see that you said once a week is fine, so if I can manage a couple times a week would be better, right? Does the prey need to be frozen or can I give him live? If I am going to feed him prey as a meal should he eat a rat instead of a mouse? The only things I can get within an hour of me would be mice and rats. How many times a day would he need to be fed on raw? Do I need to make a seperate thread for all my questions? lol.

He doesn't ever fight with his collar, he's only been able to get it off once and then he carried it around by the bell until I took it, haha. I take it off when I put him in his cage, but if it's dangerous for him I'll ditch it completely.

I'm gonna go upload some pictures so I can post them. (:

[questionable]

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[Sherry]

What a little sweetheart as for feeding raw, I feed twice a day. They don't need the constant access to raw like they do with kibble. He'd likely eat about 4-5 ounces a day once he quits growing.
You can also try live(mice only) to see what Kind of hunter he is. But be prepared to step in if he botches the kill. It should all be over in seconds. Check out our live feeding section in nutrition for videos on both good and bad hunts.
Personally, since I can't kill anything, I feed frozen/thawed.

[Heather]

Hi and welcome on board
Please feel free to prowl, read the various threads, check out the site..there's a ton of information here. Everyone's friendly and there's not such thing as a stupid question (well yes, there is...the one that isn't asked ) For everyone here there has been a first ferret...it's amazing, fun and rather scary ;D Read through our nutritional section, there's some very good reading there. Raw can be as cost effective as you make it....I find very little price difference between high end kibbles and raw feeding...especially when I factor in the savings at the vets. I feed ground commercial, frankenprey and prey (my guys get prey every night when they go to bed). We'd love to see some photos of your new little one....oh...word to the warning...ferret math is infectious...usually caught be viewing cute pictures of baby ferrets
I hope that I will be seeing you around
ciao

[Deleted]

Wow he is a very handsome boy!

[questionable]

Thanks guys (: I'm gonna go check out the forum!

[Heather]

What a little cutey...is he sucking on his back feet in the last photo? He's so cute.
Just a thought, I'm sure you already know...ferrets and rubber are a no go unless heavily supervised. The one photo had him playing with what looked like a rubber dog toy...those toys are not strong enough to put up with baby teeth. Bowel obstructions is not a good introduction to baby ferret care, so be ever vigilant when using this type of toy. Minion actually made a mess of a kong that was supposed to be for ferret type pets. He did that in less than 15 minutes.
ciao

[questionable]

I don't know if he was sucking his feet, I just know he passed smooth out as soon as I picked him up, haha. I know about the toys, that was actually my dogs and I happened to get a picture of him smelling it. Thanks, though!

[miamiferret2]

First of all, Congrats on your new baby! Welcome to the Holistic ferret Forum!
I highly recommend (since this is your first ferret) that you buy a cage designed for ferrets so that you can keep him in there when he is not awake. Ferret proofing is a long and arduous task. Young ferrets may chew on electrical wires and that is dangerous. You may need a bitter spray for that if he is a chewer (most of them are at first). Also, check under the couch, make sure he cannot rip the bottom liner put because couches often have foam inside. Or, he can get caught up in the coils and springs and he could be killed when someone sits. i went to home depot and i bought a thin piece of plywood, measured it out and nailed it to the bottom of the couch.
Recliners are a huge problem. Many ferrets are killed each year because they like to play in recliners. I would flat out get rid of them. Recliners are not allowed in my house.
The spaces/ gaps under and around the oven, dishwasher, kitchen cabinets, refrigerator, make sure he can't get under them! Never turn on the dishwasher, washing machine or dryer unless you know where your ferret us. Laundry rooms are a major hazard. They can get mixed in with laundry (ferrets love to hide and sleep in dirty piles of laundry), they like to play in the empty dryer and if they get behind the dryer, they can also escape through the dryer vent.
Keep out of reach all artificial sweeteners, chocolate, medications, rubber, foam (earplugs, headphones ANYTHING made of rubber or foam). The #1 reason that young ferrets have to have surgery is due to a blockage. also, always check toys and bedding for signs of chewing. I have had the misfortune of owning many ferrets that suck on and chew on their blankets then they swallow pieces of their blankets.
I get down at their eye level and look for the potential dangers. Wherever his head fits, the rest of his body will squeeze through. So even those gaps and crevices that you look at and think "oh he'll never fit in there" - oh yes, he might fit in there.
Enjoy him while he's awake and follow him around. A bell is a great idea for when he is out of his room or cage.
Always look down when opening and closing doors. They are master escape artists.
So even if for now you get him a cage to sleep in at night, I think you would have more peace of mind. because they are usually up and about wreaking havoc while we are asleep. that is their time. I hear so much ruckus at night its crazy.
And then while your ferret is out it will be easier to watch him and ferret proof everything. These animals are like toddlers with adhd. Constantly getting themselves into dangerous situations. But you will LOVE having him! And yes, they DO love you back!!

[Deleted]

First, welcome! Definitely the place to come for a wealth of information on ferrets ;D

Second, congrats on becoming a first time ferrant! Luther is absolutely adorable!

I definitely second getting a cage just for when you're asleep or not home. That's what I do with my guys. They now have free roam of our room when we're home (which is most of the day), and only go back into the cage when we're not home or when we're going to bed. I swear they have a field day when not watching ;D

Other than that, everyone else pretty much covered some basics. Make sure to read the stickies in all of the sections. I would also recommend buying "Ferrets for Dummies" second edition (also known as the "ferret bible") and/or Animal Planet's "Ferrets" by Vickie Mckimmey (has a great section on natural diets).

Again, don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you have. Just make sure to take lots of pictures... they grow up so fast Make sure to share them with us too, or else the mob gets pretty unruly They need their fix

[questionable]

I do have a cage for him, and I'm ordering this three story green and purple one (can't remember the name) next pay check for him. I deffinatley put him up at night time when I'm not up to keep an eye on him and when I'm not at home. All my wires have been bitter yucked, I actually seen him go to chew on one and then walk away shaking his head, lol. He isn't allowed into the kitchen, only the living room, and we don't have any recliners. (:

[miamiferret2]

That is excellent! As for diet, you have certainly come to the right place! I highly recommend a raw diet for your ferret!