Caring For Your New Baby Ferret The Right Way
All babies require extra care and attention and baby ferrets are no exception to that rule. Ferrets are mammals so there are quite a few similarities with other babies. They can leave their mother at about age 6 weeks if they are going to get the proper care elsewhere. Knowing how to properly care for a new baby ferret requires a lot more than guess work and finding out what they need and want should be handled prior to them being born or brought home.
When the female ferret, also called the Jill, is giving birth to her litter, she should not be touched or handled in any way. Doing so could result in her becoming violent and possibly harming you or her young. Leave her be, she knows what she is doing. The litter will be called “kits.” The mother ferret usually will give birth to about eight babies in one litter. When the babies are born they are unable to see anything, they are pink in color and totally hairless. For some time the kits do nothing more than sleep, eat, and grow. In about three weeks the babies will begin to open their eyes and they will darken in color.
By six weeks the kits can leave their mother but by the seventh week it is suggested that the babies see the vet for their first visit. This is a good time to begin vaccinations but it is also wise to discuss neutering your ferret and having him descented.
When you are picking up your ferret always inquire with the breeder about the food that the ferret has been used to eating. If you can, try to keep him on the same diet but it is a good idea to also soften the food by soaking it is warm water before giving it to the baby ferret. If you decide to switch foods then always wean the baby ferret from one food to another very gradually. Do this by adding a little of the new brand to the old one, a little at a time until the new brand is the predominant one.
Some people feed their ferrets’ cat food but it is always a better choice to feed your ferret a good quality ferret food because it has more of the right minerals and balance to it. Especially when ferrets are babies, they require a high protein diet and this can not be provided through a cat food regimen. The ideal food choice should consist of 35% protein and 20% fat. The best choice for a baby ferret would be a food that uses poultry as the main fatty acid. Ferrets should always have access to plenty of clean water that is changed regularly.
Make sure that your new baby ferret has a nice spacious cage that he can grow with. Be sure that this cage is designed and safe for ferrets and one where he can not harm himself but has ample room. The cage is the safe haven for your ferret and a place where he can play without harm. Make sure the material that the cage is made from is safe and non chewable and that it can’t corrode. Make the cage all comfy inside so your ferret is comfortable and has the opportunity to burrow. Always use bedding choices that can not be chewed up as this could harm your ferret.
Ferrets can be so much fun if they are happy pets then they will be fun and live a long time!
