Important Facts About The Ferret

July 8, 2018

Did you know that ferrets are among the animals for sale that we have here at PetCenter?

Well, they are! Ferrets are cute and playful small animals and can bring joy to homes just as puppies and kittens do. Here is more information about these cuddly pets.

About Their Lifestyle

Ferrets make good pets, because they are relatively low maintenance. They can live alone, but they live happier lives with another ferret around, so grab two animals for sale! They are active…when awake! They tend to sleep quite a bit – napping an average of 16 hours a day! With this sleep pattern, they are more active around the hours of dawn and dusk.

Ferrets are not pets that can be caged all the time like hamsters and gerbils. They can certainly spend a lot of time in their cage, but they need the freedom to run and roam and explore their surroundings. These small animals for sale can actually be taught to walk on a leash and even be litter trained.

About Their Origin

The ferret is the domesticated version of the European polecat. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur. The history of domesticated the ferret is still an unsolved mystery. It is likely that they have been this way for at least 2,500 years. They are still used for hunting purposes in some parts of the world, but more popularly have become house pets.

About Their Health

On average, they grow to be about 20 inches long and that includes a 5 inch tail. They typically weigh between 1.5 pounds to 4 pounds, but larger ones can be as heavy as 6 pounds. Males tend to be larger than females. They have a lifespan of 7-10 years.

Please keep in mind that ferrets naturally have a strong body odor, which is caused by hormone production and anal scent glands that are used as defense mechanisms. If they are spayed or neutered and have their scent glands removed, the odor should be drastically decreased. Any lingering odor can be taken care of with regular baths. Most ferrets sold in the United States have already been de-scented.

About Their Diets

Ferrets are hardcore carnivores. Their digestive system are largely unable to digest plant foods. The natural diet of their ancestors encompassed small prey animals; including meat, bones, organs, and skin. With a short digestive system and quick metabolism, ferrets need to eat frequently. Dry foods that have almost entirely meat provide the highest nutrient for ferrets. You can also feed them high-grade cat food although ferret food is widely available and preferred. Ferrets imprint on their food at a very young age, around six months. This makes introducing new food to an older ferret increasingly hard.

Now that you’ve learned more about ferrets, come on down into our store to purchase our small animals for sale. We have many accessories and products that will make your ferret’s transition into your home a smooth one!