it is important that any housing you may purchase for your ferreti escape proof, easy to clean, has a separate sleeping area, and enough room for your ferret t exercise, a good qualiy water bottle and food bowl in an easily accessible place. Outside it is acceptable for a ferret to be housed in a very large rabbit hutch, provided that they are given the opportunity to excercise by walking on a lead or allowed access to a large room in the house. It is acceptalbe for ferrets to be housed in an escape proof shed with a run attached and suffcient toys. If you were thinking about having an inside cage for your ferrets then a large rat cage, or a tall Chinchilla cage, or a cage specifically made or ferrets would be acceptable. Also a litter tray must be avaliable and should be empited on a daily basis to prevent odour build up and attraction on pests. In the hutch or enclosure, use dust extracted bedding to prevent respiratory or skin problems. Ferret beddin must provide both warmth and darness since they are unable to  compensate rapidly for sharp changes in the external temperature. Bedding should preferabl be in a high box with a pop hole. If ferrets are kept in doors, insufficient darkness can lead to adrenal prblems. Sun blocking shades in the room and keeping electric lights to a bare minmum, espcially in wintertime when day lengts shorten, will help to ensure the right light level.

Feeding

Ferrets are obligate carrivoures and require daily high levels of dietary protein and fat to develop dtrog muscels, healthy bones an to revent illness. They have a negligible need for carbohydrate and fibre as they synthesise most of their glucose requirements - reducing the need for a dietary source. Ferrets feed throughout the day eating small frequent meals, this is due to the fact that they have an extremely short digestive tract and food passes through within 3-4 hours. The average ferret will eat 5-7% of its body weight on a daily basis, this is about 50-75 grms of food for a ferret weighing 1 kg. These are approximate levels and will differ from animals to aimal andaccording to life stage. Ferrets will require large amounts during growth, gestation and reproduction. Reproducing females require a minimum of 30% rotein from thier diet, and kits require high levels of protein and fat throughout their growth phase. Feed levels may drop duing later life and should be adusted based on intake, demand and physiological changes, such as weight gain. Feeding a complete dried food provides all the nutritional requirements your ferret needs. Feeding fresh food requires supplementaion of vitamins and minerals and may result in deficiency or more commonly toxicity, resulting in a range of avoidable illnesses and conditions. Always check the recommended daily allowances are supplied by any food you buy. Always ensure that fresh water is available at all times, as eating dried food will often lead to higter demands for water on a daily basis.

Exercise

Ferrets are extremely active and very playful. Always find time to socialise with your ferret on a daily basis, this will add variety and stimulation to your pet's day. Ferrets will play with small balls and enjoy a variety of tunnels to play in. Supreme Petfoods has designed a feeding ball so ferrets have to work for their food. This increases their exercise eiod, leading to a fitter pet and reducing dietary related health problems. Ferrets enjoy sleeping above ground level, so an ideal accessory for hot summer days is a hammock. However, a hammock is not adequate as a permanent bedding area.

Handling your ferret

Allow your ferret to come to you before picking it up. This prevents frightering it andreduces the risk of being bitten. Ferrets should be grasped around the shoulders, with your thumb under the front leg and  your fingers under the jaw and other front leg, with yur other hard, then gently bring the ferret against your chest.

Common Illnesses

Respiratory Infectrions - Sress such as warning,separation, overcrowding and poor husbandry can encourage illness. Symptoms will inclued sneezing, coughing, fever, nasal discharge and lethargy. Seek veterinary treatment as your ferret may require a course of antibiotics. Several human influenza strains can cause influernza in ferrets. Humans can infect ferrets and vie versa, so take precautions if you have a cold or flu.

Nutritional diarrhoea - This can be due to a sudden change in diet. Avoid any sudden change in diet, new diets should be introduced gradually over a minimum of two weeks. Diarrhoea should correct itself within a couple of days, if not, seek veterinary advice.

Infectious diarrhoea - This can be associated with parasites, bacteria or viruses and can affect ferrets at any age, although kits are most susceptable. In all cases it is important to find the cause, as ferrets can fall ill quite quickly, resulting in dehydration, poor condtion and in the worst scenario, death, in all cause seek vet advice.

Foreign bodies - Due to the inquistive nature of young ferrets, gastrointestinal obstructions are common. Occasinally a small, partially obstructing object may pass with the help of some intestinal lubricants, but in most cases surgery is necessary. In adult ferrets, hairballs can sometimes lead to obstruction especially dring the moulting peiod. Grooming decreases the risk but for severe problems please see a vet.

Canine Distemper - Ferrets are very suscetible o Canine Distremper, which often lead to fatalty. Signs of the virusinclue dischage around the eyes, nose and chin. Other symptoms are oss of appetite, a rash an lethargy. It is highly infectous and can be piced up from dog urine on the soles of your shoes. To prevent infection, ask your vet to vaccinate at 9-10 weeks

Oestrogen induced anaemia - jill's are induced ovulators and may often have prolonged seasons if not mated. High prolonged levels of oestrogen in the body can cause aplatic anaemia. To prevent this happening, if you are not breeding from your jill you should have her neutered, brought out of season by a homone injection, or present her to a vasectomised hob.

External parasites - Ear mites are common and will be apparent if your ferret shakes his head and scratches his ears often. It can lead to inflammation of the area and generally be uncomfortable to the animal. Regularly check your ferret for fleas and flea dirt. If fleas are found you will need to treat wit a product recommended for us on ferrets. Don't forget to treat their cage too.

For more information on ferrets click Picture below