Hello, we are Arthur and Bandit. We came from a ferret rescue centre in Ongar, Essex. I am an albino, while Bandit is a sable point. We have both been neutered, which makes us less prone to the musky odour often associated with ferrets, and also more friendly. We also have had small microchips inserted under our skin, so that if we ever got lost, we can be scanned, and traced back to Colin.
We live in a large wire cage in a garden shed, which is waterproof and draught free. Ferrets are naturally clean, and easily litter box trained. We are also very playful and inquisitive. In the evening, after the ducks have been mucked out, and before they go to bed, we get to play in their shed while Bonnie cleans out our cage. We are easy to clean out because we do all our business in a specially designed ferret litter tray, so it only takes her about 5 minutes each day. Our cage has wood-chips on the floor with an old towel fluffed up in one corner for us to sleep in, which we love curling up together on. Also we have some large tubes and a rope bridge, but we normally just sleep. When we go in the ducks shed Bandit and I are given a big ferret ball which we can go inside, a squeaky toy and a small cloth bag to play with. Oh, and Colin comes to play with us when he gets in from work. Toys should be both entertaining and safe, any made for cats should be ok but avoid soft rubber or foam toys as ferrets have sharp teeth and a piece could easily be torn off and swallowed. Cardboard boxes are great fun to play in, just cut some holes in the sides and tap the top closed.Although ferrets are hardy animals, there are some diseases that we are prone to. Bandit and I are vaccinated once a year (as all ferrets should be) against Canine Distemper. This disease can be fatal so it is important to keep our vaccinations up to date. Ferrets can also get a serious endemic virus infection called Aleutian Disease, this can cause sudden death or a chronic debilitating disease with very variable symptoms. Carriers of the virus may be symptom-less. Unfortunately there is no vaccine available, but there is a very effective blood test which can detect carriers. We can also catch colds and 'flu from humans. An infected ferret must be kept away from other ferrets as should infected humans. If a ferret becomes infected, it must be taken to the vet immediately. We need to have our ears and coat regularly checked for parasites. The best way to do this is to groom your ferrets regularly, this is good for bonding, fun to do and a great way to check us over. Most ferrets enjoy the occasional bath as well, particularly in hot weather. Afterwards just give us a towel and we will dry ourselves off! We also need our claws clipped regularly, this is done with standard pet nail clippers that you can buy in any good pet store.
Remember - if you suspect your ferret is infected with any disease or parasite, be sure to consult your vet immediately.A ferrets diet is quite straightforward. Our protein level needs to be between 32% and 38%, and our dietary fat requirement is between 20% and 30%. For this reason, the simplest way to feed your ferret and be sure that we are getting the correct nutritional balance, is to feed us on a ready prepared dry ferret food. These complete foods (which are similar to dry dog or cat foods, but made to fit our specific requirements.) are available at most good pet stores and there are a few different brands available. (Bandit and I like the Dodson and Horrell one best!) Some people feed their ferrets on raw meat (e.g. rabbits and pigeons) but this makes it harder to be sure we are getting the right levels of protein and fat. The raw meat option also attracts flies -particularly in hot weather- so we do not recommended it, but you might like to give your ferret meat as the occasional treat. Other treats ferrets enjoy include: dry cereals, cucumber, raisins, fruits and vegetables, but NEVER dairy products.
Bandit and I both have little harnesses with leads, and some evenings we go for a walk around the block before playing in the duck’s shed. This is great fun, as we get to see lots of new things. Ferret harnesses can be purchased at all good pet stores, but make sure that the harness fits your ferret correctly before taking them out, as we can easily slip out of a loose harness.
Colin built us a gate to go on the duck’s shed when we play in there, but ferrets are such good escape artists that I managed to get out, by scaling the wall! When making any type of ferret enclosure, you must first test if it is ferret proof by supervising your ferrets using the said construction. Only when you are as sure as you can be that us ferrets cannot escape, should you leave us unattended, and then only for a short period of time before returning to see if we have escaped yet. Repeat this over a few days to be sure, if your ferrets don't escape, congratulations you have won, and succeeded in making a ferret proof construction.Recommended reading: “Guide to owning a Ferret” by T.F.H. publications.
Below are some pictures of Bandit and I playing in the duck’s shed.
Cute aren’t we?
