Ferrets aren’t the most high maintenance pets out there, but you do need to give them some grooming attention. Here are some tips to keep in mind, so that you can keep your ferrets looking and feeling at their best at all times.
Good ferret care will also help to keep your ferret happy and contented, which is the aim of any good pet owner. With the best possible care, you may find your ferret lives longer, and remains more active in later life.
Good ferret grooming will also help your ferret to be used to human contact, in the early stages, as well as you an opportunity to find health problems early. Remember- if you spot any health issues with your ferret, consult your vet immediately.
Trimming Your Ferret’s Toenails
Your ferret’s toenails need to be clipped regularly, and it’s best to look at doing this roughly every two weeks. If you want to make sure the job goes well, you’ll need to get the ferret comfortable first, it’s usually good to occupy them with a treat first.
Cutting the nails requires good, sharp animal clippers, to make sure you get a clean cut. Make sure you don’t trim them too short, and be prepared for any mishaps, by having a styptic, to stop bleeding, close to hand. In an emergency, you can stop bleeding with corn starch.
Dealing With Hairballs
When a ferret is shedding fur, hairballs can be a real problem. Make it a part of your grooming routine to stop this from happening, by giving your ferret a laxative each week. Ferret laxatives are made to be a treat, so grooming is the perfect time to do this.
Watch out for the times when a ferret will shed a lot of hair, which tends to happen around twice a year. When they’re shedding fur, hairballs can be quite dangerous to your pet ferret.
Bathing Your Ferret
While you will regularly need to trim your ferret’s nails and treat for hairballs, you should be careful to avoid bathing your ferret too regularly. This is because the ferret relies on the oils in the fur, to protect the coat and give it glossiness.
If you bathe your ferret too often, you’re more likely to end up with a stinky ferret, as the oils will be produced in larger amount. These oils will get quite musky in excess, but will be less noticeable if they are given the right care.
Be aware that some ferrets are more receptive to bathing than others. Some really like the water, while others are reluctant. For this reason, have someone on hand to help, if possible. Always make sure that you use a mild ferret shampoo, as you don’t want to strip away those oils.
Remember that ferret care should be simple, which is why I wrote my guide Simple Ferret Care
