Heart of England Ferret Association

Grooming and Maintenance

The toilet area of your ferret's cage or run needs to be cleaned daily and bedding will need to be cleaned and replaced weekly to minimise odours and maintain the health of your pets.

To keep your ferrets happy and friendly you will need to handle and play with them daily, this is also a good opportunity to check your pet for any health problems.

Your ferrets fur should be clean and free from fleas and ticks. These can be treated with Frontline or similar but it's best to spray a small dose onto a rubber glove and gently stroke your ferret with it as applying direct to the skin can cause blistering. You typically need about half the dose that you would use for a cat. Unless your ferret has rolled in something there is no need to give them a bath, bathing them can strip essential oils from their fur which can actually make them smell worse.

Eyes should be bright and clear. Ears should be clean and free from wax, you can wipe the ears clean with baby wipes but never poke cotton buds into the ears as this can cause internal damage. Ear mites appear as a black tarry wax in the ears and can be treated with drops which are available from your vets.

You should regularly check your ferrets gums and teeth and run your hands down their bodies to feel out any lumps or bumps which could be cysts or tumours. If you find anything that you are unsure of you should consult your vet immediately.

Claws need to be trimmed about once a month, if you are unsure of how to do this then your vet or an experienced ferret owner will be able to show you.

Ferrets do not necessarily need vaccinations but you may want to consider guarding against canine distemper if you intend on walking your ferret in areas where there may be dogs. There is currently no distemper vaccine which is licensed for ferrets within the U.K but your vet should be able to help you.

Always check with your vet before administering any type of medication.

If you are going to be away from home, on holiday or for any other reason, you will need to arrange care for your ferrets. Many ferret rescues offer boarding services as do several small animal shelters, it may be worth joining your local ferret club as this will put you in touch with other owners who can provide support.

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