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Ferrets are an alert, inquisitive and intelligent pet. Their life span is approximately eight to ten years long.
A common complaint about the ferret is that they are vicious, which is totally untrue. As long as these animals are treated properly with love and provided with all the neccessities they require they will return your love ten fold.
Although they originate from the feline family they require training and taming unlike the cat (which we couldn't train if we tried). Nutritional care is fairly easy for a ferret. A dry ferret food is available at pet stores. They can eat a variety of people food also.
Ferrets love raisins, bananas and a variety of other food sources. Water bottles can be attached to their cage for drinking. Housing for the ferret is your choice. Some ferret owners have cages and others let them have the run of the house. It all depends on you. I feel that the cage option is preferred because they need to have their own space. But they will accustom to whatever they start with.
Ferrets can be messy so cages can contain their mess. Just be sure to provide your ferret with a good sized litter box. Shavings, or cat litter is essential. Ferrets like to burrow, so it is suggested that you provide a blanket or a cardboard box for them to hide away in. Ferrets are available in two colors, the sable (brown) or albino (white). Female ferrets are also known as bitches and males as hobs or dogs. The baby ferrets are called kits.
For nail clipping the best clippers to use are bird clippers. The ferrets quik in their nail is very close to the tip, so you should trim their nails often and with more trimming the quik regresses. You can get your ferret descented (I suggest you do this) when they are young; at the same time when spaying or neutering. They tend to have a strong odor if you don't. Even still when they are descented they omit an unwelcome odor. Bathing is important on a weekly basis, special ferret shampoo is available at pet stores. Just be sure to focus on their body and genital area. Use a facecloth on their head area, they have sensitive eyes.
An abundance of neccessities are available for your pet ferret, such as hammocks, tunnels and other toys to keep him/her busy. They are extremely curious animals. If you don't watch them, they will venture into your cupboards, closets, etc. Harnesses can be purchased for your Ferret if you are so inclined to take them for walks. I suggest you try this in the house a few times before venturing outdoors.
If you follow the above guidelines it can help to ensure a good ferret/owner relationship.
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