Ferrets are true carnivores. They can get viral, bacterial, fungal infections; as well as internal or external parasites. They also suffer from tumors, hormonal disturbances, and metabolic disease. Baby ferrets need distemper vaccine at the age of 8 weeks, repeating at 10 and 12 weeks, and the Rabies vaccine at the age of 12 weeks. Older Ferrets require an annual check up (fecal worm check, glucose test, CBC, blood chemistry, total body x-ray, rabies and distemper vaccine). Seasonal weight loss is common in ferrets, this condition makes the ferrets owner very worried.

Housing
The best type of housing is a standard wire cage. There are a variety of cages available at pet stores that are designed for ferret use. We have found that most ferrets prefer cages with levels. We advise not to use aquariums or wood chips. Be sure to cage your ferret when no one is home.

Nutrition
Ferrets are obligate carnivores and they require a meat diet with high percentage of protein and fat, and low percentage carbohydrate and fiber content. Never feed your ferret a vegetarian diet, plant proteins are not good for ferrets. Young ferrets and lactating females require more protein and fat (at least 40% protein and minimum 25% fat) then mature or non-breeding adults (at least 30% protein, 18% to 30% fat for mature adults, and for non-breeding adults 18% to 20% fat). They do not require fiber or starch in their diet. Fiber content should never be above 2%. Too much fiber causes digestive upsets and stool problems. Excessive sweet treat should not be given because ferrets have a smaller large intestine so they can only digest simple carbohydrates. Their pancreas can respond life-threateningly to increased sugar intake. Cheap supermarket or generic cat foods should be avoided because they contain a corn base and ferrets cannot digest high fiber diets. Avoid foods that contain soy flour, soybean meal, and foods that contain a lot of cereal-based additions besides the meat by-product because they could contain more plant protein than animal protein. Totally Ferret ® is a high quality ferret food. Visit them at www.totallyferret.com. Iams and Hills also carry certain cat foods that are a suitable for ferrets.