Domestic and breeding ferrets began many centuries ago. People used them to fight all sorts of rodents. Now these beautiful creatures are used more as decorative animals and companions, who easily adapt to life in a typical city apartment. How difficult is it to take care of them, and can a newcomer cope with it?
Ferrets are home-care and maintenance
The first thing you need to pay attention to is that they have a specific smell. Ferrets have glands which, in moments of danger, can secrete enzymes. Most amateurs do not cause inconvenience, but not all people equally perceive this smell. In order not to be disappointed in the future, it is best to sniff it before purchasing an animal.
Care of the ferrets and their proper nutrition is not too difficult, but you must follow a number of rules, the implementation of which will help the owner not to make the most common mistakes. It should be remembered that ferrets are predators with fairly sharp teeth. If you have a small child, then you need to think carefully before starting a pet in your apartment. After all, you need to be very careful with him. With cats, these creatures live together normally. But if you have a hunting dog dog, then such a neighbor can cause trouble for them. Rodents for them are, first of all, prey. And they are unlikely to make friends with them in your apartment.
The sex of the animal also affects their temperament. Males are more aggressive and larger than ladies, and differ from them in their color. But they quickly get used to the owner and can even feel friendly feelings towards him. In the mating season, they have a habit of tagging their territory. If you have a lot in the house of plants, it is better to remove them higher. Since our ferrets like to dig in the ground, and most likely, spoil your plantations.
How to properly care for the ferret in the apartment?
Keep them in either cages, or fencing off for them a special angle. If you plan that these creatures will walk around your house, then, first of all, close all the cracks, close cabinets, tables, windows and windows. While walking in nature, keep them on the harness so they do not run away. The cell must be at least 50X80 cm, and 30 cm in height. In a small room, he will feel uncomfortable. To sleep, the ferret can make a house, where he will have a rest after a walk. It is better for them to find a trough for them that is strong enough, which these animals can not quickly break. These animals are accustomed to the tray, but they must be special - the three walls of such a device must be high enough (30 cm), and the contents should be changed at least once a day. Otherwise they will find themselves in the apartment corner, which you will not bring great joy.
How to feed a homemade ferret?
Always fresh water should be in the water bowl. To feed these animals is necessary food in which there is a sufficient amount of proteins and fats, because they are predatory animals. In addition to special mixtures, include in your food for your animals boiled chicken or quail eggs. In nature, they eat mice, earthworms, frogs or large insects. Like ferrets a different fish - salmon, cod, trout. Do not give up beef, chicken or pork. Preliminarily it can be boiled and allowed to cool. Milk they better not give, but the cottage cheese will come up, it has a lot of calcium useful for them. Vegetable food, food from your table, especially sharp, it is better not to give these pets.
How to care for a small ferret?
Small puppies are very afraid of the cold, and can quickly freeze. The optimum temperature for children is about 35 degrees. From the 20th day they can start to feed. Suitable for them is minced meat, baby food, a little later you can offer a cat's canned food. Approximately at 5-6 weeks, you can already offer little kids a little dry food. Separate the guys from the mother not earlier than the eighth week, but it's better to do this even later. Young animals, up to about eight months of age, are very active. They can not stay long in one place, and are terribly active. Quite quickly they begin to get impudent and try to dominate everything. They keep their playfulness to the oldest age. It is necessary to take into account this active temperament, before starting such an unruly pet.