Baby Ferrets
Baby ferrets also known as kits are cute, lovable, and tend to get into trouble in a fun sort of way. But are you really ready to care for one? And is a baby ferret right for you even if you did know how to care for it?
The advantages of getting a baby ferret are obvious-it’s cuter, more energetic, and more fun. In short, it’s everything you’d expect of a baby animal. Some people tend to turn a blind eye to the disadvantages because they really had their hearts set on a kit.
Far be it from me to tell you that you can’t have one though, I’m just the information guy that wants to make sure you’re prepared. So let’s get started.
The disadvantages primarily lie in the training. They need to be “nip” trained and litter trained. While frustrating for adults, it may be slightly more dangerous if you have young children in the house. The children won’t know how to handle it, and if you haven’t had your baby ferret descented, you may run into that not-so-sweet fragrance. The same may apply to older ferrets, but they are more used to people and less likely to feel in danger. The children will also break up any training that you’d do otherwise.
If you’ve made your decision, here are some of the things you’ll need to know in your journey with your baby ferret. Six weeks old is the “magical” age where a lot of things happen (or should happen) to your kit. It is the age where they can be weaned, descented, if you are going to (it becomes very painful for them if you try it much later), neutered or spayed, which if very important for ferret health unless you are breeding, and vaccinated.
If you’re getting yours from the store, you need to have a lengthy conversation about your baby ferret’s history. Most will have their distemper shot already, but three are required about three weeks apart from each other, and annually after that. You may also want to discuss what kind of food he or she was getting before you change over.
Next on your list—baby ferrets need toys, period. Not all of them are safe though. You may want to avoid those with small parts or materials that can be chewed up and swallowed as these risk both choking problems and digestive problems. Plastic is often a good choice. You’ll also have better luck fiscally if you choose durable toys.
That’s about it for a highlight of the differences to expect when caring for baby ferrets V.S. caring for adult ferrets. You still have to take care of its home, special food, water, etc, but that’s another article.
