Understanding Your New Ferret
You have done your research and decided that ferrets are for you. They are a captivating addition to anyone’s life and home. These extraordinary creatures can be taught to use a litter box just a cat.
You’ll have to take a few safety precautions before you allow your new ferret to run around your home.
Of course you should never allow a new animal to run loose in your home. Let it get used to its new surroundings from the comfort and protection of its cage for as long as it takes before you let it roam around your home.
You also need to litter box train your new ferret as well. Most ferrets will end up using the litter box about 75% of the time, depending on your ferret, and how much time you devote to litter training,. There are ferrets that will use the litter box every time but, with most, you might find a “present” in the house from time to time.
Litter box training can take several hours a day for several months. The more time you devote to litter box training, the better your chances of success.
Typically, ferrets will go shortly after waking up or after eating. So, put your ferret in the litter box when it first wakes up. Don’t let it out until it has gone to the bathroom. Once it has gone, immediately give it a treat. The object is to try to get it associated with receiving a treat for going to the litter box.
Never physically punish a ferret for any reason, especially if they miss the litter box. Using physical punishment will only make them fear you and they will not associate what they did with that kind of punishment. You will have to be prepared to do a little cleaning up after it if you would like your ferret to be able to run around the house.
Something else you will need to do before you ferret is allowed to run free is to “ferret proof” your home. Ferret-proofing involves making your home safe for a ferret by removing any hazards. They are small, very curious, and they love to explore. They will find their way into small spaces. A good rule of thumb is that if their head will fit into a space, their bodies will too.
The first step in ferret proofing your home is crawling around on your hands and knees looking for gaps, small holes, loose air vent covers, etc. You need to check every room your ferret will soon be exploring themselves.
Don’t forget to include appliances in checking for small holes or places that ferrets can get inside of. Because ferrets are excellent climbers and very curious, anyplace can become a “play area” for them.
Ferrets might be able to get into the workings of some types of refrigerators and may get hurt by the fan. The dryer tubing looks really interesting to a ferret. They are able to rip a hole in it, climb up thru the hose, and get out through the vent. Couches are also potentially dangerous for ferrets. Some couches have thin fabric lining underneath that ferrets can easily get through and up inside of the couch to the springs.
Some ferret owners would love to have their ferrets to be able to run around their homes for exercise. But the most important thing is for you to be able to offer your ferret a safe place to run.
For more information about caring for your new ferret visit Ferret-Care-Center.com.
