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About 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 amazing creatures can be trained to use a litter box just like cats.

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 protection and comfort of its cage for as long as it takes before you consider letting it roam around your home.

You will also need to litter box train your 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,. Some ferrets will use the litter box consistently but, with most, you may find a little “gift” in the house once in a while.

Litter box training can up to take several hours every day for several months. The more attention 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. Do not let it out until it has used the litter box. Once it has gone, give it a treat immediately. The object is to try to get it associated with going in the litter box, then receiving a treat.

Never physically punish a ferret for any reason, especially if they miss the litter box. Physically punishing your ferret will only make them fear you and will not help them understand what they did wrong. If you would like to let your ferret loose in the house, you will probably need to do a little cleaning up after it as well.

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. They are small and very curious creatures. They will soon find their way into small spaces. Usually if their head will fit into a space, their bodies will too.

Start to ferret-proof by first crawling around your home on your hands and knees to look for small holes, crevices, loose ventilation covers, etc. You need to check every room your ferret will soon be exploring themselves.

Don’t forget to include your appliances when you look for places that ferrets can get inside of. Because ferrets are extremely good climbers, and very curious creatures, anything can become a “play area” for them.

Ferrets could be able to get up into the workings of some types of refrigerators and could possibly 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 can also be potentially dangerous for ferrets. ferrets can easily get through the fabric lining and up inside some couches.

Some ferret owners would love to have their ferrets to be able to run around their homes for exercise. But the most important thing for your new ferret 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.