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MEET THE FERRET

Ferrets are known for their long, slinky bodies, their boundless energy, and their curiosity. They are the well-loved clowns of the pocket pet world!

Lifespan

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8 - 10 years

Diet Difficulty

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Low

Good With Kids

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Older/respectful
children

Care Difficulty

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Medium

Space Requirement

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Large

Cleanliness

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Medium

Time Needed Outside Cage

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High

Human Interaction Needs

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High

Potty Trainability

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High

Cuddliness

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Low

SUPPLY
LIST

ADOPTABLE
FERRETS

ENCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Dimensions

One ferret: 15 - 20 cubic ft

Two ferrets: 20 - 30 cubic ft

Three ferrets: 30 - 40 cubic ft

MNPPR Recommends

Double Critter Nation

Ferret Nation

Feisty Ferret

My First Home Deluxe

 

Critter Nation cages are easy to clean, customize, and move around. Plus, they come in both single and double sizes depending on how much room you have and how many ferrets you want to keep. Feisty Ferret Homes and My First Home Deluxe cages also work well if you have less space for a larger cage.

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Other Notes

Wire-sided cages are preferable because they provide plenty of ventilation and options for climbing.

Bar spacing should be no more than 1” for adult ferrets.

All cage floors, ramps, and levels should be solid or covered with fleece since standing on wire can cause injuries and bumblefoot.

MNPPR strongly recommends avoiding all wood-based beddings due to the general sensitivity of pocket pets. We like to use fleece to line the cage and cover any exposed wire floors, then use unscented paper bedding as litter placed in a litter box. Ferrets are very smart and can be trained to use a litter box, which makes cleaning even easier.

ENRICHMENT REQUIREMENTS

Essentials

water bottle

food bowl

hammock

at least one shelter/hide

litter box

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Variety

tunnels

balls

cardboard boxes

stuffed animals

cat toys

homemade toys

Other Items
ramps
pet bed
pet carrier
fleece
unscented litter (soft recycled paper
such as CareFresh, shredded paper,
or paper pellets)

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FEEDING REQUIREMENTS

Staple Diet

Always keep your ferret’s food bowl full of high-quality ferret kibble so they can eat several meals throughout the day. Ferrets are obligate carnivores meaning they require a meat-based diet and cannot properly digest food that uses vegetable protein or has a high level of grains. MN Pocket Pet Rescue recommends mixing ½ Marshall’s Premium Ferret Diet with ½ Wysong ferret food to make the most balanced diet. If your ferret is overweight, they may need fewer treats or more exercise. 

Treats

Ferrets have very specific dietary requirements, so treats should be fed with caution. Fruits, vegetables, and too much fiber can all make them sick.

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Safe Treats

cat treats

cooked, unseasoned eggs

cooked, unseasoned chicken

cooked, unseasoned turkey

cooked, unseasoned lamb

freeze-dried meats

pumpkin

Raw Meat

Some ferret keepers choose to feed their pets a raw meat diet. If you are interested in exploring this option, you must first do extensive research and speak with your ferret knowledgeable veterinarian about if this type of diet is ideal for your pets and how to safely prepare and feed it.

Unsafe Treats

bread

cheese

fizzy drinks

fruits

garlic

milk

nuts

onions

processed meat

raw beans

sugar

vegetables

DISCLAIMER

All information shared by MN Pocket Pet Rescue is researched, up to date, and accurate to the best of our ability. We are not a licensed veterinary organization and do not intend to present ourselves as such. All educational material contains our best recommendations for care specific to each species. However, all animals are different and some may have unique needs. MN Pocket Pet Rescue does not assume any liability for the well-being of any animal not under our care. Always use your best judgment and follow veterinary recommendations whenever necessary. If you have any questions or find inaccurate information please contact us.

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