The Ferret Store Official Blog - Ferret News & Info

When you're looking at active, energetic kits in the pet store or bringing home a younger ferret from a shelter, it's important to keep in mind that in a few years, your ferret will be older and will probably need a much more intensive level of care. A ferret is considered a senior sitizen at four and elderly at six.

What are some of the things you may have to do for an older ferret?

• Do supplemental feedings throughout the day
• Administer multiple medications
• Be prepared for significantly increased veterinary expenditures

As your ferret ages, you will need to make changes to accomodate her changing lifestyle. Some of these adjustments may include:

• Rearrange the cage to eliminate any possible sources of injury
• Make sure the floors and ramps are well padded
• Provide more bedding that sits on the floor of the cage, such as sleep sacks, beds, and blankets
• Put puppy pads in the cage if your ferret suffers from incontinence

Even if your ferret has been completely healthy before, it is highly likely that she will develop one of the common ferret diseases. These include adrenal disease, insulinoma, cardiomyopathy, and lymphoma. Always keep an eye on your ferret's stool, activity levels, and food intake so you will notice change as soon as possible.

While all of this sounds rather intimidating, there are many upsides to being the parent of an elderly ferret. Older ferrets are very sweet and loving, and many will like to cuddle with you. The bond that you have with your old ferret will be much stronger than the bond you have with a younger ferret because older ferrets respond so much to the care and love you give them.

If you have just brought home a young ferret and are wondering if you did the right thing, don't worry! You have a long time to prepare yourself before your ferret becomes a senior citizen, and not all ferrets slow down significantly until they are six or seven years old. Some ferrets still act like they're one when they're six! All of the above information is important to know because you must be prepared for all possibilities when it comes to ferret ownership.