Safety First: Taking Your Ferrets Outside
Taking your ferrets outside can be a very enriching experience for them, but it's important to always keep safety first. The following is a list of outdoor hazards for our fuzzy friends and what you can do to keep your ferret safe.
Hazard: Disease, including canine distemper, rabies, and parasitic infection
Solution: Keep your ferret up to date on his vaccinations. Wash his feet when you come inside from a walk, and carry alcohol wipes so you can clean his feet immediately if he steps in another animal's stool.
Hazard: Fleas & Ticks
Solution: Use a flea and tick preventive or spray your ferret with a flea and tick spray before going for a walk.
Hazard: Heartworm
Solution: Check with your veterinarian to see if heartworm is a problem in your area, and if it is, use a heartworm preventive such as Ivermectin, Revolution, or Heartgard for Cats. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you what the proper dosage is.
Hazard: Predators such as dogs, cats, wild animals, and birds of prey
Solution: Always be on guard when taking your ferret out, and pick him up immediately if another animal approaches.
Hazard: Heatstroke
Solution: Never take your ferret outside when it is warmer than 78° F, and always bring a carrier to provide shelter from the sun and heat and water.
Hazard: Escape
Solution: Always use a harness and lead when taking your ferrets outdoors. If you play on staying in one area, consider using a playpen. You may think you can catch your ferret if he starts to run away, but it just isn't worth the risk. Many ferret owners lose their ferrets every year because of this misconception.
Hazard: Injury from being stepped on or kicked by a human
Solution: Pick your ferret up and carry him in areas of heavy foot traffic such as crosswalks, sidewalks, and any other areas with lots of people.
Hazard: Contact with fertilizers and weed killers
Solution: The best way to avoid this issue is to keep your ferret in your yard where you known fertilizers and weed killers haven't been used. Another option is to take him to a park where they must post if these items are put down.
