Super Pet Clean Cage Wipes and Spray are convenient, nontoxic cleaners that are ideal for cleaning ferret cages. The spray acts quickly to neutralize odors and easily removes debris stuck to the cage, while the wipes are great for quick clean ups between full cleanings.

If you're tired of smelling your ferret's cage, Super Pet Clean Cage ferret sanitation products, available individually or in a kit, are sure to do the trick.

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.

8 in 1 FerretSheen Shampoo contains natural enzymes and powerful micro-deodorizers to control odors. Aloe Vera and jojoba oil are added to the product to condition your ferret's skin and coat and give it a beautiful shine. With its fresh cucumber melon scent, it leaves your ferret smelling great.

But what can you use between baths to combat odors? Ferrets should be bathed no more than once a month, and sometimes they can get a little pungent! 8 in 1 FerretSheen Deodorizing & Conditioning Spray is the answer to that problem. It will keep your ferret smelling fresh between baths without drying out his coat. Simply spray your ferret from head to tail and comb or massage his coat thoroughly to work the spray in.

8 in 1 FerretSheen Shampoo and FerretSheen Deodorizing Spray are great for keeping your ferret smelling clean and looking great all the time!

While it hasn't been definitively proven that a diet high in carbohydrates causes insulinoma, it is just common sense that a ferret's body cannot handle a lot of sugar. They are obligate carnivores, and they get their nutrition from animal fats and proteins. Constantly feeding a high sugar diet overworks the beta cells in the pancreas, which affects insulin production. Regardless of whether or not this causes insulinoma, it is unhealthy as well as unnecessary, given how many healthy ferret treats and foods are available.

So does this mean that sugary treats should never be given to ferrets? If your ferret is on a diet high in animal fats and proteins and low in carbohydrates, giving him a special sugary treat a few times a year or even once a month isn't going to kill him. Of course, by this we don't mean that you should dump an entire canister of Yogies in front of him and let him eat as many as he wants. But a couple every now and again aren't going to be fatal. Plus, if you always feed healthy, meat based treats, you may find that your ferret turns his nose up at sugary treats anyway!

Some sugary treats that can be given in very strict moderation are:

• Yogurt treats
• Peanut butter treats
• Nonacidic fruits such as melons, bananas, and papaya
• Low salt, low sugar cereals like Kix or Cheerios

If you do give your ferrets any of the above treats, it should only be a couple very small pieces.

There is one situation where sugary treats should never be given, and that is if your ferret has insulinoma. Ferrets with insulinoma absolutely must have a sugar free diet to prevent dangerous fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Never give your insulinomic ferret a sugary treat, no matter how cute he looks when he begs!

If you are at all concerned that giving your ferret a sugary treat may hurt him, don't do it! The point of this post is not to encourage you to feed sugary treats. There are many healthy treats available that are a much better alternative for our ferrets. But if you feed a couple sugary treats once in a while, you are not a bad ferret owner, and you are not going to kill your ferret. Just make sure that your ferret's kibble and treats that are given daily meet all of his nutritional requirements, and feed any sugar treats in only the strictest moderation.

To read more about choosing a healthy ferret diet, check out the following articles:
Making Healthy Choices
Don't Shortchange Your Ferret's Nutrition: The Importance of Quality Ferret Food
Ferret Treats: Compare Ingredients by Brand
Healthy Treats for Your Favorite Ferret

G-Whiz for Ferrets is made from natural ingredients, and it works to create good bacterial colonization in your ferret's digestive tract. The colonies it creates neutralizes odors where they begin - inside your ferret. Made from the Yucca plant, G-Whiz helps to eliminate waste, breath, and gas odors. Many odor products only mask noxious odors, but G-Whiz actually eradicates them completely. Simply add G-Whiz to your ferret's water bowl daily, and within a short amount of time, you will find there is a noticeable difference in the smell of your ferret's urine and feces.

Because it is made from natural ingredients, G-Whiz is completely safe for your ferrets. It will not noticeably change the taste of the drinking water, and it will even aid in even more effective digestion, so it's beneficial to your ferret as well as to you.

If you clean your cage daily and you're tired of still being able to smell the litter box, try G-Whiz for ferrets today!

The weasel war dance, or happy weasel war dance, is how a ferret asks you or another animal to play with her. Sometimes a ferret will even dance with an inanimate object that they run into or that startles them.

When a ferret war dances, she jumps back and forth with her mouth open and her back arched. She will turn her head back and forth as she bounces around, and she may also "dook" while she dances. A dook is a cross between a chatter and a chuckle. If your ferret is young or has minimal or no bite training, she may nip lightly at you while she dances.

Some ferrets will get so into their war dancing that they will flip themselves over or dance right off the edge of a chair or a couch. Most will hit the ground still dancing! It's a delightful display of joy and excitement.

So there you have it! Next time your ferret starts to jump around in front of you, accept her invitation - get down on the floor and play with her!

• Use it anywhere that accepts Visa.
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It's easy to apply! You can apply for instant credit during checkout, or fill out the online application.

There are a number of Advantage privileges you will enjoy as a cardholder, including, but not limited to:

• No annual fee
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For more information or to apply, visit Drs. Foster & Smith.

In addition to the opportunity to apply for a Drs. Foster and Smith Visa card, there is also another great new option you can apply for during checkout - bill me later with a 90 days/same as cash promotion. As of May 1st, this option will be available over the phone as well, but it is currently only available for our online customers.

But this ferret carrier isn't just good for car travel, it's also great for airline travel. Pet Den Ferret Travel Carriers are compliant with airline policies regarding ventilation, food, and water.

Additional features include:

• Reversible, electroplated steel door
• Reinforced side walls
• Easy open and close lock

The Pet Den Ferret Travel Crate comes in three sizes: petite, small, and medium, and it is available in Blue/Clay color.

Albino:
A ferret that is all white and has pink eyes because it lacks pigmentation.

Alpha Ferret:
The dominant ferret in the group.

Altered:
A spayed or neutered ferret.

Blown coat:
A ferret that blows her coat loses most or all of her guard hairs, leaving her coat with a light, patchy appearance.

Bonded ferrets:
Ferrets, usually cagemates, that have formed a very close bond with each other.

Bottlebrush tail:
When all the hair on the tail sticks straight out because the ferret is excited or upset.

Business:
A group of ferrets.

Descented:
A ferret whose anal scent glands have been removed.

Dook:
A noise that a ferret makes that sounds like a mix between a chuckle and a chatter.

Ferreting:
Hunting with ferrets.

Ferretproofing:
The process of making your ferret's play area safe for her.

Flat ferret:
When a ferret suddenly lays flat on the ground.

Free roam:
When ferrets have the entire house to play and/or live in.

Guard hairs:
The longer, stiffer hairs on the top of your ferret's coat.

Intact:
An unspayed or unneutered ferret.

Kibble:
The commercially prepared dry food that your ferret eats.

Kit:
A baby ferret.

Mustelid:
A member of the family Mustelidae - in this case, a ferret!

Natural diet:
Feeding of whole prey, meat, and bone in an attempt to more accurately simulate a ferret's natural dietary practices.

Obligate carnivore:
An animal, in this case a ferret, that must eat meat and other animal products to get the nutrition it needs.

Poof:
A slang term used to describe when a ferret that has not been descented releases its anal glands.

Rat tail:
When a ferret loses some or all of hair on her tail, and the skin is covered with small black or brownish red spots.

Sable:
The most common ferret coat color, characterized by brown guardhairs and a creamy undercoat.

War dance:
When a ferret bounces around, jumping and twisting in the air.

Marshall Time Out! Behavioral Spray for Ferrets is a ferret training spray that stops destructive chewing, nipping, and biting. Its incredibly bitter formula is veterinarian-recommended as an excellent complement to any bite-training regimen. It is 100% safe and effective, and you can use it directly on your skin.

Behavioral sprays such as Time Out! are beneficial because they help your ferret to associate biting with negative consequences. They more clearly outline the contrast between praise for desired behavior and negative consequences for unwanted behavior. Simply spray some of the Time Out! directly on the area (skin, feet, ankles) that your ferret keeps biting.

To read more about how to bite train your ferret, including the use of behavioral training sprays, check out Training Your Ferret Not to Bite.

Always start the training in an area she is comfortable in, such as her regular play area. Put the harness on her for five minutes at a time and give her a treat while she's wearing it. As she becomes used to wearing it, you can increase the amount of time she has it on. Remember to always reward her with a treat while she's wearing it so she will associate having it on with something good. Never yell at her or punish her if she tries to take it off, as she will then think of wearing it as an unpleasant experience.

Take your time training her to wear her harness and allow her to go at her own pace. Older ferrets will usually take longer to harness train, especially if they've never worn one before. Always supervise her when she is wearing her harness to make sure she doesn't get it caught on something and injure herself.

The best harness to use is an H-style harness, such as the Marshall Ferret Harness. Make sure the harness is made from a secure, durable material such as nylon. Avoid harnesses that use velcro closures, as your ferret could easily escape from them. Plastic or metal buckles are most common, and plastic is more comfortable than metal because it won't heat up as much in the sun.

For more information about leash or harness training, read Leash Training Your Ferret.]]> http://www.theferretstore.com/2008/03/how_to_harness_train_your_ferr.html http://www.theferretstore.com/2008/03/how_to_harness_train_your_ferr.html Training Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:29:00 -0500 Super Pet Clip & Trim Nail Trimmers for Ferrets are easy to use and easy to store. The clippers have a long-lasting stainless steel blade that is notched for quick, safe trimming. The clipper holder has a magnetic backing that you can use to attach the clippers to your ferret's cage, your fridge, or anywhere other metal surface that will remind you to clip nails regularly, plus it's in the fun shape of a ferret!

You should trim your ferret's nails at least once every couple weeks, and with these ready to use Super Pet ferret nail clippers, it's easy to keep up with a grooming schedule!

To learn more about how to clip your ferret's nails, read our helpful article Nail Trimming Tips for Ferrets.]]> http://www.theferretstore.com/2008/03/super_pet_clip_trim_nail_trimm.html http://www.theferretstore.com/2008/03/super_pet_clip_trim_nail_trimm.html Ferret Products Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:19:52 -0500 Last week we discussed ferret colors and how to tell what color your ferret is. This week we're going to get into the trickier subject of ferret patterns. "Color" refers to the color of the coat (guard hairs and undercoat), while "pattern" refers to how exactly that color is distributed or concentrated on your ferret. None of the ferret patterns discussed below are natural markings. They have all been developed through selective breeding by humans.

There are two groups of basic patterns that you may see. The color concentration patterns include roans, points/siamese, and solids. There is also a group of white markings that include mitts, blazes, and pandas.

Color Concentration Patterns

ROAN
Roan ferrets have 50% to 60% colored guard hairs and 40% to 50% white guard hairs. What their masks look like will depend on what color they are. You may see Black Roans (Silver), Black Sable Roans, Champagne Roans, Chocolate Roans, Cinnamon Roans, and Sable Roans.

POINT OR SIAMESE
These ferrets are easily identifiable by their dark tails and legs, or "points." Their bodies are significantly lighter. Their mask is usually a thin "V." You may see Black Points, Champagne Points, Chocolate Points, Cinnamon Points, and Sable Points.

SOLID
Solid ferrets appear to have a solid coat color because their undercoat doesn't show through. They should have a full or a T mask. You can see Black Solids, Black Sable Solids, Champagne Solids, Chocolate Solids, Cinnamon Solids, and Sable Solids.

White Marking Patterns

MITT
"Mitts" are white feet, and the word can refer to white tipped paws, completely white feet, or anything in between. Any color ferret can have mitts, and because of this, masks and other patterns the ferret may have differ widely. Mitts may also have white bibs, knee patches, and tail tips.

BLAZE
A ferret with a distinctive white stripe of fur down the middle of its head is known as a blaze. The blaze should run from the middle of the forehead down to the shoulders. Blazes often have rings of colors around their eyes rather than a full mask. Other markings they may have include white mitts, knee patches, and tail tips. The rest of their coat can be any color other than white.

PANDA
A "Panda" ferret is one that has a completely white head that extends down to the shoulders. Pandas may have colored smudges around their eyes, and colored guard hairs should form the shape of a saddle on their backs. Other white markings can include mitts, knee patches, and tail tips.

Some ferrets will have clearly defined patterns, while others don't seem to fit into any category. The above pattern descriptions are the accepted standards for showing ferrets, so your patterned ferret may not necessarily fit the criteria exactly.

For more information about determining your ferret's color and pattern, read Colors & Patterns in Ferrets: What Color is My Ferret?.]]> http://www.theferretstore.com/2008/03/what_pattern_is_my_ferret.html http://www.theferretstore.com/2008/03/what_pattern_is_my_ferret.html Ferret Help Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:53:51 -0500 Accidentally clipping your ferret's nail too short is inevitable; it's happened to every ferret owner at least once, and it will probably happen again. This is why it's important that you keep a ferret safe styptic product handy every time you clip nails. Styptic powders, gels, and pads will help to close the wound faster, promoting quick healing and preventing infection that can occur when a ferret uses a litter box with an open wound.

Our styptic products are safe for ferrets, easy to use, and painless for your pet.

Drs. Foster and Smith CutStop® Styptic Pads for Ferrets

• For toenails and small wounds
• Place directly on affected area for easy application
• Stops bleeding instantly

Gimborn Pet Kwik Stop Styptic Gel for Ferrets

• Convenient applicator bottle
• Works instantly by forming instant gel barrier
• No stinging or burning

Kwik Stop Styptic Powder

• Easy application directly to nail
• Convenient powder form
• Quickly stops bleeding

To learn about how to properly cut your ferret's nails, read Nail Trimming Tips for Ferrets.

ALBINO
Albinos lack pigmentation. Their coats range from pure white to yellowish white (as a result of oils, not coloring), and their eyes are red or pink.

SABLE
Sables are the most common ferrets. They have dark guard hairs and a cream undercoat. Their eyes are brown or almost black. They have a dark mask around their eyes, and the rest of their face is white or cream.

BLACK SABLE
Black sables have guard hairs so dark they appear black. Their undercoat is white or cream, but it doesn't show through their guard hairs. Their eyes are dark brown or black, and they don't have a mask.

CHOCOLATE
Chocolates are a kind of sable, but unlike a normal sable, they have chocolate brown guard hairs. Their undercoats are white or slightly golden, and their eyes are brown or burgandy.

CHAMPAGNE
Champagnes are a variation on chocolates. They have tan or light chocolate brown guard hairs and a cream or white undercoat. Their eyes are a shade of burgandy.

CINNAMON
Cinnamons are rare. They have light brown guard hairs with a reddish tint, but the actual coat color can look like anything from reddish brown to almost blonde. Their eyes are light or dark burgandy.

DARK-EYED WHITE
Also known as Black-eyed whites, Dark-eyed Whites (or DEWs) have white fur that can range in color from true white to yellowish white. It may have some dark guard hairs sprinkled in. Their eyes can be burgandy, brown, or black.

SILVER
"Silver" covers a wide variation of coat colors. Guard hairs can be silver, dark grey, and white. Some silvers have an obvious pattern all over their bodies, and some will just have silver rings around their tails. Many silvers will eventually roan out to DEWs.

For more information about coat colors, read Colors & Patterns in Ferrets.

]]> http://www.theferretstore.com/2008/03/what_color_is_my_ferret.html http://www.theferretstore.com/2008/03/what_color_is_my_ferret.html Ferret Help Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:58:40 -0500