Index

The Ferret FAQ is available as a set of HTML documents, a single HTML file [259 kB] or plain text (by FTP).

Also see:

• What's New in the Ferret FAQ
• Some mostly useless access statistics

• The Ferret Photo Gallery
• Ferret Central: the overall index of ferret information

Part 1: About Ferrets and This FAQ

0. About this FAQ

• Where to get this FAQ
• Goal of this FAQ
• Credits and editor's notes
• Ferret FAQ copyright and redistribution information

1. Where to get more information

• Is there a shorter FAQ to hand out at meetings? Are there FAQs for particular diseases?
• How can I find a ferret breeder/shelter/vet/catalog?
• What mailing lists are there, and how do I join?
• What about interactive online chats?
• Where can I find pictures or clip-art of ferrets online?
• Is there any other information available online?
• What are some of the books available?
• How do I start a ferret club or shelter?

2. Revision history of these files

• Revision history

3. Introduction to ferrets

• What are ferrets? Do they make good pets?
• Are ferrets wild? Why are there ferret permits?
• Are ferrets legal where I live? Do I need a license?
• I'm allergic to cats. Will I be allergic to ferrets?
• How long do ferrets live?
• How much do ferrets cost?
• Do ferrets smell bad? What can I do about it?
• Is a ferret a good pet for a child?
• What are the different ferret colors?
• What do you call a ferret male/female/baby/group?
• How can I help the ferret community?

Part 2: Ferret Care

4. Getting a pet ferret

• Which color is the best? Male or female? What age?
• Is this ferret male or female?
• How many should I get? All at once, or one at a time?
• Where can I get a pet ferret? What should I look for?
• What are these little blue dots on my ferret's ear? What's the deal with Marshall Farms?
• How do I introduce a new ferret to my established one(s)?
• Will my ferret get along with my other pets?

5. Getting ready for your ferret

• How can I best ferretproof my home? What do I need to worry about?
• How can I protect my carpet, plants, or couch?
• What will I need to take care of my new ferret?
• Do I need a cage? Where can I get one? How should I set it up?
• Any suggestions on toys?
• What kind of collar/bell/tag/leash should I use?

6. Ferret supplies

• What should I feed my ferret?
• Should I give my ferret any supplements?
• What are good treats?
• What kind of litter should I use?
• Pet stores use wood shavings as bedding. Should I?

Part 3: Training and Behavior

7. Basic ferret care and training

• How do I train my pet not to nip?
• I'm having problems litter-training. What do I do?
• How can I get my ferret to stop digging?
• How can I stop my ferret from digging in his food or water?
• Any advice on baths, ears, and nail-clipping?

8. Things ferrets say and do

• What games do ferrets like to play?
• Can I teach my ferret tricks? How?
• My ferret trembles a lot. Is that normal?
• My ferret is losing hair!
• Is he really just asleep?
• What does such-and-such a noise mean?
• What else should I probably not worry about?
• Do ferrets travel well?
• Help! My ferret is lost!

Part 4: Health Care

9. Basic health care

• Do I need to spay/neuter my pet? How about descenting? Declawing?
• What vaccinations will my ferret need, and when?
• Can I vaccinate my own ferrets?
• What kind of checkups should my ferret be having?
• What should I look for when I check over my ferret myself?
• Do I need to brush my ferret's teeth?
• Is my ferret overweight (or underweight)? What can I do?
• Are ferrets really as prone to disease as it seems?
• How do I contact Dr. Williams? I hear he'll help with diagnoses.
• What special needs do older ferrets have?

10. Problems to watch for and related information

• What warning signs of disease should I look for?
• Why does my ferret scratch so much?
• What do I do for my ferret's prolapsed rectum?
• My ferret's had funny-looking stools for a few days. What's wrong?
• What is that huge bruised-looking or orangish patch?
• My ferret is going bald (tail only or all over).
• What are these little (black oily)/(red waxy)/(orange crusty) spots on my ferret's tail/skin?
• How well do ferrets handle heat? What about cold?
• How can I get rid of these fleas?
• How do I tell if my ferret has ear mites? What do I do about them?
• Do I need to worry about heartworms?
• Is there an animal poison control hotline?

Part 5: Medical Overview

11. Common health problems

• Common diseases in ferrets
• Overview of common health problems
  • Noninfectious
  • Parasitic health problems
  • Infectious diseases
  • Neoplasia (Cancer)

12. General medical information

• Do I need to worry about toxoplasmosis?
• How can I get my ferret to take this medication?
• Where can I get medications at a discount?
• Can ferrets have transfusions?
• What anesthetic should my vet be using?
• How do I care for my sick or recovering ferret?
• My ferret won't eat. What should I do?
• What's Duck Soup? Anyone have a recipe?
• What are normal body temperature, blood test results, etc.?
• What tests might my vet want to run, and why?

13. Medical reference material

• Who makes this product or medication?
• What books can I get or recommend to my vet?
• Are there any other useful references?

Medical FAQs

• Adrenal Disease
• Heart Disease (Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure)
• Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (Green Mystery Virus)
• Insulinoma (Islet Cell Tumors)
• Lymphosarcoma
• Skin Tumors
• Splenomegaly (Enlarged Spleen)
• Gastric Ulcers and Helicobacter mustelae

Other FAQs

• Natural History