Ferrets Size

Question
QUESTION: just curious what the normal size like weight & length of about a year or 2yr old female ferret would be. i seen some ferrets at a pet store tonight & she's tiny compared to them so im just curious

ANSWER: Hello Whitney,

Thank you for asking!  Ferrets are a sexually  dimorphic species which means that males tend to be much larger than the females.  It is not unusual to have a small female weigh 1.5 pounds and a  large male at four.  This is is a generalization; there are large girls and small boys as well!  A lot depends on genetics, diet, exercise, the flux of seasons, and how young they were altered.

Length will also vary considerably even within the same sex.  On average a ferret is about 20 inches long including the tail.  This statistic undoubtedly includes males, so your girl will be girl if she is naturally small.  

As long as your vet thinks she is a good weight for her size, there is no cause of concern.  Some females are TINY, and it is a striking difference against some of the big boys!

I do have a question for you.  What food are you using? Ferrets require a VERY specific diet, and most pet foods (even ferret brands) are VERY unhealthy and can lead to serious medical problems.  

If you would like more info on food, please visit the link below.  It is a question I previously answered regarding proper nutrition.  

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ferrets-2277/2009/5/picky-eater-3.htm

-Cindy P.   


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: what food would you suggest best?

Answer
I create a mixture of three of the brands since no one particular is perfect.  My current diet is a 1:1:1 ratio of Feline Core Wellness, Serengetti Cat and Blue Buffalo.  Information on these three can be found at the following links, as well as several other good brands.  

Wysong Archetypal-1 (beef) or Archetypal-2 (chicken)
http://www.wysong.net/products/archetypal-1-natural-healthy-ferret-food.php
http://www.wysong.net/products/archetypal-2-natural-healthy-ferret-food.php

Wellness Core Feline
http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/cat_wellness_dry_core.html

Innova Ferret EVO (Or cat version if not available)
http://www.evopet.com/products/default.asp?id=1502

Serengetii Cat (Timberwolf brand)
http://www.timberwolforganics.com/Pet-Foods/Serengetii

Wilderness by Blue Buffalo
http://www.bluebuff.com/products/cats/wilderness-cat.shtml

The easiest to find is the Wellness Core, since it is readily advailable at any Petsmart or Petco.  It is a very good brand, but I would recammend mixing more than one if possible.  

Refer back to the pervious link (http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ferrets-2277/2009/5/picky-eater-3.htm) for information on how to transition between diets.

-Cindy P.