Preparing For Your New Ferret

You have researched ferret and have decided that they are the pet for you. They are an endearing addition to anyone’s life and to your home. These amazing creatures can be trained to use a litter box just like cats. But before you let your new ferret run around your house free, you’ll have to take a few precautions.

Never take home a new ferret and immediately let them loose in your house. Before you let your ferret out of its cage, give it some time to become acclimated to your home while it’s safe and sound in its cage. This is a good time to litter train your ferret, something which is a near essential before you allow your new pet to freely wander your home. The average litter trained ferret, however, will still have the occasional accident. While there are some who have a spotless record, it’s something you’ll need to be aware of. It can take a few months of daily practice before your new ferret is litter trained, depending how much time you devote to the training. A ferret generally has to go within a few minutes of waking or eating, Right after your ferret eats or wakes up, place them in the litter box and leave them there until they’ve finished and give them a treat immediately after to reinforce the behavior. Sooner or later, your pet will become accustomed to using the litter box.

It’s important to never physically punish your ferret; they will not understand why you are doing it and will only be frightened of you.

Something else you will need to do before you ferret is allowed to run free is to “ferret proof” your home. Ferret proofing means making your home safe for a ferret. They are small and curious creatures. They will find their way into small spaces. A good rule of thumb is that if their head will fit into a space, their bodies will too. Start to ferret proof by first crawling around your home on your hands and knees to look for small holes, crevices, loose ventilation covers, etc. You need to check every room your ferret will soon be exploring themselves. Don’t forget to include appliances in checking for small holes or places that ferrets can get inside of. Because ferrets are curious creatures that are extremely good climbers, anything can be a potential “play area” for ferrets. Ferrets will be able to get up into some types of refrigerators and could potentially get hurt on the fan. The dryer tubing looks like a really fun tube for a ferret. They can rip a hole in it and get outside through the vent. Couches can also be potentially dangerous for ferrets. Some couches have thin fabric lining underneath that ferrets can easily get through and up inside of the couch to the springs.

You might want to let your new ferret get exercise and make them happy by letting them have full access to your home. However, you need to make absolutely that your home is ferret proofed before allowing your pet to explore any part of your home without close supervision.

Want to find out more about New Ferret, then visit Chris Flett’s site on how to prepare for your new ferret.