New Ferret Tips
After much research and soul-searching you have decided that a ferret is the pet for you. They can be a wonderful addition to your home and your life. They are intelligent and able to be trained like a cat to use a litter box. There are a few precautions you need to take before you let your new ferret have free rein of your house.
It is common sense to never let a new animal loose in your home unattended. It takes time for it to become familiar with its surroundings while in the cage before you consider letting your ferret free in your home. An important skill for your ferret to learn is how to use the litter box. Litter box training can take several hours per day for 2-3 months. It varies from ferret to ferret but most trained ferrets end up using the litter box about 75% of the time. Although there are ferrets who use the litter box every time, but with most you will occasionally find a “present” in the house. Your success in litter box training your ferret is directly proportionate to the amount of time you invest in it.
Start by allowing your ferret to run around a small room such as a bathroom. It is typical for a ferret to go within a few minutes of eating or awakening. When your ferret awakens, put him in the litter box. Don’t allow him to leave until he has relieved himself. When your ferret has successfully used the litter box immediately give him a treat. The trick is for him to associate going to the bathroom with a treat.
Ferrets do not respond well to physical punishment. As a result, do not punish them if they have an accident in the house. It will only serve to make them fear you and they will not make the connection between their bad behavior and the punishment. The price you pay for letting your ferret have freedom to run around the house is an occasional mess to clean up after them.
In preparation for your ferret to run free in the house you must take steps to “ferret proof” your house. By “ferret proofing” I mean taking steps to protect your ferret from harm. Ferrets are small and curious. They will explore small spaces. A guideline is if their head fits into a space, the rest of their body will as well. Start “ferret proofing” by exploring your house on your hands and knees looking for small holes. Check every room your ferret will have access to. Don’t neglect to check your appliances for holes and small crawl-able spaces. Ferrets are not only curious but very good climbers as well. Anything is a potential play area for your ferret. They may be able to crawl inside refrigerators, dryer tubing and vents. They can crawl under couches and up inside to the springs.
It is tempting to think that running around the house increases the amount of exercise your ferret will get. But, it is more important that your ferret is able to have a safe environment in which to run and play.
