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Frequently Ferrets |#1 Food and Disease|

Writer's picture: Elyse Fancy PantsElyse Fancy Pants

Welcome to Frequently Ferrets! This will be a 5 part blog series made up of frequently asked questions about ferrets. In this blog, questions about food and diseases will be discussed.



1. "Do I need to vaccinate my ferret?"

Ferrets need to be vaccinated for rabies between the ages of 3-4 months. Then should be given annually. Rabies is usually transmitted through the bite of an already infected animal. It can also be transmitted through a scratch or a lick to an open wound.

Along with rabies, young ferrets (also known as kits) must have a series of vaccines for CDV (canine distemper virus). The vaccines should be given between 6-13 weeks of age. After this, the vaccines become annual. Unfortunately, CDV is fatal if your ferret contracts it. It can be transmitted through dogs, clothing, or airborne exposure.

It should be known that you should not get all of these vaccines all at once. This can potentially harm your ferret. Ferrets are not fully vaccinated when they leave the pet store. They have most likely had their first vaccine and still need to get the rest. Rabies and CDV are just the main vaccines that are essential. Please, speak to a vet About what they would recommend.


2. "Can I get sick from my ferret?"


Unfortunately yes. Like all animals, ferrets carry and transmit bacterias that can potentially harm humans. For example, Salmonella, ringworm fungus, Giardia, and campylobacteriosis are all potential hazards to ferret handlers. This means that hand washing after touching a ferret is super important. For those who have been bitten, disinfect the area, and if the skin has been broken, contact a vet for help.



3. "What do ferrets eat?"

Ferrets are carnivores. Strict carnivores. Chicken, Lamb, Beef, Rabbit, Turkey neck, you name it. You should limit the amount of fruits and veggies you give to your ferret as they are high in fiber. Kitten food is a good option as it is high in protein and relatively cheap. Kitten food has a higher protein and nutrition content than regular cat food, so kitten food is more beneficial. Dog food is not advised for ferrets due to its vegetable protein content. Ferrets cannot digest this. Dog food generally has an 18-20% protein content and 5.5-7% of fat. A ferret's diet should have around 32-39% protein and a 15-20% fat content.


4. "Can ferrets eat fish?'

As stated before, ferrets are heavy carnivores. But is fish in the picture for them?

Fish is safe for ferrets, but they would not naturally eat it. This means that your ferret might not have a taste for it.


To Conclude...

All ferrets are different! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment! We'll try to respond within a few days. Ferrets are hard to care for. Don't be scared to ask for help!


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