A ferret may be an unconventional choice for a pet, but they can form an unbreakable bond with their owners in the right environment and with proper care. Their playful yet inquisitive demeanour makes them similar to dogs, but they might be somewhat less active – they do sleep for up to 20 hours a day, after all. When they’re awake, they have boundless curiosity and definitely require a lot of attention, otherwise, they get restless. With this in mind, here is the information you must know if you hope to own a ferret or have recently begun caring for one.

Why should you own a ferret?

Though they might not be for every pet owner, ferrets are worth more than their sometimes-negative image can suggest. Their playful antics are often entertaining, and seeing them scurry around is sure to boost your mood on the days you need it most. Any pet is sure to help with this, but a ferret (or ferrets) could make you particularly joyful with their relentless affection. On top of this, they’re small and quiet, meaning they should slot into the home without too much disruption, and you can reliably litter-train them and easily feed them.

Helping ferrets stay social

Ferrets are a relatively easy pet to keep, but there is still much you should know about how to help them be at their best. First and foremost, we recommend that you keep multiple ferrets if possible – they’re very sociable and this means they benefit a lot from time with other ferrets. They can bounce off of some other pets, but for example, you shouldn’t keep a ferret in the same home as a rodent or rabbit as the ferret’s scent will scare them.

Though ferrets love their human owners, they thrive with one another. If you only have one ferret, you will definitely have to do what you can to spend time with them while they’re awake. Otherwise, your ferret might acquire behavioural issues such as anxiety or stress that inhibit their ability to engage with their own species.

How to feed a ferret

Ferret food is available at many pet shops, and their status as obligate carnivores means any diet should emphasise protein and fat. If you venture outside of food specifically for ferrets, keep in mind that they are lactose intolerant and cannot eat chocolate, dog food or processed meats including ham. It’s also important to note that ferrets sometimes hide food – to keep their housing clean, you’ll have to make sure you check for this. Ferrets will also need constant access to drinking water, and you must change this regularly, though their limited activity for most of the day means this isn’t too big an issue.

Whether your ferret has company or not, it always helps to give them a hand when it comes to stress – for this reason, Pet Remedy offers a wide range of natural calming products. These are suitable for all mammals, and a new ferret might benefit from some help settling in. Visit our online store to browse our natural calming products.