How long do ferrets live in captivity?

Ferrets are relatively looked like wolverine, ermines, minks, and weasels. But this furry creature is small, cone-shaped nose, long tail with long pear body and short legs and long claws make him a ferret. In this topic, we will know how long do ferrets live in captivity.

They are popular and controversial pets until they can be socialized at a young age. They learn to see humans as friends and make a bond with them. Generally, the lifespan of the ferret is 12 years but while petting at home they survive only 6 years only.

How long do ferrets live in captivity?

If the ferrets are well-taken care with appropriate behavior and a healthy diet. They can live with you up to 6-10 years. As living in wild decreases the life to 3-5 years. Learn more how long do ferrets live in captivity?

Reasons for staying long in captivity

Pets are not easy to adopt and keeping at home. You have to train them, feed them, and wash their place of living, their cage. Special care and many more tasks related to that.

Ferrets are good with no exceptions and easy to handle. If you train them once and treat them well they can stay long in the captivity. Let’s discuss the key points, how long do ferrets live in captivity?

Doesn’t require a lot of space

Ferrets need no big space to live. As they can be settled down in a small cage even. But be careful the cage shouldn’t be that small and narrow they can’t sleep in comfort.

As they do not need a park or yard in the house to romp in. But can be happy within the small apartment’s room with some toys. You should let them free of the cage for 3-4 hours a day not consecutive hours in the morning and evening.

Adapt their schedule to yours

The ferrets are schedule to sleep at night and get active in dusk and dawn. So they are easy to maintain with the city-living parents. As they can adjust to your timing.

Whenever you want to fix a time to play with them they will manage their sleeping time and play with you. When you will leave the house they will fell asleep. So there’s no need to worry about sad puppy waiting on the door.

Ferrets are litter-trainable

Only a little training in using the litter box can save you from clearing the mess around the home. As ferrets are easy to train to use the litter boxes. You can put a litter box in the corners of the cage where they usually play and can use it along.

You simply have to remember that their digestive system is very short. They can’t travel long distances to eliminate themselves. So, keep the litterbox near to their reach and clean it regularly twice a day.

Ferrets are friendly, affectionate and sociable

If you want to buy a ferret, it is recommended to buy in pairs. Otherwise, even a single ferret doesn’t matter as two ferrets increase the fun factor for you and each other.

Ferrets can play with each other when you are busy somewhere. They cannot give enough time to the ferret, despite another ferret. They still need your attention.

Sheds only twice a year

A properly groomed and healthy ferret only shed their hairs twice a year like in the spring season and winters. Due to their fur coat. They even face hair loss but since they are small in size it’s not a big issue. Vacuuming can solve it and of course cleaning its bedding and toys.

Ferrets are not noisy

Like dogs and cats. They are not noisy as they can vocalize but quiet. They make noise only when they are injured or scared. As well as, obviously they sleep large portions of the day.

No problem to stay inside all the time

Ferrets are so sensitive and have a delicate respiratory system. So that they are keeping inside the house. Because they can easily catch up with the diseases from other pets like influenza, and pneumonia.

Only some people take them to walk in the park. But always vigilant to look out for hazards like (dogs, cats, vehicles or any other thing that can harm them).

Ferrets are easy to feed

Pre-ferret food is widely available now in any pet store and online retailers. You can offer your pet a different variety of food to change their taste. It is also helpful to use quality food as the base to ensure proper nutrition to your young ferret which can help in growth and long healthy life.

Ferret have distinct personalities

Well, that’s true every ferret has its own distinctive nature. As some are independent and some are cuddly, before adopting. You will find out they have different personalities along with behavior.

Ferrets are easy to exercise

You can set a ferret-proofed room. As they can tearing around and can get the exercise freely. As you need to train them or even take them out for a stroll.

They are fast runners so you need to put a band around them & not letting them rush out and stay close.

Ferrets are dead sleepers

Ferrets need to sleep for 16- 18 hours a day. As they eventually sleep in the day time or whole night as they sleep deeply like the dead. They can also sleep fake to show you.

Ferrets use a range of methods to communicate

As ferrets are unable to speak like other animals. But they have different ways of communicating with the other ferrets and to humans. Like smelling the other ferret or making different postures to alarm you.

if you observe them closely you will get to know the signs of their need, happiness, and sickness. If you won’t understand them you cannot treat them well and give them a healthy life to live longer.

Ferrets are playful and curious

Watching ferret playing is lovely. This can lift your mood because of their joyful playing nature. As they play with their toys and treat bins to explore what is in it. It can have benefits for your health as well because of the joy they bring in your life.

So keeping them happy makes them healthy and extends the lifespan.

A balanced diet

Ferrets are carnivores they eat meat and are members of a low-carb diet. So they need a diet high in animal protein in order to stay healthy. You should not feed them with excess food or fatty things. As excessive weight can be dangerous for their health. Always use recommended food for the ferret is available in the pet store or ask your vet.

Annual examination and vaccination

If you want to keep your ferret long life. In that case, you should have your ferret examined once in a year with the proper vaccination. Such as rabies vaccination repeated annually and many other diseases are treatable if detected early.

You should have to take a test when its level of immunity is low. As your ferret may have for distemper and do not neglect the annual checkup.

Supplements

Occasional treats can help in nutritional intake and supplements like (Linatone, Ferritone, and Fer-vite). These can be used in the noxious experiences of nail trimming, spaying and any other time.

There is no need to give your ferret dietary supplement. But a variety of items can be used as treats to train, bribes or for good behavior like raisins.

Spaying

If you are petting a female ferret then you should have to spay her. Until she is going to stay alone in the home to keep her healthy. Otherwise, the estrogen level will increase and cause serious anemia.

Your ferret can die also so keep your ferret healthy, you spay her as male ferret doesn’t have such a problem. But doesn’t mean you don’t need to neuter him.

Health issues

Ferrets can be suspected as three fatal diseases;

Canine distemper

Rabies

Aleutian disease virus

Since they should be vaccinated yearly with a special vaccine created for ferrets especially. As the Aleutian disease (cold) can get from you. Prevention is necessary for the health of your ferret. Treating such issues can save their life and keep them longer live.

Otherwise, the problem can get worse. The ferret can suffer adrenal glands and pancreas issues can affect life expectancy.

Ferrets cannot tolerate high temperatures

Ferrets are so sensitive they can get heatstroke under the temperature of 85 degrees F or higher. As they cannot sweat or cool down naturally.

Caging

The ferrets can be caged for a long time In case, when you are not home or awake to supervise their activities, you can put them in a cage.

It doesn’t matter to stay in the cage until it has food, bedding and litter box in the cage. The cage should be metallic. So the ferret cannot scratch or chew up the bars of the cage and swallow to endanger their life.

Multiple level cages are easy to clean (removable shelves and floors) and to move around for the ferret along with ramps. So they can easily reach up and down.

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