Ferret health and welfare

Make sure your ferret is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease 

Facts 

• Feeding ferrets a proper diet will help to prevent illness (see Diet).
   
• Female ferrets will stay in season if they are not mated with during the entire breeding season (this is generally for 6 months, from March to September in the UK). This means that female ferrets that have not been neutered have a high risk of becoming severely ill.
   
• Male ferrets that have not been neutered may display more aggressive behaviour, especially during the breeding season and when in contact with females.
   
• Ferrets are vulnerable to many infectious diseases, such as canine distemper, and other diseases, such as adrenal disease.
   
• People can transmit some diseases, such as the flu, to their ferrets and vice versa.
   
• Ferrets will develop a strong body odour when mature, especially hobs.
   
• Ferrets feel pain in the same way as other mammals, including people.
   
• A change in the way a ferret normally behaves can be an early sign it is ill or in pain. Signs of discomfort or pain in a ferret include reluctance to move, weight loss, anorexia, trembling, collapse, crying, whimpering, and teeth grinding.
   
• Signs that your ferret may be suffering from stress or fear can include fleeing, hissing, over grooming, biting, and hiding.
   
• Ferrets that are stressed are much more likely to become ill.
   
• A ferret which can be easily identified, e.g. via a microchip, is more likely to be reunited with its owner if lost and to receive prompt veterinary care if injured.

Things you should do

• Get your ferret neutered if you do not intend to breed from him/her. Jills and hobs can be neutered surgically or there are chemical contraception methods available. Ask your vet’s advice about what is the best option for your ferrets. For more information see
  Neutering and contraception methods for ferrets (PDF 135 KB). 
   
• Neutering your ferret will also prevent him/her from developing a strong body odour.
   
• Take your ferret for a routine health check at your vets at least once each year to check for diseases and for vaccination against canine distemper.
   
• Check your ferret for signs of illness or injury every day, and make sure this is done by someone else if you are away. This includes checking your ferret’s nails, coat and skin on a regular basis. Also observe your ferret’s behaviour every day. If their behaviour changes, if he/she shows regular signs of stress or fear or if you are in any doubt about your ferret’s health, seek advice from a vet or clinical animal behaviourist.
   
• Ensure that your ferret’s nails are an appropriate length.
   
• Give your ferret treatment for external and internal parasites as necessary, as advised by your vet, and treat any pet dogs or cats you have too.
   
• Ensure your ferret’s coat is kept in good condition by grooming it regularly. If you are unsure how to groom it properly seek advice from a pet care specialist.
   
• Consider taking out pet insurance to ensure your ferret is covered if he/she needs veterinary treatment.
   
• Feed your ferret a proper diet (see Diet) as this will help prevent a lot of common diseases. If your ferret’s eating or drinking habits change, seek advice from your vet, straight away as your ferret could be seriously ill.
   
• Before deciding to buy a ferret make sure you find out how he/she has been bred, what he/she has been fed and how he/she has been cared for. Make sure you know if the ferret has had any health or behaviour problems before making a decision about buying him/her and always check with a vet, if you are unsure about anything.
   
• Only use medicines that have been specifically recommended for your ferret by a vet. Some medicines used in other animals can be very dangerous to ferrets.
   
• Make sure your ferret can be identified, ideally via a microchip (ask your vet, for advice), so he/she can be returned to you if lost and treated quickly if injured.