Natural Pet Health

Ferrets, often considered a rare pet to own. Most individuals choose dogs, cats, birds, or fish to complete their family, however a select few turn to the ferret for its social, playful, curious qualities. Ferrets love to play and explore not only with others and their owners, but also on their own. For this reason, you need to know a few things on how to take care of a ferret.

First, you will want to ferret proof your home before you introduce them as pets. They will crawl into walls, furniture, and anywhere they can get their little bodies. It is much like childproofing a home for a baby. You will want to make sure all of the dangers are eliminated when you allow them out of their cages for playtime.

Almost everyone has heard of distemper, and most dog owners know that their pet needs some type of shot in order to protect them against this disease, but that may be the total extent of their knowledge.

As we discuss distemper in this article series, please keep in mind that the discussion will be generalized and based primarily on research findings. Averages are the basis for any vaccination recommendations and in no way reflect individual variations, individual problems, geographical peculiarities, practitioner preferences, etc.

Every program for vaccinating animals against distemper is based on compromises according to the prevalence of disease, owner convenience, cost, and many other factors. In the final analysis, the pet owner must trust his veterinarian to provide adequate protection.

Are you planning a trip? Are you taking your ferret along? Before you do, there are certain things that you must know. Traveling with a ferret is different than traveling with a cat or a dog.

First, if you are taking a car trip, your ferret will enjoy going, but he will have pent up energy that he needs to burn. Make sure that you bring along a harness and leash, and that you plan frequent stops for your ferret to ‘stretch his legs.’

Make sure that you bring along a small traveling cage (you won’t want him loose in the car), food, water, and a small litter box as well.

Many new ferret owners will quickly find themselves overwhelmed by the differences between owning a ferret and owning other, more common, pets. There are many aspects about basic ferret care and more involved health issues you should be familiar with, and there are a variety of ferret supplies that will help you maintain your ferret’s optimum health. This article will cover the most important parts of basic ferret care to help you become a great ferret owner! It’s also a great refresher for seasoned ferret owners.

Finding an Experienced Ferret Veterinarian

There are many considerations one has to make before choosing a pet for the family. While all pets require attention, there are some who demand more than others. In addition, there is the cost factor as well as making the determination as to whether or not having small children in the home is conducive to owning a pet. Before making a decision, you have to ask: Is our family ready for a pet? Let’s take a closer look at the issues.

Here is a typical scenario: It’s a beautiful spring day and you decide to take your small children into town. While there, you happen to pass a pet shop. The kids become quite excited at the puppies and kittens on display. They press their noses up against the window and begin choosing which puppy or kitten they want to bring home.

Poke n’ Peanuts

Just as much as we love to open packages, your ferret too can share in the fun! Take a box you received in the mail that’s filled with ‘packing peanuts’. Be sure to remove any other packing or shipped materials. Toss in your fuzzy! It’s like your ferrets very own ball pit. One caveat however, this is to be a HIGHLY SUPERVISED activity.

If your ferret bores from the swishing, falling, and jumping through their new play land, they may begin to chew on the peanuts. While a great game, these peanuts if ingested could cause a blockage in your ferret, so be sure to play this game with your ferret.

Dusting Mamas Floor

Cats need only be provided with decent shelter, food and water and they will be quite healthy most of the time. Like any other living thing, however, they can get sick and can come down with anything from a minor cold to a major ailment.

As a responsible pet owner, you want to make sure you feed your cat premium cat food so he can be his healthiest and also watch your cat closely for signs of sickness so that you can get him to a vet right away. Hopefully most ailments will be minor, but in some cases getting your cat expedient veterinary help can be the difference between life and death.

Some things to look for include:

What is Canine Distemper and what are the symptoms?

Canine distemper is a highly contagious, extremely serious viral disease which occurs in dogs and other wild canids (e.g.. foxes, wolves and coyotes), raccoons, skunks and ferrets.

It is an airborne virus, which affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system of the animal. Puppies between three and six months and elderly animals are particularly at risk.

Symptoms grow increasingly severe as the disease progresses, they include:

* Conjunctivitis (a watery, pus-like eye discharge) and inflammation of the eye
* Fever
* Nasal discharge
* Pneumonia (Coughing and labored breathing)_
* Lethargy
* Reduced appetite
* Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Seizures
* Hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as pain or touch)
* Muscle twitching
* Progressive deterioration of mental abilities and motor skills
* Complete or partial paralysis

Litter box training

Ferrets are not drawn to use their litter-boxes like cats, so patience and treats work best to insure a potty trained fuzzy in your home. Here’s how to do it:

1. Begin by training in a smaller space, such as your ferrets cage.

2. As with kittens, look for signs that your ferret is ready to go (such as spinning or backing into a corner) then placing them in the litter pan.

3. After each successful potty session, reward them with a treat immdediately.

4. When you feel comfortable that your ferret has the proper manners, begin placing litter-boxes throughout the areas (outside of the cage) they are allowed.

Is your ferret ill? While some illnesses are common to ferrets, and are fatal, not all illnesses that your ferret may get are fatal. He may have even caught something from you!

Yes, it’s true; ferrets are subject to our germs, unlike dogs and cats. If you are down with the flu, it is perfectly acceptable for your dog or cat to lie in bed with you and help comfort you – but if you have a ferret, you need to either quarantine yourself – or quarantine the ferret! If you don’t, not only will he be suffering with the flu, but he will also spread the flu bug back to you while you are caring for him! The same is true with the common cold – your ferret can catch it, and give the germs back to you as well.