Ferret News
Pet Ferret Care Tips
and Information
By Mary R. Shefferman & Eric Shefferman - along with Gabby, the ferret
www.ferretnews.com

Ferret News #63: Walking Your Ferret Safely - Inspecting Ferret Toys
May 11, 2004

by Mary R. Shefferman and Eric Shefferman
along with Gabrielle (the lone ferret)

contact: marymodernferret.com

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Walking Your Ferret Safely

By Mary R. Shefferman

  Most people keep their ferrets as they would an indoor cat -- inside the house. But sometimes it can be fun to take ferrets for a walk (which is really more like having your ferrets take you for a walk!). If you've been thinking about taking your ferret (or ferrets) out for a walk, you will need to take some precautions first and you will need the proper equipment.

Vaccinations

  Well before you take your ferret outside for a walk, make sure he is up to date on vaccinations. Canine distemper is airborne and always fatal in ferrets. If you take out an unvaccinated ferret, you're asking for trouble. You will want to wait 30 days after the vaccination to make sure that your ferret is protected.

  Make sure your ferret is also up to date on his rabies vaccination. Although it's unlikely that your ferret will get rabies, a vaccination can mean the difference between life and death if he scratches or nips a stranger. Most people will be very forgiving if your ferret is vaccinated. But if your ferret is not vaccinated, a person who is nipped might demand your ferret be tested for rabies (which can only be done by killing the ferret).

Fleas and Other Parasites

  Fleas like ferrets. If you're going to go outdoors with your ferret, you'll want to protect her against fleas. Flea products made for ferrets are a good choice. If you take your ferret outside often, you will want to talk to your veterinarian about products like Advantage (which can be used at kitten or per-pound dosages). If your ferret is outside often or you live in an area where heartworm is common, talk to your veterinarian about heartworm prevention.

  When you get home from your outing, check your ferret all over for any ticks or fleas. Remember that fleas are not only uncomfortable for ferrets, but they can also cause anemia because ferrets are small. It's very important to ensure that your ferret is protected.

  You can read more about ferrets and fleas here:

 http://www.ferretnews.com/articles/ferret-fleas.html

Heat

  Ferrets don't handle heat very well. If the temperature outside is over 80 degrees, keep your ferret at home or wait until later in the day when the temperature drops. A ferret can quickly develop heatstroke and die if she's out in hot weather. Make sure you read up on the symptoms and treatments for heatstroke before heading out for a walk.

  Another important factor to keep in mind is that sidewalks can get hot. If you must walk on a sidewalk or on sand, carry your ferret until you reach safer, cooler ground.

Harness & Lead

  Make sure you get your ferret the proper equipment for walking. A collar will not be enough. Ferrets are notorious for getting out of collars. A harness will ensure that your ferret can't get away from you while you have him outside. The best type of harness is the "H"-shaped harness (not the "8"-shaped harness). It doesn't matter whether the harness fastens with clips or buckles or Velcro, as long as you make sure the fit is correct and the fastener is fastened securely.

  If you've never put a harness on your ferret, you're in for a treat. Well, not really. When you fasten the harness around the neck, you should be able to stick your pinky finger between the harness and the ferret's neck. The same with the straps that go around the chest. Any more than that and the ferret will probably get out of the harness. When you put the harness on the ferret, the ferret will likely begin to act like he's being strangled. He will writhe and wriggle and try to get out of the harness. He may drag his front legs and rub his body against the floor. Honestly, it's melodrama. As long as you've left that pinky-finger-worth of space, the ferret is all right. You may want to spend a few days allowing the ferret to get used to wearing the harness before you head outside for a walk.

Harness & Lead Combo For Ferrets Midnight Blue Marshall's Harness & Lead Combo was designed specifically for ferrets. With quick-snap buckles and fully adjustable straps, this harness is escape-proof (when properly adjusted) and easy to use. Lead is 18 in L, Harness is fully adjustable to fit all ferrets. Color : Midnight Blue

  The lead should attach securely to the harness. Make sure the harness fasteners are secure and the lead is properly attached to the harness before you leave home. It's best to use a fairly short lead. You don't want your ferret to get tangled in anything and you want to be sure you can keep an eye on her the whole time you're outside. A short lead also allows you to grab your ferret quickly if a dog or other animal approaches. Never assume another animal will be safe around your ferret. Even a dog that means no harm can play too rough for your ferret.

  If you have two ferrets to take outside, you can get a tandem harness coupler. This is a little item that connects two harnesses to one lead. This way the two ferrets can't go in two opposite directions (though they will try!).

Marshall Tandem Couplers Marshall’s Tandem Coupler is the perfect solution for households with multiple ferrets. The Tandem Coupler eliminates the need for two leads, and the problems that occur with them. Available in Purple, Raspberry, Hunter Green, Neon Pink, Teal, , Royal Blue & Black.

  You may also want to bring a carry sack with you in case your ferret decides he doesn't want to walk around outside after all. If you put your ferret in a carry sack, make sure you can attach the harness or lead to the carry sack.

  It's also a good idea to bring some water with you, in case your ferret gets thirsty.

Safe Paths

  Before you take your ferret out for a walk, scout out the area where you'll be walking. Avoid areas where you may be approached by dogs or other animals that could harm your ferret. Areas with cars or bicycles can also pose a danger to a curious ferret and should be avoided if possible.

  Even if your dog and ferret get along, other people's dogs might not like your ferret or may be aggressive with her. If you see a dog while you are out walking, pick up your ferret so you can keep her safe.

  Safety should always come first when taking your ferret for a walk. If you take proper precautions, get the right equipment, and give your ferret time to adjust to taking walks, you are sure to have fun.

Did You Know That...

  You need to inspect your ferret's toys weekly for wear and tear. Our first few ferrets were very gentle with their toys, but as we added more ferrets to our group, we discovered that not all toys are safe for all ferrets. Even the plastic Easter eggs were dangerous in the jaws of Cauliflower (who could crush them in his mouth!).

  It's important to gather up all your ferret's toys about once a week to make sure that none of them have been damaged. Even if it's a toy your ferret has never been able to harm in the past, you need to make sure it continues to be safe.

  Not all toys that are labeled for ferrets are safe for ferrets. Use your judgment. Rubber and foam are the two most common materials found in ferrets with intestinal blockages, so it makes sense that toys made of flimsy rubber or foam are never safe for ferrets.

  That's it for this newsletter. If you have questions or comments, let us know!

--Mary, Eric & Gabby (the Lone Ferret)

  Stay tuned for more. You can always get updates by reading my blog (a blog is an online journal). I keep it sporadically and it usually runs to the more personal stuff. But you might like it. It's at

http://www.modernferretblog.com/mary

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