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Small Animal Science Sample LessonSA131 Ferret Care and Handling
MAIN IDEA: How should ferrets be groomed, cared for and handled; and what is normal behavior for a ferret? GROOMING/CARE Ferrets usually shed their coats twice a year -- in the early spring and in the fall. They will groom themselves fairly well. Daily brushing is not necessary, but is helpful. During their self-grooming, ferrets can ingest significant amounts of hair causing upset stomachs and even intestinal blockages. A little bit of a hairball remedy paste, such as made for cats, may be given daily or every other day through the shedding period to help prevent the blockage. If a blockage is suspected, the ferret needs to be taken to a veterinarian. Neutered or spayed ferrets will have a slight musky odor. Frequent bathing is not recommended and will actually stimulate the production of a strong musky scent. Recommendations for a bath vary from one to six months, unless they have gotten into something and a bath is the only way to get them clean. Changing the bedding on a regular basis, at least once a week, will do more to cut down on ferret odor than just about anything else. Toenails should be trimmed about once a week, or once every other week. If not trimmed, the nails will grow to a painful length and the vein in the nail will expand and make future trimming difficult. The front nails usually have to be trimmed more frequently than the rear ones. To trim toenails, a regular human-type toenail clipper can be used, but it must be sharp. Otherwise it may cause the nail to split. The dog/cat type will work but is more difficult to use and also tends to split the nail. Nails are clipped so that the flat portion of the trimmed nail will be parallel to the floor when the ferret is walking. A couple quick strokes with an emery board after clipping will also prevent splitting and make the nail smoother. If the dark vein in the nail is accidentally clipped, the ferret will scream because nerves were hit, and the toe will bleed. A styptic powder will stop the bleeding. A few drops of Ferretone/Linatone on the ferret's stomach keeps the ferret busy licking while the nails are being trimmed. The ferret's ears will build up a reddish wax that should be removed about every month. One of the best ways of cleaning the ears is to let the ferret do most of the work itself. Drop some ear cleaning solution deep into the ear and massage for a few moments. Then let the ferret shake. Much of the earwax will be shaken out. Wax left on the surface can be cleaned out with a cotton swab. If the wax is a dark gray and the ear has an unpleasant odor, ear mites are likely present. A ferret's teeth will build up a layer of tartar. If left untreated, this may lead to tooth and gum disease. Feeding dry kitten food and a minimum of treats to the ferret slows the rate of tartar build-up. When the teeth take on a yellowish hue it is time for cleaning. This is best done at a veterinary clinic. Good, consistent, ferret care includes the following:
Ferrets need to be kept out of extreme heat. When temperatures are over 85 F., the ferret should be in shade with plenty of ventilation and water. HANDLING/RESTRAINT Ferrets that are handled often become easier to handle. To pick them up, they should be grasped firmly around the body at the front shoulders with one hand. The other hand should be placed under the rear of the animal to support its body. The owner's hands are the best training tool for ferrets. Like dogs, ferrets can be trained to come when their name is called and do tricks. They can be trained to sit, beg for treats and ride on the owner's shoulder. Like cats, they can be trained to use a litterbox -- at least most of the time. To discipline a ferret, a stern "NO" with a tap on the nose is usually sufficient. If biting or nipping is a problem, a product in pet shops called Bitterapple that tastes bad helps teach them what not to bite. On the other hand, ferrets love Linatone and it can be used as a treat or to reward good behavior. Ferrets can be allowed outdoors if they are on a leash and under close supervision. For walks, a leash can be attached to an H-type harness worn by the ferret. BEHAVIOR Ferrets are energetic and active. They are constantly into everything. When ferrets are having a good time they do the "ferret-dance of joy" or sometimes called the "ferret war dance." They will hop about like they have springs on their feet, back arched, mouth wide open, head swinging back and forth, sometimes making a hissing or chirping sound, sometimes banging into walls and furniture. They remain playful all of their life. A common pose is the "flat-ferret." The ferret gets as close to the ground and as flat as possible, usually right in front of the owner. This is to get the caretaker's attention. If ignored, the ferret might even come up and tap the person on the leg or foot to get his or her attention, before going back to the flat-ferret pose. Ferrets are very clever and their front paws are great at manipulating objects. They can open cabinet doors and drawers. Ferrets are also ingenious at figuring out paths to things that are "up out of reach." They can even open zippers and unscrew bottle tops that are not on too tight. This ability to get into and open things can be a problem. Some "ferret proofing" may be required to keep them out of small openings that they can get into but not back out of. Ferrets are "pack-rats." They will take anything that interests them and drag it off to their hiding place -- usually in or under a couch or bed or chair. Many items are fair game including socks, bottle caps, keys, hair brushes and combs, pencils and pens, jewelry and slippers. When ferrets are nervous, scared or exploring new territory, they often exhibit a characteristic known as the "bottle-brush tail." The tail gets big and puffy and the hair sticks straight out. This is a normal ferret reaction to environmental stimuli. The reaction usually lasts only a few minutes and then the tail will return to normal. Ferrets are not significantly territorial, but they do have a social order. Once accepted into the existing "colony," ferrets will share food, water and sleeping areas very readily. This acceptance may take minutes or weeks depending on the ages of the ferrets and how long the existing order has been established. Young kits seem to adapt the best to the addition of new ferret members. When ferrets play, they play rough. Play can involve dragging by the neck or ears, with squealing and chittering. Violent shaking and drawing of blood is probably mean and they are fighting and not playing. Ferrets must be spayed or neutered if they are to be house pets. Hobs will exhibit a very strong, musky odor when they come into season, and proceed to mark their territory with urine. Hobs are also very aggressive. Neutering changes the aggressive temperament of the hob. Unneutered females will come into heat and not go out of heat unless they mate. This can kill the female. Neutered and spayed males and females all exhibit similar behavior. Young ferrets (kits) have teeth and they like to bite. This is part of their play. Normal play involves biting and shaking. They will try this on the owner too. Kits are very intelligent and can learn quickly that this is not acceptable behavior. Ferrets like to dig and will dig in potted houseplants if they have access to them. EXERCISE: 1. Many people feel strongly about their pet ferrets and like to tell stories. These experiences reflect normal ferret behavior and are often reported on personal Web sites. Start by visiting links found on the Web sites listed under Internet Resources. If you prefer, you could use a search engine such as HotBot or Yahoo!, and enter the word ferret. Find some personal Web pages that describe ferret behavior. Report on your findings. INTERNET RESOURCES:
** American Ferret Association
** Everything Ferret - Ferret Behavior
** Ferret Central TEST: 1. What characteristic is exhibited when ferrets are nervous, scared or exploring new territory?
2. Young ferrets are called: 3. What is a common pose for a ferret? 4. Ferrets cannot be trained because they are too mischievous. TRUE or FALSE? 5. What is happening to a ferret when it is doing the "war dance?" 6. Frequent bathing may cause a ferret to have a musky scent. TRUE or FALSE? 7. Ferrets shed their coat once a year. TRUE or FALSE? 8. Ferret toenails must be trimmed or the __________ in the nail will expand and make future trimming difficult. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END OF STUDENT SECTION TEACHER'S GUIDESA131 Ferret Care and HandlingOBJECTIVE: The student will know how to groom, care for and handle ferrets, and recognize normal ferret behavior.
PREPARATION: Take the following steps to prepare for this lesson: INTERNET RESOURCES:
** American Ferret Association
** Everything Ferret - Ferret Behavior
** Ferret Central REFERENCE: Warren, Dean M. "Small Animal Care & Management." Albany, New York: Delmar Publishers, 1995. IMPORTANT TERMS: musky, hairball, tartar, territorial, kits. EXTENSION IDEAS: 1. Invite a local pet shop owner/operator to demonstrate the proper handling and care of ferrets. 2. Visit the ferret Web sites listed in the Preparation section. Print some of the color photographs, names and stories of ferrets for a poster display. EXERCISE ANSWER: 1. Answers will vary, but on the Web pages students will find information such as photo contests of ferrets, training tips, a list of ferret names, stories, frequently asked questions about ferret problems, cartoons and webcams. TEST KEY: 1. What characteristic is exhibited when ferrets are nervous, scared or exploring new territory? Bottle-brush tail
2. Young ferrets are called: Correct answer: B. Kits 3. What is a common pose for a ferret? Flat-footed and getting as close and flat to the ground as possible 4. Ferrets cannot be trained because they are too mischievous. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE. Ferrets can be trained to come to their name, to use a litterbox and to do tricks like sitting, or begging for treats. 5. What is happening to a ferret when it is doing the "war dance?" It is having a really good time -- hopping around, back arched, mouth open, head swinging back and forth, making noises and banging into things. 6. Frequent bathing may cause a ferret to have a musky scent. TRUE or FALSE? TRUE. 7. Ferrets shed their coat once a year. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE. They shed twice a year. 8. Ferret toenails must be trimmed or the vein in the nail will expand and make future trimming difficult. CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS:
Across: 5. Heatstroke, 7. Mites, 10. Litterbox, 12. Linatone, 13. Bedding. END TEACHER'S GUIDE
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