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Ferrets live at home not as long as other pets (cats, dogs). This is due to the fact that their habits and diseases have not been studied so well. To learn more about how to extend the life of a pet, the information in the article below will help.
How long do domestic ferrets live
The average lifespan of a ferret at home is 7 to 9 years. This period can fluctuate both up and down. Under the right conditions, ferrets live up to 12 years, and if the requirements are not met, animals die at a young age (up to 5 years).
What affects the lifespan of ferrets
There are several factors that affect the life span of domestic ferrets:
- heredity. Bad genes are passed down from parents. If a ferret’s parents died of natural causes at a young age, then the offspring will most likely show the same lifespan. Experienced breeders use genetically healthy individuals for mating, so the life expectancy of ferrets purchased from special nurseries is much higher than that of pets purchased from unknown sellers;
- Sterilization (castration) allows you to extend the life of the ferret and protect it from cancer. The physical condition of ferrets is very much dependent on the presence of a partner and the satisfaction of sexual instincts. Without mating, unneutered ferrets die at a young age. In addition, their behavior after puberty changes significantly. If there is no female during the rut, the male may even run away from the owners in search of a soulmate;
- improper nutrition shortens life. Many owners do not close the kitchen and allow the pet to enjoy goodies from the master’s table. This causes the ferret to develop stomach problems. Exacerbation of diseases helps to reduce the life of a ferret at home;
- vaccinations against rabies and canine distemper will extend the life of the ferret in the home. One should not be naive to believe that if the pet does not go out, then these dangerous diseases will bypass it. According to statistics, 60% of cases of plague are detected in unvaccinated pets, in 10% of cases of rabies, pets did not have contact with street animals.
How to determine the age of a ferret
When buying a ferret, many people want to know the exact age, and sellers are sometimes cunning and sell adult animals instead of young individuals, which means that the life expectancy of a domestic ferret will be much less than if a baby was purchased.
There are several options for determining the age of a domestic ferret:
- according to the color and structure of the coat. In young individuals up to 1,5 months, the hair is still childish – gray. At the age of 2-3 months, the color appears. The wool of young animals is very soft and pleasant to the touch, while in adult pets it is hard. In older animals, the fur becomes sparse and thinner, bald patches most often appear on the tail;
- according to the condition of the teeth. The molars erupt at the age of 1,5 months, until this moment the baby has milk teeth. By the age of three months, the ferret develops sharp fangs. Until the age of one year, fangs are white and sharp. At the age of 1,5 to 2,5 years, the tip of the fangs becomes dull, yellowness and some transparency appear. In the period between 3-4 years, the transparency affects most of the canines, and by 5-6 years the teeth become very yellow, you can notice the absence of some small teeth located in the lower jaw. The tightness of the fangs suggests that the ferret is no longer young, even if the seller claims the opposite;
- behavior can also betray old animals. Young pets are active, curious, playful, and adults rarely play, behave more sedately, sleep more.
How to increase the life span of a ferret
Ferrets live at home for about 10 years, but it all depends on what conditions the owners create for them. Not only comfort and coziness can increase the lifespan of a pet, there are some factors that contribute to extending the life of a ferret in captivity.
Ferrets are mobile and freedom-loving, so they perceive imprisonment in a cage very badly. The constant presence in a confined space leads to the fact that the life of the animal becomes joyless and uninteresting. Such ferrets quickly wither and die at an early age.
When keeping a ferret, a cage is necessary in several cases:
- during the repair work;
- when visiting a veterinary clinic;
- for temporary isolation of the animal.
The better the cage is equipped, the more comfortable the pet is in it, therefore, life expectancy increases. In the cage you need to purchase additional equipment:
- drinker;
- feeder;
- tray;
- hammock;
- shelves for rest;
- ladders;
- game equipment.
Sterilization
Puberty in ferrets occurs at an early age. Already at 6-8 months, the character of the animal changes, marks appear on the carpets and an unpleasant smell in the apartment.
During the rut, the ferret urgently needs a pair. In this case, one pairing is not enough. In order for the pet to calm down a little, he will need at least 4-5 sexual acts. And if a mate is not found, the ferret’s health deteriorates. Unsatisfied sexual instincts lead to the fact that life expectancy is sharply reduced, the ferret dies at a young age.
Castration is the best solution if the ferret lives without a mate, and it is problematic to look for a bride. Sterilized animals improve their character, they become good-natured, more accommodating, playful, stop marking their territory, and an unpleasant smell disappears.
People who have ferrets at home confirm that sterilization allows you to increase the life span of your pet and improve coexistence with him in the same room.
Vaccination
Infectious diseases in ferrets that require vaccination:
- rabies;
- leptospirosis;
- plague of carnivores.
Veterinarians recommend vaccinating ferrets in any way of keeping. Even a pet that does not go for walks outside the premises can become infected with dangerous diseases. The danger is provided by the clothes and shoes of the owners, as well as a visit to a veterinary clinic or a chance meeting with a wild mouse that has made its way into the house. There are plenty of ways to get infected, so to increase the life expectancy of a ferret, it is advisable to get vaccinated.
Completely healthy pets are accepted for vaccination. An acquired ferret at the age of two months is treated for worms, after which (after 10 days) vaccination can be carried out.
To reduce the likelihood of contracting dangerous diseases, contact with other pets and the outside world should be avoided before and during the vaccination period.
Vaccination is not carried out if the pet is sick. It is also impossible to vaccinate pregnant and lactating, as well as females in estrus.
Feeding
Ferrets are carnivorous animals that require a meat diet. Some owners feed the ferret incorrectly, believing that it belongs to rodents. Plant foods are not suitable for feeding predators. Without the presence of meat dishes in the diet, a pet can get sick and die prematurely.
The diet can be enriched with all kinds of herbal supplements (up to 15%), but most of the food should consist of meat ingredients.
Conclusion
Ferrets live quite comfortably at home if the owner, before purchasing the animal, familiarized himself with the rules for its maintenance, care and feeding. Young males without mating die very quickly from diseases, so the issue of sterilization must be addressed immediately after the pet reaches puberty. Prolonging the life of a pet at home will help: proper nutrition and vaccination, as well as personal space in the apartment. A small cage impedes the mobility of the animal and shortens its lifespan.
