How old is your ferret

These traits never seem to change, although younger ferrets tend to be more persistent. Intact ferret kits develop behaviorally and physically differently.

Late-altered kits tend to be larger and robust. Intact males develop testes and demonstrate sexual behavior, which includes dragging around another ferret by the scruff or mounting behavior. As a kit, they are practicing. Intact females come into breeding season at approximately 7 months of age and develop a swollen vulva and show extreme interest in male ferrets.

Intact ferrets normally come into breeding season twice a year, and these behaviors can become extreme. After neutering, late-alter ferrets develop the same as a ferret that was an early-neuter, and the sexual behavior ceases.

If an early-neuter kit demonstrates any or some of the sexual behavior of an intact ferret, a trip to the veterinarian is recommended. A healthy ferret kit will grow into a healthy adult. As the ferret ages 4 years and up , expect the ferret to remain alert, interactive and playful. But his energy and playfulness decreases with age. An aging ferret may play for 30 minutes, take a nap and then wake to play again.

This is normal as long as the ferret is alert, playful and interactive for the period of time when he is up and about.

Some ferrets at very advanced ages start to miss the litter box at times. Care needs to taken to make sure that senior ferrets are able to eat their normal diet; if not, a modified diet is required. Every ferret can and will age differently. With age, female ferrets tend to mellow out and the males become more laid-back. They become the cuddle bugs we love. Ferret kits usually shed their baby coats and grow their adult coat by 1 year of age. Ferrets normally go through two coat changes each year.

During summer, they sport a short, smooth, silky coat; in the fall, they develop a longer, fuller coat. In the spring, they shed the thick, longer, winter coat. Ferret owners must give a hairball remedy during these times, because ferrets ingest shedding hair as they groom themselves.

A hairball can cause a gastrointestinal obstruction that might require emergency surgery to correct. Coat change is sometimes dramatic. Although this is a normal progression, not all ferrets go through coat changes; it can vary with each ferret. Diet can play a major role in the condition of the coat and coat change. Supplements can help the conditioning of the coat. Color pattern also plays a role. Albinos will always be albinos. The roan or silver will lighten up and become white as a ferret ages.

The darker color patterns — sables, black sables — show graying most predominantly on their hind legs.

These changes are normal and should be expected. Dry skin or hardened pads may be helped by increasing the fat content in their diet and massaging a little oil onto the pads. Teeth and Eyes. As with any pet, as a ferret ages, dental problems become more common and they are more prone to tooth damage, decay and gum disease. By 6 years old ferret teeth may be distinctly yellowed all the way to the gum, and you may begin to see that some of the small teeth in their bottom jaw are missing.

Older ferrets commonly develop cataracts in their eyes. You may notice cloudiness in your ferret's eyes and he is not able to see as well. You may experience some hearing loss, even to the point of deafness. Physical Mobility. If your ferret becomes less mobile as they age, you should consider making adjustments to help them cope. This could include:. Adding more litter boxes and selecting litter boxes with lower sides for easier access. Avoid drafts and provide extra bedding to keep them warm.

Health Conditions. Unfortunately, many older ferrets develop health problems. Those most commonly diagnosed in ferrets, and the typical signs they cause include:.

Heart and respiratory: Signs of may include coughing, loss of weight, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Adrenal gland disease : hair loss mainly around the lower back and tail , itching, dry brittle coat, skin conditions, increased drinking and urination, loss of appetite, weakened muscles, increased odour, lethargy. People always play with the youngsters first, exhausting both. Then they move on to the oldies, where everyone is happy to sit quietly with a little lap-warmer.

The two groups are separate deliberately to avoid stressing the elderly animals. Young ferrets may play too rough and upset the old ones. However, another quiet ferret can give them the companionship many crave, as well as providing a warm sleep buddy. Even ferrets that actively dislike others are, I believe, better off with nearby company.

It is very difficult on an elderly ferret to lose his or her home or be abandoned by their owner. When a ferret over 5 enters the shelter, they look so sad and confused. Worse, any underlying illness they might have often erupts out of their distress and a previously healthy animal become ill.

Elderly ferrets become set in their ways. Cuddling is one of the greatest charms of the elderly ferret. The last thing they want is to be held. Little, elderly Bear will sleep on my lap for hours, wrapped in a flannel blanket, while I write, sort paperwork, or watch a movie.

How many young ferrets will do THAT? Elderly ferrets can be a lot of extra work. Ann Salafia spends far more time with her older ferrets than with her younger ones. Carol Levy also feels you must pay far closer attention to any changes in their habits or physical health.

You may find your own lifestyle restricted. An ill older animal may need their medicine on a careful schedule. One who is having difficulty eating hard food, or who has hypoglycemia or insulinoma, may need regular supplemental feedings. I can never leave home for more than eight hours without having a volunteer or sitter come in to feed ill ferrets — and there were times, with a particularly ill animal, when one had to be fed every 4 hours!

Salafia adds that you must be more careful to find an experienced and careful sitter to care for elderly animals in your absence. Your vet should be carefully chosen, also. Your veterinarian should be knowledgeable about common diseases found in aging ferrets. When a ferret is 4 years or older, they should be seen by a veterinarian at least twice a year, to help catch any developing illness early.

The monetary expense of caring for an elderly ferret can be hard. YOU must have the forethought to put a few dollars aside, or work out payment arrangements with a willing veterinarian. Most pet insurance plans do not cover ferrets. They grieve when one passes on…but within weeks sometimes days! They are brave and wonderful people — but they also know that older ferrets can be the very best of all.

Elderly ferrets often make a number of adorable little sounds.