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Activity
An albino ferret getting caught off guard while yawningFerrets spend 14 to 18
hours a day sleeping, but when awake they are very active, exploring their
surroundings relentlessly. Ferrets are naturally crepuscular, meaning they are
most active during dawn and dusk. If kept in a cage, they should be let out for
a few hours daily to get exercise and satisfy their curiosity. When ferrets are
kept in their cages for too long, their walking ability can be affected, and
they may become subject to depression or "cage stress." Ferrets, like cats, can
use a litter box with training, though are not always completely litter box
trainable.
Ferrets are also fine backyard companions and especially enjoy "helping" their
owners in the garden. However, they should not be allowed to wander; ferrets are
fearless to the point of foolishness and will get into whatever holes they will
find, including storm drains. Whenever they are outside, they should be closely
supervised and preferably kept on a harness leash designed for ferrets. There
are different types of harnesses, and some ferrets prefer certain kinds. The
H-shaped harness is the most popular. Collars will not work for ferrets as they
do for dogs; a ferret can easily slip out of a collar because their heads are
about the same width as their necks.
Additional care should be taken during mosquito and tick season, as ferrets are
susceptible to the diseases carried by these parasites. Ticks can attach
themselves and begin to draw blood. When the tick gets full, it regurgitates
some blood and tick saliva back into the ferret, which is how Lyme and other
diseases can be transmitted. Ordinarily, the regurgitation happens between five
to 24 hours after the tick attaches. The key to keeping a ferret healthy is
early removal of ticks using proper methods to avoid tick regurgitation, and
prevention when in environments where encountering ticks is likely. Mosquitoes
for their part can carry heart worms and the West Nile virus. Fleas can cause
extreme skin irritation and can be intermediate hosts for tapeworms, one of
which could potentially kill a ferret because of the ferret's small size. Also
because of their small size, ferrets can also be regarded as prey by birds such
as the hawk, and by larger snakes. Their small size also makes the venom of a
bee, wasp or spider much more serious than for a larger mammal. For these
reasons, an owner should be vigilant when a ferret is outdoors.
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