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Ferrets do not live at home as long as other pets (cats, dogs). This is due to the fact that their habits and diseases are not well studied. To learn more about how to extend the life of your pet, the information in the article below will help.
How long do domestic ferrets live?
The average life span 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 ferrets' lifespan
There are several factors that affect the lifespan of domestic ferrets:
- heredity. Bad genes are passed on from parents. If the ferret's parents died of natural death at a young age, then the offspring are likely to show the same lifespan. Experienced breeders use genetically healthy individuals for mating, so the life expectancy of trorets acquired in special nurseries is much higher than that of pets purchased from unknown sellers;
- sterilization (castration) allows you to prolong the life of the ferret and protect it from cancer. The physical condition of ferrets is highly dependent on having a partner and satisfying sexual instincts. Without mating, unsterilized ferrets die at a young age. In addition, their behavior after puberty changes significantly. If the female is not present during the rutting period, the male may even run away from the owners in search of a soul mate;
- unhealthy diet shortens life span. Many owners do not close the kitchen and allow their pet to feast on delicacies from the master's table. This causes the ferret to develop stomach problems. Exacerbation of disease contributes to a reduction in the life of the ferret at home;
- vaccinations against rabies and carnivorous plague will extend the life of a ferret at home. It should not be naive to believe that if a pet does not go out into the street, then these dangerous diseases will pass him. 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 tell the age of a pet ferret
When buying a ferret, many want to know the exact age, and sellers are sometimes cunning and instead of young individuals sell already adult animals, 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 pet ferret:
- by the color and structure of the coat. In young individuals up to 1.5 months, the hair is still baby - gray. At the age of 2-3 months, the color appears. The coat of young animals is very soft and pleasant to the touch, while in adult pets it is tough. In older animals, the fur becomes thin and thin, 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 canines. Until the age of one year, the canines are distinguished by their whiteness and sharpness. At the age of 1.5 to 2.5 years, the tip of the canines becomes dull, yellowness and some transparency appear.Between 3-4 years, transparency affects most of the canines, and by the age of 5-6, the teeth turn very yellow, you can notice the absence of some small teeth located in the lower jaw. The tightness of the fangs indicates 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 ferret lifespan
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 life span of a pet, there are several factors that contribute to the extension of a ferret's life in captivity.
Ferrets are mobile and freedom-loving, therefore they perceive confinement in a cage very badly. Constant presence in a confined space leads to the fact that the life of the animal becomes joyless and uninteresting. These ferrets wilt quickly and die at an early age.
When keeping a ferret, a cage is necessary in several cases:
- during repair work;
- when visiting a veterinary clinic;
- for temporary isolation of the animal.
The better the cage is, the more comfortable the pet is in it, therefore, the life expectancy increases. Additional equipment must be purchased in the cage:
- drinker;
- feeder;
- tray;
- hammock;
- shelves for rest;
- ladders;
- equipment for games.
Sterilization
Ferrets are sexually mature at an early age. Already at 6-8 months, the character of the animal changes, marks appear on carpets and an unpleasant smell in the apartment.
During the rut, the ferret urgently needs steam. However, mating alone is not enough. In order for the pet to calm down a little, he will need at least 4-5 sexual intercourses. And if a pair 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 alone and it is problematic to find a bride. The spayed animals improve their character, they become good-natured, more docile, playful, stop marking their territory, and the unpleasant smell disappears.
People who have ferrets at home confirm that spaying can increase the life of a pet and improve coexistence with it in the same room.
Vaccination
Infectious diseases in ferrets that require vaccination:
- rabies;
- leptospirosis;
- plague of carnivores.
Veterinarians recommend vaccinating ferrets with any method of keeping. Even a pet that does not go for walks outside the premises can become infected with dangerous diseases. Danger is provided by the clothing and footwear of the owners, as well as a visit to the veterinary clinic or an accidental encounter with a wild mouse that sneaked into the house. There are plenty of ways to get infected, so it is advisable to get vaccinated to increase the life span of a ferret.
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 given if the pet is sick. Also, you can not vaccinate pregnant and lactating, as well as females during estrus.
Feeding
Ferrets are predatory 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, the 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 at home quite comfortably if the owner, before purchasing the animal, is familiar with the rules of its maintenance, care and feeding. Young males die very quickly from diseases without mating, so the question of sterilization must be resolved immediately after the pet reaches puberty. To extend the life of a pet at home will help: proper nutrition and vaccination, as well as personal space in the apartment. The small cage impedes the mobility of the animal and shortens its life.
