Blog Posts

Do you have a ferret that loves to burrow under blankets, sleep sacks, and other bedding? Then we have the perfect ferret sleeper and hideout for you - the Petstages Mini Nesting Mat for Ferrets!

The Mini Nesting Mat is a great multi-purpose ferret accessory. First, it's great for burrowing and digging under, both of which are natural ferret behaviors that need to be accommodated. Second, it will provide a fun play area for multiple ferrets, as they race over and under it. And finally, when your ferrets have played themselves out, it is a comfortable place for them to curl up and take a nap.

With a fiber filled cushion made from fleece and velour and four layers of fleece and cotton fabric, this mat meets all your ferrets' sleeping and playing needs!

Measures 22 1/2" x 22 1/2".

Keeping your ferret's cage clean is the most important thing you can do to keep odors to a minimum. Why? Because ferrets are only going to be as clean as their environment. A stinky cage is going to equal a stinky ferret.

To make sure that you clean as often as you should, it's a good idea to come up with a daily and weekly cleaning schedule. Try to do it at the same time of the day or week each time you do it so it becomes a part of your routine, something you won't have to think about or try to remember.

Things that you will have to do daily include:

• Scoop litter boxes to remove soiled litter and solid waste
• Empty and clean water and food bowls
• Check bedding and remove any that is soiled
• Change newspaper in the pullout pan, if your cage has one

Weekly tasks include:

• Completely empty and clean litter box
• Wipe down the cage bars to remove oils
• Clean all cage accessories (toys, shelves, ramps, etc)
• Wash all bedding

Doing the above cleaning duties will keep your ferret and his environment smelling sweet.

Help your ferret to celebrate the holidays in style with our new Santa suit for ferrets. With this adorable Santa hat and ruff, your ferret will be a hit at all of your holiday gatherings!

Made from 100% polyester, the ferret Santa suit is one size fits all. Each piece is elasticized for easy on and off, and it should be hand washed for maximum durability.

You're sure to get some great photo ops with this festive, unique ferret santa hat and ruff, so check out this and our other ferret winter gear today!

You may hear ferret owners talking about "dooking" - but what exactly is dooking, and why do ferrets do it?

"Dooking" is the most common vocalization that ferrets make. It's hard to describe exactly what it sounds like, but it's somewhere between a chuckle and a chattering noise that a squirrel might make. If your ferret is making what sounds like clicking noises, that's a dook.

Ferrets dook when they are excited or happy or when they are playing. They may do it when you first let them out of their cage in the morning and they're running around exploring and playing. If your ferret dooks while jumping back and forth in front of you, he's not being aggressive; he's inviting you to play with him.

Ferrets differ in how much they vocalize, and dooking is no exception. Some ferrets will dook very softly, while others may dook so loudly you can hear them across the room. Ferrets may dook every time they are excited, only occasionally, or not at all.

Swheat Scoop Ferret Litter
If you're having trouble getting your ferret to use his litter box, the problem could be that he doesn't like the litter you're using. But if you've already tried recycled newspaper litter, wood pellets, and wood fiber, what other litters...

If you're having trouble getting your ferret to use his litter box, the problem could be that he doesn't like the litter you're using. But if you've already tried recycled newspaper litter, wood pellets, and wood fiber, what other litters can you try?

The answer is Swheat Scoop, an all natural, clumping wheat ferret litter. Most clumping litters, though convenient, are not safe for ferrets because the clay can form blockages in their stomachs, anal area, or nose. Swheat Scoop is clay-free, so it's completely safe to use for your ferrets because there's no fear of dangerous plugs forming.

The super absorbent litter is virtually dust free, which is safer for your ferret's delicate respiratory system. Odors are continually and naturally eliminated by wheat enzymes, so there are no harmful fragrances. Swheat Scoop is biodegradable and safe to flush for easy disposal.

Free of silica dust and any chemical components, all natural Swheat Scoop is a safe, effective ferret litter. To check out this litter and our other helpful ferret litter products, visit our Litter Boxes and Accessories section.

There are many aspects of ferret training, especially bite training, where scruffing is one of the best methods to use. However, litter training isn't one of them.

When you scruff a ferret, you are showing it that you are the alpha ferret - you are the boss. The reason it doesn't work for litter training is because when you litter train a ferret, you're not trying to show it that you are dominant. The place a ferret chooses to go to the bathroom is designated by a need to mark his territory; it's instinctive behavior. It's not something that you will be able to correct by proving dominance.

The best method for training ferrets to use the litter box is positive reinforcement. When they use the litter box, reward them for it. If you see them backing up, put them in the litter box and reward them when they use it. Even if you have to put them in the litter box twenty times before they actually go, you should be ready with a treat when they climb out after using it. The entire point of litter training is to link a positive behavior - using the designated toilet area - with a positive reward - a treat, cuddle, or praise. Yelling at a ferret that isn't using the litter box is just going to confuse and frighten him. As far as he knows, he's marking his territory, not staining your rug.

If you catch your ferret right after he has an accident, pick his stool up, put it in the litter box, then put him in the litter box with his nose in the corner so he can smell his stool there. (This isn't punishment; it's just to help him associate the smell of his waste with the litter box.) Then clean up the accident area with a cleaner that completely eliminates odors so he doesn't smell his feces or urine and go there again.

If you don't catch him in the act, unfortunately the only thing you can do it clean up the area and put the solid waste in the litter box. Don't bother bringing him over to smell the area or yelling at him - he has no idea why he's in trouble at that point.

To learn more about litter training, read Litter Training Your Ferret.

To find the right litter accessories, visit our Ferret Litter Boxes and Accessories section.

To check out different cleaning products to eliminate stains and odors, visit our Sanitation Products department.

It's that time of the year again - time to pick up your own adorable, highly original Jeanne Carley ferret calendar!

This year her theme is Movie Ferrets, and each month features ferrets characterized in some of your favorite movie moments. You will find Jedi ferrets, ghostbuster ferrets, Wizard of Oz ferrets and much more. The 2009 Jeanne Carley Ferret Calendar is perfect for use at home or at work, and it has large squares for each date that allow you to write down all your daily appointments and events. As an added bonus, the calendar comes with a free 12" x 24" ferret poster that you can enjoy for years to come.

Here are just a few of the funny ferret photos you will find in this year's calendar.

Whether you're shopping for your favorite ferret lover or looking to pick up something special for yourself, the Jeanne Carley Ferret Calendar is the perfect item!

Click here to purchase the Jeanne Carley 2009 Movie Ferrets Calendar.

People who are considering getting ferrets or adding another animal to their ferret household often worry about whether or not the ferret and the other animal will get along. There is no definite outcome when introducing different species and ferrets, as each animal is going to have their own personality, likes, and dislikes. There are some general guidelines that you can follow though.

Dogs
When allowing a dog and a ferret to interact, there is always going to be the potential for harm, so you must be alert. Smaller breeds, such as terriers, have hunting instincts that cause them to snap at or chase after ferrets. Larger breeds may get along well with smaller animals, but may accidentally injure your ferrets by stepping on them or playing too rough. If you plan to introduce your ferrets to your dogs, do so in a controlled setting. This means restraining the dog and holding the ferret so you can separate them quickly if you need to. If there are any signs of aggression, they should not be permitted to play together. Even if they do get along well, we recommend that you always supervise interactions closely.

Cats
Ferrets and cats can often coexist without problems, and they may enjoy playing with each other. However, as with dogs, there is always the chance for injury. Ferrets can injure kittens during play, and adult cats may react badly to an playfully aggressive ferret. Because of this, cats and ferrets should also be introduced slowly in a controlled setting, and they should be closely supervised during initial interactions. Though you won't have to watch as closely once they have been playing together for a while, you still need to be nearby keeping an eye on them to separate them if things get too rough.

Small Pets, Birds, and Reptiles
Small pets, birds, and reptiles never mix with ferrets. Because of her hunting instincts (she is a carnivore after all), your ferret could easily injure, maim, or kill a small pet, bird, or small reptile. That isn't to say that she's definitely going to, but she could. Larger reptiles could injure or kill your ferret. Therefore, these animals should never be allowed to interact with ferrets, and we recommend caging them in a different room to which your ferret doesn't have access. This will help to prevent accidents should one of the animals escape from its cage.

We all try to give our ferrets the most living space possible, but sometimes that can be difficult if your home or apartment is smaller. The Corner Ferret Cage is the perfect solution to this problem.

This Corner Cage for ferrets is a multi-level cage that offers your ferrets maximum living space while saving your floor space. It fits neatly in standard corners out of the way of the main flow of traffic, but is still large enough to house multiple ferrets. The extra cage space inside means there's more room for bedding, toys, and other ferret cage accessories, and it provides it without taking up half of your living room or bedroom!

Other features include:

• Rolling casters for easy mobility
• Two 15 3/4" x 13" doors for easy access to your ferrets
• Three plastic ramps and plastic platforms so you can customize your ferret's cage setup
• 1" bar spacing to keep your ferrets safe and secure

The Corner Ferret Cage is the perfect solution to your ferret housing problem, and its features are both ferret friendly and human friendly. Whether you're looking to upgrade your ferret's cage or are shopping for your first ferret cage, the Corner Cage is an excellent choice!

Cage measures 34" x 34" x 55" high.

Water bottles are a great alternative to water bowls for ferrets that like to snorkle and splash. They provide a clean source of drinking water at all times, and they eliminate unnecessary messes. However, if you don't clean your ferrets' water bottle regularly, the water you're giving them could actually be having a negative affect on their health!

When your ferret drinks from her water bottle, the vacuum inside the bottle sucks up food particles and saliva from her mouth, trapping them in the spigot and holding chamber. If the water bottle isn't cleaned and these things remain in it, they build up over time, creating dangerous bacteria buildup. When you introduce bacteria into your ferret's system like that, it can cause illness or leave them more susceptible to developing health problems.

So what should you do to prevent bacteria buildup? It's easy - just wash your ferrets' water bottle with soap and hot water at least once a week, more as needed if you have a large number of ferrets. Products such as a Ferret Bottle Brush can help with this. With its extra-long, flexible handle and the smaller tube brush for cleaning inside the spigot, you can easily clean the entire water bottle and provide your ferret with fresh, clean, safe drinking water.

Ferret strollers can be a great accessory for outdoor adventures! They provide a safe way for your ferrets to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors without being exposed to predators, pesticides, and other hazards you may encounter while out of the safety of your backyard.

The Drs. Foster and Smith Dura-Ruff® Ultralight Ferret Stroller is durable, yet lightweight and collapsible for easy storage. It has a number of handy, ferret-friendly features such as:

• Zippered front-loading compartment
• Mesh on the top and sides for proper ventilation
• Safety brakes
• Thick denier polyester wipes clean easily and is water resistant
• Storage bin to carry ferret treats, water, and anything else you may need

Other features include push-button collapsing, 7" wheels, front shock absorbers, and a steel frame. It holds up to 20 lbs, so you can carry multiple ferrets at a time, and it folds down to just 8" high, for easy storage in small spaces.

Ferret strollers like the Dura-Ruff® Ultralight Ferret Stroller are perfect for ferrets of all ages. Using a stroller is an excellent way to take older or ill ferrets out for some fresh air. They may not have the energy to go for a walk, but, with a stroller, you can still give them the mental stimulation of a trip outdoors without tiring them out or endangering their health.

It's also great for kits that may not be leash trained yet or that may be too small for a harness. Now they too can enjoy a walk around the park safely.

And even if you do take your ferrets for walks on leashes, the Ultralight Ferret Stroller is still going to be useful. Simply transport your ferrets to the park or wherever you are going, allow them to walk around on their leashes, then put them back in the stroller when they're done or need a break.

Safe, convenient, and economically priced, the Dura-Ruff® Ultralight Ferret Stroller is perfect for any outing or trip!

Ferrets can become dehydrated very easily - when they're ill, during warm weather, when they have diarrhea. You can tell if your ferret is dehydrated because when you scruff the skin over their shoulder blades, the skin that you pull up will either stay up or take a long time to go back down to the normal, flat position. This is called "tenting the skin." Other signs of dehydration include dry, sticky gums (they should be slippery and wet) and squinted eyes.

Dehydration is a very serious condition, and it can kill your ferret quickly if it isn't treated promptly. Therefore, it's very important to make sure that your ferret stays hydrated. Provide him with plenty of water at all times, and change his water daily. Consider using water bowls rather than water bottles, as your ferret will be able to drink more easily. You may also want to give your ferret a pet fountain in his play area to encourage more water intake. If your ferret is ill, speak to your veterinarian about ways to keep him properly hydrated. If you are taking your ferret outside or are traveling, be sure to provide plenty of water.

Schedule a veterinary appointment as soon as possible if your ferret becomes dehydrated. If you can't get your ferret to the veterinarian right away, prevent further dehydration by giving him children's Pedialyte mixed with water in addition to his regular water. You may need to syringe feed him water if he isn't drinking on his own. If your veterinarian has shown you how to administer subcutaneous fluids, you may want to give those as well. Feeding him wet foods, such as Science Diet a/d, mixed with water will also help.

Even if your ferret doesn't appear to be dehydrated anymore, it's still important to have him seen by an experienced ferret veterinarian. Dehydration is the symptom, not the problem.

Normal ferret stool is brown, and it should have a firm consistency. Anyone who has owned ferrets for a while knows that it's important to monitor our ferrets' stool. Why? Because abnormal stool is often the first obvious sign of a health issue. But what does it mean when your ferret has green stool?

While green stool can be alarming, it isn't necessarily a sign of ECE (Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis). When your ferret has green stool, it simply means that food is moving too fast through your ferret's system, and he isn't having a chance to digest it properly. Therefore, green stool can be caused by anything that causes food to move through the digestive system too quickly. This can include:

• Too many treats
• Doing a food switch too quickly
• IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)
• Lymphoma
• Inappropriate food (vegetables, fruits, sugar, etc)
• Food that has too many filler materials/plant materials
• Proliferative colitis
• Foreign body in the intestines

These are just a few of the reasons for green stool, and sometimes, the green stool will have no apparent cause at all.

If you notice that your ferret's poop is green, monitor him for the next 24 hours. It is common for ferrets to have the occasional abnormal stool. However, if the stool doesn't return to a normal color and consistency after 24 hours, if it happens regularly over a period of time, or if you see any other symptoms that something may be wrong, schedule a veterinary appointment.