Ferrets belong to the family of mustelidae , like e.g. otters, badgers and skunks, and have been kept by man for centuries. Whereas in former times they were mainly kept to help hunt rabbits, they are kept primarily as pets today.
Ferrets can live for 8-10 years, and can grow to a length of 25-40 cm (females) and 60 cm (males).

Keeping Ferrets
Ferrets are very social animals and should be kept in pairs or groups. They are very active and need a lot of space to move around. Like cats, you can keep them in your flat, in a room of their own or in an aviary that has been adapted for their needs. If you let them run free, nothing is safe from them. They love climbing, crawling into things and dragging things around.
If you have intensive contact with your ferrets, they will become as tame as other pets.

Equipment
Caves and tunnels invite ferrets to hide in them, trunks offer various climbing options. Special hammocks, suspension bridges and cuddly caves connect the different elements and provide variety.

Walks
Ferrets like going for walks in nature and get used to a leash quickly. A ferret harness is ideal for that purpose.
Use the harness inside first to get your ferret used to it. The harness should not be too tight, one of your fingers should easily fit between your ferret and the harness.

Can ferrets be house-trained?
It is important for ferrets kept in a flat that there are a sufficient number of litter trays. Ferrets can be house-trained, but they don’t like covering long distances to a litter tray. Therefore there should be a litter tray filled with cat litter in every room they use, and next to each sleeping place.

Diet
Ferrets are carnivores. You can provide varied food for them by feeding raw innards and meat like beef, chicken and lamb. Pork should only be given if boiled. Cut squares of about 1-2cm, so your ferrets can chew and bite. They need small portions spread out over the day. Therefore special dry feed for ferrets should always be available, as should water. A lot of ferrets love running water and will enjoy such feeders.

Treats for dogs and cats that are almost exclusively made of fresh meat and fish are excellent for ferrets. In addition to that they love licking a bit of vitamin paste from time to time.