For those who have time for them, ferrets can certainly make excellent pets. That’s so because the small creatures, which belong to the family of Mustelidae, possess several different amazing features. For instance, ferrets are known to be generally smart, playful, affectionate, entertaining, interactive, and cuddly.
However, raising a ferret requires a lot of your time and commitment. Unlike cats and dogs, ferrets are generally high-maintenance pets; this explains why it’s important to give them a lot of your attention and time. That said, when it comes to raising ferrets, one of the many questions that ferret owners often ask is can the small creatures be left alone for a day?
Although it’s a great idea to check on your ferrets once in a while, you can always leave your ferrets alone for a day. For you to do this, you need to provide them with a good and dependable water source. In addition to that, you must also provide them with enough food to sustain them for the day.
Do ferrets need a lot of attention? Is it okay to leave your ferrets alone for 24 hours? How long can you leave your ferret home alone? As you read through the rest of the article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the frequently asked questions above.
Do Ferrets Need a Lot Of Attention?
Ferrets, unlike dogs and cats, need a lot of your attention. You need to check up on them from time to time, ensuring they eat and drink well, as well as play safe. As a ferret owner, one of the things you need is to stimulate your pet physically and mentally. One way to do that is by providing them with environmental enrichment.
Diet
One of the reasons why raising a ferret requires a lot of your attention is that you need to provide them with food and fresh water m every time. Here’s why; ferrets are known to have a high metabolism and short digestive tract. With that, it means the food eaten by ferrets usually digests faster.
Furthermore, ferrets are known to overheat and dehydrate quickly – this explains why you must be around at all times to check up on your pet, making sure it eats and drinks properly.
According to health experts, prolonged feeding of soft, wet food to your ferret can cause different types of diseases to its body, including the gums and teeth. To avoid that, you need to allocate a lot of your time to them, monitoring and understanding exactly what the animal drinks and eats.
Furthermore, you need to understand that “lack of eating” is a warning sign that your ferret isn’t okay and needs to see a veterinarian immediately. But how do you know this if you don’t check up on the pet regularly?
Exercise
As you now know, it’s important to stimulate your ferret mentally and physically. One of the few ways to do that is by engaging them in exercises.
In case you don’t know, ferrets need a great deal of exercise and interaction for them to remain healthy at all times. This is why health experts often advise taking them out of their cages for about 2 to 4 hours to walk and play freely. With exercise, your ferret won’t mind being caged once in a while.
Temperature control
Another reason why your ferrets will also require a lot of your attention is that you need to help them control their temperature. Usually, a temperature range of 65°F to 75°F is considered okay and comfortable for your ferrets. But how do you help them regulate the temperature if you’re not always available for them?
Ferrets handle colds better. However, during this period, they tend to eat more. Furthermore, when the temperature is over 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s usually considered too hot and overheating for your ferrets. The best you can do in this period is to get something to cool the environment, where the ferrets reside.
Can Ferrets Be Left Alone For a Day?
You can always leave your ferrets alone for a day, especially if you have something important to do. However, you need to put everything in order before considering leaving them without supervision for 24 hours.
So, what exactly do you need to put in order before leaving the small Mustelidae species alone for a day?
- First, you need to make sure there’s a dependable water source for your ferrets. As you already know, ferrets tend to dehydrate quickly. To prevent them from falling sick, ensure to provide them access to good water.
- In addition to providing your ferrets with water, you also need to give them enough food. Ferrets have high metabolism; meaning that their food digest pretty quickly. Without adequate feeding, they can fall sick.
- Furthermore, you need to keep the environment safe before considering leaving your ferrets for a day. Ensure to regulate the temperature of their environment, especially if you leave in a climate where heat is a serious issue.
How Long Can You Leave Your Ferret Home Alone?
Depending on a couple of factors, you can always leave your ferret alone at home for days. For instance, you need to look at the size of the cage; is it big enough? Is your ferret the type that likes spending time outside the cage?
How about its behavior before now; does it require supervising it regularly? How many ferrets are you planning to leave at home? And how safe is your home for the pets to play; is it ferret-proofed?
Your answers to the above questions will determine whether or not you can leave your ferrets for days.
Generally speaking, however, ferrets can always be left alone for days – provided everything is in order. You need to make your home ferret-proofed and keep enough food, water, toys, litter box, and many more in place for the ferrets.
