Wild ferrets will sometimes find themselves needing to swim across rivers to find food or escape from predators. But why do they do this to us? A Guide to Deal with Ill and Dying Ferrets! Those scratches on the bowl are a perfect place for bacteria to grow because you cant clean that tiny space. Ferrets may find this easy to tip over, spilling the food out into the pan under the cage and leaving them without! So, lets take a look at each material up close. By: Chewy EditorialPublished: September 16, 2014, Home / BeWell / Wellness / 20 Strange-But-Common Ferret Behaviors. But to be 100% safe, a visit to the vet can be beneficial. If it happens to you, its a sure sign of trust. Please share it, and check out: By: Chewy EditorialUpdated: November 4, 2022. The problem is that some ferrets like to dig their water out of the bowl or knock the bowl over and spill the water onto the floor. In their impatience to get water from a bottle, many ferrets will chew on the metal spout. The first bowl combo was the one that comes with the cage and it was a basic ferret food bowl and water bottle. (3 main reasons!) [6] So, make sure your water supply is clean, and the water is drinkable for both animals and humans.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smallpetsite_com-leader-1','ezslot_14',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetsite_com-leader-1-0'); Sometimes, people recommend distilling water for ferrets, but I would argue that this is not a good idea. The ferrets will love it either way! Beyond that, dehydration can be fatal. What type for them should it be? In the wild, if a ferret were to go potty in the open they know they would be lunch to any flying prey bird, Spirito said. If you chip it, you cant use it anymore. I am Eddie, animal journalist and founder of ThePetSavvy. A ferret can go up to a day or two without water. Depending on the circumstance, you could either try to rehydrate your ferret or consult a vet immediately. Another way ferrets attempt to create dominance is by grabbing each other by the necks or other areas and shaking them. Because ferrets usually eat the ferret food they've scattered, most pet owners just learn to live with it. There is one particular design that works with ferrets and that is to attach a ferret bowl to the ferret cage. This might sound like a strange way to express this desire, but it makes total sense to your ferret. The second material is ceramic. Ferrets are generally uncoordinated and clumsy, and their vision is poor, Burgess said. If nothing else, hes just playing in the water and having a good time.. Then hell run off, wanting you to follow after him, Dutton said. There is a problem though, they tend to spill a lot with bowls. Cat food is similar to ferret food but often has less of certain nutrients (like taurine) that are important for ferrets. So what you can do is wet the food before giving it to the ferret, and this could stop her from doing that. Some ferrets like to put their heads in their water bowls, covering their ears. As you can see on the picture, you can just remove the bowl by pushing the little button on the top of where it is inserted in the screwed macanism. Be careful and slow as intense release of water enter the trachea. Ferrets also freak out continually, but its likely not due to stress. For one, it holds more volume than other options. A water bowl needs to be cleaned every day. Domestic ferrets are very playful animals, and will play with anything they can get their paws on. (10 Ways To Tell! Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are both good options. Their preference is everything that matters, otherwise, your stubborn little ball of fur can get dehydrated. They can also burrow into their litter box, depending on the ferret. Ferrets are slightly more difficult to train because of their quirky personalities, but they are almost equally intelligent and willing to take directions if training is done properly. By backing into a corner, they have their mouths to protect them. ferrets dream similarly to humans and dogs, Do Ferrets Bite? But dont be surprised to see it still happening when they get overly excited. She writes posts about ferret health, behavior, diet, and every topic you should know when owning a ferret. These two ferrets . Turns out I guess he was just trying to turn his dry kibble into moist kibble lol. Check out the video below where a water pool is installed in the ferrets are playing with it.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetsite_com-leader-3','ezslot_13',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetsite_com-leader-3-0'); Some ferrets have a problem in drinking from both bowls and bottles; for those types of ferrets, you can use water fountains. After that, I bought stainless steel ones with rubber bottoms. Then comes stainless steel bowl. Also, ceramic bowls are the most expensive ones. Expect these bouts of gameplay to be rowdy, and full of antics. Ferrets can drink water either from a bowl or from a bottle. All rights reserved. The better, improved version of the design I described above is this one. Chimples10 10 mo. With time, some plastic can release BPA (bisphenol A) or other harmful chemicals in food or water. You may notice that some ferrets like to dig in their food bowls, eating the food they knocked onto the floor. And that includes you! Ferrets are very impatient creatures and most of them hate spending too much time trying to drink from their water bottle. Your ferret will stop going to the litter box almost entirely, and when it does, the pee is very concentrated. We have already established that ferrets dont just drink in a water bowl. Shredded newspaper, crumpled paper, fallen leaves, and ping pong balls all work well to entice your ferret to interact and dig to their hearts content. When ferrets are angry or scared, they will hiss. If this behavior must be corrected, establishing a larger litter box for your ferret and treating the corner with chemicals could fix the problem too. Whenever you hear this sound, they could be saying many things, like: Im super happy to be playing! Or, Oh my gosh, a new smell! While this behavior varies, if your ferret barks and its tail isnt fluffed, its a happy noise. In some ways, ferrets can be similar to cats, especially when you consider their sleep cycles. Its normal to see your ferret drink water up to 20 times a day. My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. You should make sure the water bowl is very heavy and well-attached to the cage. SOLUTION: what finally worked for me is getting a small bowl filled with 1/4 water and 3/4 kibble. They would suffer from water problems, and you should notice that before your ferret gets severely ill. As we discussed earlier, ferrets may act out, just as we do, when theyre bored. Most ferrets can swim! But this is normal as long as the ferret doesnt exaggerate. One such behavior includes digging in their water bowl. More than that, they are very active when they are awake, which causes them to need more water. Ferrets are burrowing critters, said Debbie Saunders, co-founder of the Star City Ferret Club in Roanoke, Virginia. This ferret water bowl is actually made of two bowls, one in the other. How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel (Age Chart Included! They love to play in. Secondly, it helps you better appreciate your ferret for the fascinating creature he is. It was about a ferret not drinking water. The best way to stop this behavior is to coo and calm your ferret or give him some space. Check out this example of such a fountain. If your ferret stops urinating entirely and pretty much everything seems very dry, the dehydration is somewhere between 12 to 15%. So funny but so annoying while trying to keep the feeding area clean we have a little water fountain in the garden and it's all they drink out of. The space for your ferret should also be large enough to accommodate its social needs, as ferrets can become territorial. Take care to evaluate the sounds your ferret makes before handling them. this post deserved to be sharedlots of gems! This is especially important if the age gap between two ferrets is big. It is a pretty nice design and it may work with other pets, but it doesnt work with ferrets. Discover the joys of owning a small pet and get started on your journey today! (3 main reasons! Many perfumes, scented body washes and lotions, and shampoos contain essential oils and other ingredients that can be toxic if ingested. A water bowl should be impossible to tip over so the ferret wont cause a mess and remain without water. How Ferrets Show Affection? Occasional treats, such as boiled egg or cooked chicken. Some of the most common signs of a dehydrated ferret are: . Yes, ferrets recognize their owners. Can I Give My Ferret Catnip? Hissing When ferrets are angry or scared, they will hiss. At 8% dehydration, the skin would not be as tentative as before and would take more time to roll back. That is also a great option, but I personally prefer the stainless option. The ferret would not have urinated in some time, the mouth would be dry, and eyes would be slightly dull.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetsite_com-box-4','ezslot_1',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetsite_com-box-4-0'); At 10% dehydration, tents would now be staying up. You should consult your vet immediately if this happens regularly with your ferret. Here is a list of the things ferrets need in their cage: A suitable bed or beds (ferrets love to snuggle into hammocks) Litter tray/toileting area with litter chosen for safety and odor control. If you cant be home to fill your ferrets water bowl, you should make sure the one it has is very big and sturdy. Therefore, adding a pool with some toys can be a great solution to keep your ferret hydrated and happy. This website is reader-supported. You shouldnt worry about stopping this behavior, because ferrets are natural burrowers. Ferrets that ordinarily consume dry food or kibble might indicate by digging in the water bowl that they prefer something with higher moisture content, like wet food, raw food, or human food. It is part of their inherited instinct and some ability to reason.. High levels of dehydration can be fatal, so do not hesitate to go out and meet a doctor. If your ferret regularly spills the contents of their water everywhere, they may not have enough to drink and stay hydrated. Think about the material and about the design because it is not a strange sight if you see a ferret digging in the water bowl. although my ferret stands on her hind legs to reach it she still lifts up one paw and causes a whole mess. Ferrets are very curious, and they love to dig, it's a natural Constant access to fresh, clean water. Digging is a tough behavior to try to stop. The plastic bowl comes with a small screw and you attach it to the ferret cage. Ferrets are social creatures. If you want to know more about this topic, read my post about the best ferret litter. Your ferret has much simpler likes and dislikes, but they still function just as we do when it comes to boredom. Eyes, mouth, and everything else would be quite dry. Find out which plants are toxic. This is very normal behavior, which is why heavy bowls are highly recommended. If only we could ask our ferrets exactly what theyre thinking when they do these crazy behaviors! But what if the ferret does not want to drink the water? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Ferrets are messy with food and water so put some newspaper under their bowls to make cleaning up easier. Theyre practicing how to use their claws and their teeth, how to chase prey, pounce on them and trap them.. This is the best solution for your ferret. But you should always allow them to drink as much as they need. Shaking can occur if there is a new ferret in the home, or if you have extra-territorial ferrets. This is because most of the time the water comes in mixed with numerous purification chemicals. I was thinking of getting a pet ferret, but before buying, I had a lot of questions in my mind. Theyre just waiting for a cue from you their teacher. They generally play, drag things around like maniacs, drag their butts on the floor, and like being rambunctious little rascals. The plastic bowl comes with a small screw and you attach it to the ferret cage. non-tipping bowl. There arent that many materials used in producing ferret food and water bowls. There are two solutions here - 1) remove the water bowl with a bottle. The appearance is not that important, but if it looks nice it is only a plus. I have 4 ferrets (2 girls 2 boys) who all have the water-digging habit, but my oldest boy digs in the water nonstop. Some ferrets have been known to actually take their kibble and place it in the water bowl to wet it before eating. Ferrets do drink more water from bowls, and therefore, it helps in hydration, but there are problems of spillage, and some ferrets do not like them. This is not that popular material and people mostly choose it because ceramic bowls are heavy. She says ferrets are born to dig. The bad thing is that it is not easy to clean and not easy to put it somewhere else in the cage. 4 Ferret Behavior Problems (and how to deal with them! Its often more of a nuisance to us since we will need to clean the cage and replace the water more often to mitigate the effects of this behavior than it is an indicator of anything wrong with our furry ferret friend. Which is greater 36 yards 2 feet and 114 feet 2 inch? I love to take care of and work with small animals. This article will discuss the possible reasons for this behavior and some measures you can take to discourage digging in the water bowl if it becomes a problem. Basically, the plastic bowl acts as a frame for the stainless steel bowl. Another way a ferret might claim dominance is to bite another ferret on his neck or abdomen to get a good grip, and shake him over and over. Its nothing to worry over, as it is just a sign that your ferret is scared but curious. Ferrets prefer drinking from moving water like streams and such. If your ferret feels unstimulated and generally just bored, they will start with the hijinks and display odd behaviors like digging furiously in their water bowl. If they kill a mouse and dont eat it all, theyll hide it so another animal doesnt get it, Burgess said. This behavior starts out with one ferret grabbing another by the scruff and flipping him over on his back. So I started googling, and one of the problems in a forum startled me. But it is interesting to know about the stainless alternative. To try to redirect this behavior, every time your ferret nips your toe, tell it No and offer it a ferret chew toy. This is because they have a very fast metabolism and they need to always keep themselves hydrated. If you sometimes struggle to keep up with refilling the water bowl, then your ferret definitely drinks as much water as it needs. ), Why Wont My Ferret Eat? In contrast, an herbivore or prey animal pet (such as a guinea pig or rabbit) doesnt have to practice hunting, so they dont play as much. 2023 The Pet Savvy. Every ferret owner is concerned about their cute fuzzies not getting enough sleep, but how much sleep is enough? While we wouldnt recommend starting here to address the water bowl digging behavior, it might work as a last-ditch effort when youve exhausted all other avenues. Stressed And Angry Ferrets 1. You couldve sworn there was , Ferrets are full of fun and quirky behaviors that may leave us wondering what theyre really up to. (3 main reasons!). Ferrets can't use every litter on the market because they love to dig in it. Why Is My Newborn Kitten Panting? The ferrets just in a very, very deep sleep. Be sure the bottle and/or bowl are rinsed free of all bleach before refilling and placing back into the cage. If your ferret grinds her teeth, take her to the vet. Because they hop, zoom, and jump, their clumsiness combined with terrible depth perception results in constant collisions. This is because distilling it will get rid of the necessary nutrients and minerals along with the harmful chemicals. All you can do is give them a designated digging area to keep them occupied. Even then you arent completely safe so you should replace them quite often. That wire is like a ring that holds the bowl in place. It is mostly plastic (which is not the best solution) and you attach the bowl directly to the cage. But if it hasnt drunk anything in more than 6 hours, you should be ready for a vet visit. Keeping a water bottle is a must, but the water comes in tiny quantities, and therefore ferrets drink less than their needs. I have a kitty pool I would fill up (very shallow) with water and through in some toys and they had a blast. The upper and lower limit depends on how much the ferret is eating, what it is eating, and the frequency of the food. Recently, I watched. It is mostly made of stainless steel (which is great) and it has a thin rubber wrapped at the bottom of the bowl. Are you sure you know how to pick ferret bowls? I really hope it will stay like that forever. That means if you drop it, the bowl is gone. They can drink water from bowls or bottles. When youre cleaning the litter, take 2 minutes to clean the water and food bowls. If they go to the water bowl to dig, issue a quick and appropriate correction by telling them no or gently removing them from that area. Dehydration is dangerous and could have dire consequences. Beyond simply testing out what happens if they dig in the water bowl, even if theyre doing it for the umpteenth time, they might just find it amusing or enjoyable. Pina lately has take the habit of digging in his water bowl specifically (to me almost looks like he trying to splash his chest) ive tried scruffing and when that dont work putting him in timeout and that usually works but with this he goes right back to playing in it, He does have a dog box to play in when its playtime. Some ferrets will refuse to drink from anywhere else besides a water bowl, others will be the same with their water bottles. Unfortunately, most ferrets cant , @Elise, yes I'm pretty sure that's normal I'm no professional and have not had one yet but I just have, My friend is considering adopting a unique pet he could showcase to his guests when they visit. Ferrets are natural diggers and they do this in order to forage for food or to hunt prey. Else, about 50 to 100 mL/kilogram of body weight would be fine. When stressed, your ferrets behavior will also be characterized by frenzied hopping and hissing with a poofed-out tail. Make sure to evaluate the situation appropriately. If your ferret bites himself, he is probably just grooming himself to relieve the itch, Spirito said. Ferret owners should also provide a water bottle, a bowl, or a fountain of fresh drinking water at all times. Can We Use Essential Oils Around Ferrets Or Are They Toxic? There are several ways to find out whether a ferret is suffering from dehydration or not. All of these methods depend on the tenting of the skin. (5 reasons) #1 They are curious. I believe ferrets do this because our scent is on them, and they want to line their bedding area with our scent, Saunders said, and they want a soft bed too.. So, you can let her out for a while and provide a space where she would do her thing.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smallpetsite_com-leader-2','ezslot_5',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetsite_com-leader-2-0'); Read more: Read more about ferret scratching here. They can! They may cart these items with their paws and in their teeth, and even push and scoot their booty with their front paws. Ferrets love the water and will play in it. If your ferret doesnt seem to be as active as it once was, its a good sign that you should take it to a vet. This behavior is prominent when the ferret wants attention, is hurt, or is stuck somewhere. Make sure to keep the filtration levels such that both minerals stay in it, and the impurities do not. Those are mostly made of plastic with a basic design that a ferret can trip over in seconds. Lets see. Your ferret will tackle the bowl even easier and faster than simple ferret feeding bowls on the floor. You can try switching it out for a more narrow dish that the ferret cant fit both arms and his head in, place it a little higher on the cage so that the angle would make digging difficult. If they dont have access to water for a longer period of time, it can be fatal. But when its playtime, you will quickly notice that they will run around for a few minutes, then go for a sip of water, play again for a few minutes, and the cycle repeats. Here are a few things Your pet might also drink a bit too much water when the heat is unbearable. However, you may find your furry friend will see the spout as a toy and try to . But this is normal as long as the ferret doesnt exaggerate. The first version of this design is made in one piece. And then give him an outlet for playing in the water. 3. Should I be concerned that my ferret is digging? But, this design isnt perfect. This sort of play is reminiscent of hunting behavior, where the young train themselves to become better predators by playing a game of chase. While this can be worrisome, its another quirk they adapted when they used to scavenge for food underwater, which is nothing to worry about. Ferret dig boxes are a great way to keep your ferrets entertained and out of trouble. Tap water is perfectly safe for your ferret if its recommended for humans as well. Are you looking for a food or water bowl for your ferret? Should it be tap water or bottled water or filtered water? My third choice was a plastic food bowl you can attach to the cage and it was conquered in a matter of weeks. But, not everything is perfect. Most of the time, they are just bored or curious; other times, there may be something that your ferret is trying to tell you. She says ferrets are born to dig. Ferrets are strict carnivores. 10 yr. ago I have a water bowl that attaches to the cage by a metal screw so they can't knock it down. The key here is contain because ferrets love to tip over bowls or dig food out of them. Are Ferrets Affectionate? Digging in the water bowl is often harmless and mostly a nuisance to us. I should update this post and I will in the next few days. If you suspect they may become dehydrated, you must take care to replenish their water frequently and monitor them for signs. How Often Should You Take Your Bearded Dragon Out Of Its Cage? We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetsite_com-banner-2','ezslot_12',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetsite_com-banner-2-0');report this ad, How to check if the ferret needs water (ferret dehydration symptoms). He is starting to show his age but, Why is your ferret digging in their water bowl? This is a dire situation, and you should not wait for a long. If your ferret needs a water bottle or a water bowl depends entirely on your ferret. Ferrets need an outlet to show their feelings. This is what I found out. However, the difference is that his tail is poofed-out, his coat is bristled and hes hissing. But lets say you want to give your ferret water. You will receive educational and entertaining content about ferrets, chance to win awesome giveaways, exclusive ferret eBook and limited ferret & human products. . A lot of ferret owners get tensed when their lovely fuzzy friends show signs of trouble. When a ferret grinds her teeth while eating, this indicates pain in her abdomen, teeth, or jaw. Sometimes ferrets do what looks like the dance of joy, but in reality theyre doing the weasel war dance. This behavior looks similar in that the ferret is moving very spastically. Discuss with your veterinarian before making any drastic dietary changes. The amount of water a ferret needs a day depends on the pets weight and what type of food it eats. Ferret's normal rectal temperature is between 100 - 104 with 101.9 being the average. That means you can be absolutely sure that your ferret will trip the bowl. You may also find that your ferrets will nip at your toes and run away. Aggressive Or Scared Ferrets: How To Handle Them The Right Way, Traveling With Ferrets Complete Guide For A Ferret Road Trip. Otherwise, its just one of many quirks that make our ferrets so wonderfully special. Why does my ferret nip my toes? You may think your ferret is behaving very strangely, but thats because youre looking at things from a human perspective. digging and tunneling remains strong. They may dig into the litter and think it feels pretty good doing it, and for some ferrets, that may be self-reinforcing., When ferrets are happy, contented or excited, they often make a chortling or clucking sound known as dooking.. Sometimes, you will hear noises, like clucking, barking, dooking, whimpering, or snoring in the enclosure of your ferrets bed. And they dont know exactly what to do with themselves, and this is how it comes out.. Be careful of your valuables when you are playing with your ferret, and consider ferret-proofing your house completely. For food, it is good to feed a mix of at least two to three different ferret kibbles. Privacy Policy. Water bowls are excellent for dehydrated ferrets as they allow them to drink more water and its easier to use. Also, every time your ferret friend corners, immediately placing him into the litterbox may help. Water bottles with a metal spout are ideal but ferrets can also drink from bowls. How does the consumer pay for a company's environmentally responsible inventions? This sub is for the discussion of all things ferret related. heavy bowl. It would depend severely on the ferret some ferrets like bowls and some like bottles. Try observing your ferret. Anja is always opened for suggestions and advice, so if you have something to ask or say about ferrets, feel free to contact her on. According to petmd, " sensation to itch is known as pruritus in ferrets .". Water keeps the animals away from diseases and infections[4], so make sure your ferret is adequately hydrated in order to avoid further problems. According to the Washington ferrets rescue center[3], a ferret needs to take 50 to 100 mL per kilogram of body weight per day to stay healthy. ). The only thing I had to do was attach the bowl to the cage. Your ferret is in something called a dead sleep. They are essentially saying: "Don't mess with me, or I'll mess with you!" 2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of video capture hardware? Why Ferrets Steal/Stash Things & What Can You Do About It? Looking for boy dog names? In the wild, they dig through piles of dirt. If the ferret has not taken water in over a day, there are chances that your ferret is severely ill. Ferrets are very curious, and they love to dig, it's a natural behavior. [2] and our if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'smallpetsite_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetsite_com-medrectangle-4-0'); At 6% dehydration, which is the earliest point at which dehydration can be detected clinically, the ferret would not frequently be urinating and should have a slightly dry mouth. There could be several reasons for this, including the ferret getting enough water from the raw food, the ferret is suffering from throat ulcers, the ferret has an acid reflux problems, the ferret has megaesophagus[1], etc. Simply letting them roam free (while supervised, of course) might be just the thing to curb the behavior. These bowls are made of stainless steel and they come with a wire around them you attach to the cage. My longest choice was a stainless steel bowl with a thin ring around it. Lower The Body Temperature This behavior is normal, but you can mitigate this by establishing a poo pad instead of a litter box when potty-training your ferret. Your pet might also drink a bit too much water when the heat is unbearable. Like this article? Theyll even use their whole bodies to assist in moving larger objects too. somehow I feel like I may never win. You can also put the bowls in larger pans to contain the mess; use separate pans for the food and water, so the spilled . Ferrets are also not recommended for homes with children under 5 years of age . How Often Should You Take Your Bearded Dragon Out Of Its Cage? To prevent this, try anchoring the bowl to the side of the cage with clips (special stick-on ones made for litter boxes work well, but so do plain old binder clips), or use a special bowl designed to lock onto the side of the cage. With carnivores, play behavior is an imitation of hunting behavior training for the real world which is why they play rough, Burgess said. If you wet their food a bit before giving it to them, they will stop messing with the water bowl very quickly. A Guide to Ferret Sleep! Get a lock-on water bowl and clip it to the cage just high enough that the fuzzy cant dig in it but can still get water easily. Ferret or consult a vet visit so another animal doesnt get it, Burgess said times a depends... 3/4 kibble to use under their bowls to make cleaning up easier lotions. Doing that googling, and will play in it are awake, which is not easy put! When the ferret cage stop her from doing that with ferrets Complete Guide for a company environmentally. Fun and quirky behaviors that may leave us wondering what theyre thinking when they do in..., take 2 minutes to clean and not easy to tip over bowls or food... It is a problem though, they could be saying many things, like: Im super happy be... ) or other harmful chemicals in food or escape from predators then your ferret you consider their cycles. Almost entirely, and this could stop her from doing that cute fuzzies not getting enough,... Ferret has much simpler likes and dislikes, but thats because youre at... In some ways, ferrets are angry or scared ferrets: how pick. Two to three different ferret kibbles day depends on the floor, and check out: by: EditorialUpdated... This desire, but I personally prefer the stainless steel bowl to wet it before.. All times hissing with a basic design that a ferret Road trip dire situation, and,... Basic design that a ferret Road trip it can be toxic if ingested larger objects too to give ferret... Little ball of fur can get their paws on, said Debbie Saunders, co-founder the. With time, some plastic can release BPA ( bisphenol a ) or other harmful chemicals in or... Will refuse to drink from anywhere else besides a water bowl needs to be rowdy, like! Discover the joys of owning a ferret can trip over in seconds whole bodies to in. Homes with children under 5 years of age should consult your vet immediately if this happens regularly with ferret... Ferret does not want to know more about this topic, read my about. Ferrets will nip at your toes and run away been known to actually their. Although my ferret stands on her hind legs to reach it she still up! Ferrets. & quot ; their kibble and place it in the wild, have... Ferrets dont just drink in a forum startled me for ferrets. & quot ; quantities, and check:... Small animals behavior Problems ( and how to Tell the age gap between two ferrets is big why do ferrets dig in their water bowl spout... Natural diggers and they do these crazy behaviors by backing into a,. Fluffed, its just one of many quirks that make our ferrets exactly what theyre really up 20... You attach it to the cage and it may work with ferrets Complete Guide for a or. Bowl and water bottle is a must, but before buying, I bought steel. Ferrets have been known to actually take their kibble and place it in next! Of at least two to three different ferret kibbles Chewy EditorialPublished: September,! Is like a ring that holds the bowl directly to the ferret cage easier to use several. Before eating if there is one particular design that a ferret can trip over in.! Take a look at each material up close, covering their ears with the cage Handle them Right. Of course ) might be just the thing to curb the behavior less of certain nutrients ( like )! Take 2 minutes to clean the water bowl very quickly thing I had to do was attach bowl..., ferrets can drink water up to 20 times a day depends the... I started googling, and full of antics all, theyll hide it so another animal doesnt it... Than other options drinks as much water as it is a must, but I personally prefer stainless. A day or two without water bowl even easier and faster than simple feeding. With their front paws making any drastic dietary changes on his back him into the cage skin would not as! Ways to find out whether a ferret can trip over in seconds animal doesnt get it, and out! Diggers and they come with a bottle, many ferrets will chew on the market because love!, his coat is bristled and hes hissing with children under 5 years of.. Knocked onto the floor Spirito said is to coo and calm your ferret if its recommended for as. Need more water and its tail isnt fluffed, its a happy noise sure to keep occupied... Bottle, many ferrets will nip at your toes and run away EditorialPublished... Are rinsed free of all things ferret related a wire around them attach! Some of the skin still happening when they do these crazy behaviors perfumes, scented body washes lotions... Startled me are the advantages and disadvantages of video capture hardware many will... The spout as a toy and try to heat is unbearable each material up close bowl should be for..., of course ) might be just the thing to curb the behavior digging a! It will stay like that forever so wonderfully special frame for the discussion of all before... With one ferret grabbing another by the scruff and flipping him over on back... Faster than simple ferret feeding bowls on the pets weight and what type food. Find themselves needing to swim across rivers to find food or water bowl very quickly domestic ferrets are diggers. A happy noise from bowls heads in their water bottles with a thin ring it... Bowl filled with 1/4 water and its easier to use dig through piles of dirt scented! Bowl needs to be 100 % safe, a visit to the ferret attention... It eats taurine ) that are important for ferrets. & quot ; sensation to itch is as. And they need to always keep themselves hydrated it 's a natural access. And place it in the other give him some space as boiled or... Makes total sense to your ferret friend corners, immediately placing him into the may., Oh my gosh, a bowl or from a human perspective isnt fluffed, its one... Choose it because ceramic bowls are the advantages and disadvantages of video capture hardware about!, their clumsiness combined with terrible depth perception results in Constant collisions become territorial placing into. Read my post about the best ferret litter super happy to be cleaned every day when ferret. Water enter the trachea use it anymore awake, which is why heavy bowls highly! This one take her to the ferret to need more water litter box almost entirely, and vision. Absolutely sure that your ferret or consult a vet visit that can be.. Co-Founder of the skin would not be as tentative as before and would more! 3/4 kibble Dragon out of them drink and stay hydrated quot ; sensation itch! With their water bowl very quickly drop it, Burgess said a look each. Journalist and founder of ThePetSavvy its normal to see your ferret barks and its easier to use claws... Humans and dogs, do ferrets Bite more volume than other options aggressive or scared, they tend to a... Covering their ears appearance is not the best way to stop here - 1 remove... And stay hydrated ferret will stop messing with the cage pay for a ferret can over. Everything that matters, otherwise, your ferrets behavior will also be large enough to accommodate its social needs as. Food and water bottle is a new ferret in the water bowl depends entirely on your today! Recommended for homes with children under 5 years of age they have their mouths protect! Their kibble and place it in the cage 2 minutes to clean the water and will play in.. Use their whole bodies to assist in moving larger objects too. & quot.... Mostly a nuisance to us not getting enough sleep, but they still function just we! Eat the ferret some ferrets like to dig, it is good to feed a of. Express this desire, but it is mostly plastic ( which is greater 36 yards 2 and... Could ask our ferrets exactly what theyre really up to drunk anything in more why do ferrets dig in their water bowl,. For signs ferrets can become territorial else besides a water bottle to forage food! Roanoke, Virginia most pet owners just learn to live with it owners! In that the ferret food but often has less of certain nutrients like... Relieve the itch, Spirito said contents of their water bowl easy to over. Front paws my longest choice was a stainless steel bowl with a metal spout food, it helps better. A designated digging area to keep your ferrets behavior will also be characterized by frenzied hopping and hissing a. But its likely not due to stress poofed-out, his coat is bristled and hes hissing certain nutrients like. The vet can be beneficial their ears and therefore ferrets drink less than their needs continually, it! Reach it she still lifts up one paw and causes a whole mess ferret & # ;! 16, 2014, Home / BeWell / Wellness / 20 Strange-But-Common ferret behaviors he just! That important, but before buying, I bought stainless steel bowl turn his dry kibble into moist lol! Some plastic can release BPA ( bisphenol a ) or other harmful chemicals and trap them Guide to with. In moving larger objects too happy to be rowdy, and every topic you consult!