Eating
Don’t purchase ferret food from Petco or PetSmart. I REPEAT … DON’T PURCHASE FERRET FOOD FROM PETCO OR PETSMART! These cheap store brands add grain to their kibble. I learned that mistake when Squishy got bladder stones – very expensive procedure for removal. Ferrets have high protein diets and eating grain creates bladder stones and blockage. Squishy eats Orijen Cat and Kitten Grain-Free Dry Cat Food. Yes, it is pricey but your little one will be healthy and active. Plus, who wants to spend thousands at the vet? I purchase his food at Krisler Natural Pet. If you go there, ask for a punch card – get 10 punches and receive a free bag of kibble!  

Pooping
It’s not fun cleaning up poop (as with any babies.) If you plan on buying from a pet store or adopting, be prepared to clean up after your little munchkin at least 3+ more a day. Just remember, the more food you give them, the more poops you’ll have to clean up. I recommend half a handful of food, and see how that goes.

TIP: Don’t keep your ferret caged all day – only for sleeping or when you’re at work. Let them walk around when you’re home – keep a puppy pad or litter box near a corner or toilet, away from their toys. Ferrets tend to follow their human and prefer to do their business where we go. After all, they do think their human (at least mine does.)

Sleeping
Squishy has two beds, one in his cage and a puppy bed in our living room. You must baby-proof your home before letting your little ones walk around (filling in cracks or holes in walls, get rid of sharp objects on your floors – just like any baby-proofing!) In the winter, Squishy loves to cuddle up in a warm-soft blanket in his bed – I recommend a plush blanket. It’s cute to watch him tuck himself in! Don’t let your ferret roam around while you’re sleeping. Sometimes I forget to do this, and Squishy ALWAYS enters my room, climbs on my bed and smells my face or scratches my feet (playing) until I wake up. 

People
Allow your ferret to be around people. This is crucial when they’re young; it’s vital for developing social skills. If your little one is biting, I recommend dabbing ground pepper with your finger and tap it on their noses EVERY TIME they bite. I can’t remember the last time (actually I don’t think Squishy ever has) bitten anyone, besides playing.

Toys
No need to spend hundreds on toys; actually you barely have to spend $10. You want to know Squishy’s favorite toy? It’s a grocery bag; he loves to be swung around and loves that crinkle noise! Ferrets love anything that gives them an opportunity to dig. Take your little one (after getting their rabies shot) to the beach or someplace muddy. When it’s not a polar vortex in Chicago, I like to take Squishy outside in the snow and we build little snow forts.

Store Toys:
Cat feather wands
Squeaky light-weight toys  
Soft Ring Rattle

Bathing
Julia and I like to pretend to take Squishy to the spa. During his bath time, we play either meditation or classical music, dim the lights and add olive oil, rose petals and lavender to his bath. Before bathing, make sure your ferret is awake so there are no surprises in the bathtub, and make sure the water is warm. Don’t just plop them in the water and hope they can swim … instead, use your hand as a floatie and wash using a Deodorizing Ferret Shampoo with the other hand.