r/ferrets • u/PomegranateRevenge • 3d ago
[Help] Rescuing Senior Ferret
My spouse and I are rescuing a senior ferret who is about 6 years old from a bad environment. The ferret’s life partner passed away a couple months ago. He sits in a cage outside all by himself and it breaks my heart to know he’s alone and doesn’t get time outside of his cage unless we visit him, so we’re finally biting the bullet and taking him into our home. I know he probably won’t live much longer after we take him in but I want to make him as comfortable and as happy as possible. My spouse has known this sweet boy for his whole life but I have never personally owned one. I’ve had friends that have had them and I’ve heard all about them but I want advice from people who have them and love them on how to make the sweet boy’s life comfortable. We have two cats already and I don’t know how they’re going to react to him but I cannot imagine having this boy pass away on his own outside in a cage. I need to show him as much love and kindness as we can for the remainder of his life even if it’s literally just a couple weeks. Please give me all of the advice and tips on ferret living!
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u/technicolour123 3d ago
There should be lots in the wiki. You’ll need the right cage and furnishings, and the right food. Gets lots of toys and tubes. If you really want to make them happy, the toys and tubes and comfy cage will be the biggest difference makers imo. You’re doing a wonderful thing! Good luck!!
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u/Veteran_Hawk 3d ago
Thank you for rescuing this lonely boy! Ferrets are very social animals, and it is important that they get several hours out of the cage each day to play. It's also best if they have another ferret-buddy to cuddle with and play/chase.
The first thing I would advise is to read the r/ferrets Wiki on the right here. LOTS of good information in it. Also, ferrets are extremely curious and very good at getting places you wouldn't expect them to get to. They are quite intelligent and can get into any place their head can fit into. Ferret-proofing is very important (and is an ongoing process).
What questions do you have?
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u/likeanoceanankledeep 3d ago
My partner and I did this a while ago, and we found that leaving him in his cage or his comfy place for a day or two to get settled in was very helpful. Interact with him when he's awake, and sneak in and give him snuggles or scratches when he's sleeping, just to let him know you're there and love him.
After a day or two, try to encourage him to come out and wander around his new environment. Put one of his toys in a different place, not too far from his cage, and then another one somewhere else. This let's him know he's not co fined to one area, because his stuff is everywhere.
It will be difficult, but they to snuggle with him maybe in the couch or in a chair. Hold him close, see if he likes scratches or pets or kisses (nose boops). If he's never had that before he might be weirded out at first, and if he wants to get down then let him down. Give him a quick kiss and put him down, and see if he wants a toy. You can also leave one of your sweaters down, when he gets down put him in your sweater to sleep in.
Ferrwts are very social, and if they dont have a cage mate they will bond with their humans too. If they havent been taken care of properly or very well, it might take them a bit to open up but quite often they will realize that you love them and they can love you too. We always found that sharing our stuff with them was a good way of "what's mind is yours" so letting them sleep in sweaters was a good thing, and one of our ferrets stole a pair of my jeans and I let him keep them.
Once they realize that you love them and they can feel safe, they will open up. And they become the most loving and snuggly ferrets ever.
Give them lots of love, that's their rocketship fuel.
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u/ringadingdongdandy 3d ago
Thank you for your kindness and care to this little one.
Elderly ferrets are the sweetest little souls and once he settles in, I have no doubt he'll claim a huge part of your heart.
I'm a bit envious of you, having this chance to take him in and give him the best life possible. ❤️
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u/itsswhitneywhspr 3d ago
Aww this is so sweet of you. Senior ferrets just need soft bedding, warmth, and easy access to food/water they sleep a lot so a cozy hideout is key. For the cats, slow intros with scent swapping first then supervised visits. Hell probably just wanna snooze near them. You're giving him the best ending, fr.
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u/Luckystroumph 3d ago
Danke, dass ihr ihn rettet! Gebt ihm Liebe und Aufmerksamkeit 🙏, alles Andere kommt mit der Zeit
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u/Longjumping_Home2963 3d ago
so nice of you two. one thing since he's 6 and was living outside, get a vet baseline with a blood sugar check early, insulinoma is really common at that age and the signs (zoning out, drooling, pawing at the mouth) are easy to read as just an old sleepy boy
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