Skip to content
Ate something?
EN

Choose

Welcome

My pet

Emergency

Italiano Español Français Português

Choose

Ferret: lifespan, size, diet and care

Lives6–10 years
Lives bestat least two together
Spacea ferret-proofed home and several hours of play outside the cage every day
Foodmeat-based ferret food, always available
Adult weight500 g (1.1 lb) to 2 kg (4.4 lb)
What few people know

Ferrets don’t sweat: above 27 °C (81 °F) they’re at risk. In summer they need shade and cool spots.

Take the quiz: is it right for you?

How big it is

An adult is up to 40.6 cm (16 in) long, head and body.

Zoomed ×4: here you see the man up to 47.5 cm (19 in) off the ground

Manup to 47.5 cm (19 in) off the ground
Bearded dragonlong 61 cm (24 in)Cockatiellong 35 cm (14 in)Ferretlong (head and body) 50 cm (20 in)Guinea piglong 25.4 cm (10 in)Lovebirdslong 15 cm (6 in)
  1. Bearded dragonlong 61 cm (24 in)
  2. Cockatiellong 35 cm (14 in)
  3. Ferretlong (head and body) 50 cm (20 in)
  4. Guinea piglong 25.4 cm (10 in)
  5. Lovebirdslong 15 cm (6 in)

All the pets next to a person

Before it arrives

  • At least two ferrets (no more than four together, ideally littermates), all neutered or with a hormone implant
  • A ferret-proofed home, because it needs several hours a day of play outside its enclosure
  • A big enclosure with hammocks, or a sleeping box lined with a T-shirt
  • A litter box away from food and bed, with non-clumping cat litter
  • Heavy or clip-on bowls and a water bottle: they tip everything over
  • Ferret kibble, always available
  • A dry, draft-free spot at 15–21 °C (59–70 °F): they don't sweat and suffer in the heat
  • A vet who knows ferrets, found before you get them

Its home: temperature and light

The room
15–23 °C (59–73 °F)

What it eats and how often

meat-based ferret food, always available

  • Adults: every day

Meat-based ferret kibble (35–40% protein, low in carbs and fiber): weigh out the day's portion and leave it out, so it can eat whenever it wants. Treats only meat or egg, like a bit of cooked chicken or hard-boiled egg. No sugar, fruit, vegetables or dairy.

Vaccines and checkups

Distemper: as a kit at about 8, 11 and 14 weeks, then boosters every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccine (in the UK, PDSA says every year). Rabies: in the EU, required to travel to another country (EU pet passport); in the US, from 3 months of age, then as state law requires. One vaccine at a time, and stay 20 to 30 minutes at the vet after the shot: reactions are common.

A checkup at the vet every year. At least once a year, ideally every 6 to 12 months, with a vet who knows ferrets.

The care calendar

What to do, from the most frequent to the least.

  • every dayFresh food and waterWeigh out the day's portion of complete ferret food and leave it out to graze. Fresh water at all times. No sugar, fruit or dairy.
  • every weekWash bedding and hammocksClean the litter tray, the bowls and the toilet area every day.
  • every 2 weeksTrim its nailsEvery 1 to 2 weeks. Check its ears too: for mites every week, a clean once a month.
  • every monthParasite protectionFor heartworm, where there are mosquitoes, a preventive all year round; fleas and ticks as your vet advises. Intestinal worms are rare.
  • every yearVaccinesAsk your vet which ones are due: distemper (every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccine) and rabies if you travel or the law requires it. One vaccine at a time.
  • every yearCheck-up at the vetAt least once a year, ideally every 6 to 12 months, with a vet who knows ferrets.

Call the vet right away if…

If you see one of these signs, call your vet now: don’t wait for it to pass.

  • Weak back legs or staggering, a blank stare, drooling, or pawing at its mouth
  • Hasn't eaten or drunk for 24 hours, or strains but can't poop
  • Blood in its urine, or strains but can't pee
  • Thick black stools, or bloody, foul-smelling or nonstop diarrhea
  • Bluish or white gums or tongue, or trouble breathing

Ate something dangerous? What to do now

Frequently asked questions

How long does a ferret live?

Usually 6–10 years.

How big is a ferret?

An adult is up to 40.6 cm (16 in) long, head and body.

How much does a ferret weigh?

An adult usually weighs 500 g (1.1 lb) to 2 kg (4.4 lb).

What does a ferret eat, and how often?

Meat-based ferret food, always available. Meat-based ferret kibble (35–40% protein, low in carbs and fiber): weigh out the day's portion and leave it out, so it can eat whenever it wants. Treats only meat or egg, like a bit of cooked chicken or hard-boiled egg. No sugar, fruit, vegetables or dairy. Adults: every day.

Does a ferret need vaccines?

Distemper: as a kit at about 8, 11 and 14 weeks, then boosters every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccine (in the UK, PDSA says every year). Rabies: in the EU, required to travel to another country (EU pet passport); in the US, from 3 months of age, then as state law requires. One vaccine at a time, and stay 20 to 30 minutes at the vet after the shot: reactions are common.

When should a ferret see a vet right away?

Right away if you see one of these signs: weak back legs or staggering, a blank stare, drooling, or pawing at its mouth; hasn't eaten or drunk for 24 hours, or strains but can't poop; blood in its urine, or strains but can't pee. The others are above, in “Call the vet right away if…”.

How old is a ferret in human years?

There’s no serious human-years chart for a ferret: the ones online don’t cite sources. What counts is where it is in its life: its senior years start at about 4.5 to 7.5 years old.

Tools for your ferret

Age and life stageWhat and how much it eatsWhat it can eatHealthy weightVaccines and checkupsWhen to call the vetHow big it is, next to a person

Always ask your vet: this site helps you understand, it doesn’t replace a checkup.

Sources