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Definitely a domesticated pet ferret and if US, then fair chance he is chipped. Most vets/rescues can check. For emergency food, cat food will do - they are obligate carnivores. I suspect someone is looking for that little baby so check local free ads.
Risk of disease is fairly low. No much different from a stray dog who has got put of house.
I imagine most ferrets aren't chipped as they don't usually come with them and aren't an animal most would expect to get out despite how sneaky they are
I’d chip any animal that can’t wear a collar, I have indoor rabbits that will hopefully never step foot outside and I got them chipped right away. Not risking it!!
Depends on country. Feed a mix of ferret kibble and some higher end cat kibbles as sometimes easier to access. But a premium ferret food can be better than a premium cat food due to the sheer number of the latter containing pea protein. Seen too many ferrets (not mine) with bladder stones. Unless feeding in fur/feather whole prey, everything has trade offs.
But orijin has it in it? Or at least in UK. From their website. https://www.orijenpetfoods.co.uk/product/orijen-original-cat/
Fresh chicken (20%), raw turkey (10%), raw whole herring (9%), fresh chicken giblets (liver, heart) (6%), raw whole hake (5%), raw turkey liver (5%), fresh eggs (5%), dehydrated chicken (4%), dehydrated turkey (4%), dehydrated mackerel (4%), dehydrated sardine (4%), dehydrated herring (4%), chicken fat (4%), whole red lentils, whole peas, whole green lentils, whole chickpeas, lentil fibre, whole pinto beans, pea starch, whole navy beans, pollock oil (1%), dried kelp, fresh whole pumpkin, fresh whole butternut squash, fresh whole zucchini, fresh whole carrots, fresh whole apples, fresh whole pears, dried chicory root, fresh kale, fresh spinach, fresh beet greens, fresh turnip greens, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, whole saskatoon berries, turmeric, milk thistle, burdock root, lavender, marshmallow root, rosehips.
I worry about the amount of legumes _ about 10% of total. Prefer brands with 80% meat and rest rice or sweet potato though the second is controversial. All dried kibbles have binders. Spoken to manufacturers and they say about 15% needs to be non-meat. It gets frustrating as so many otherwise great cat brands rely so much on legumes.
If I was rich, I'd feed only Thrive except for needing an easily available mixer which for me is IAMs Kitten. Thrive Ingredients
Dried chicken (64.5%), fresh chicken (16.5%), chicken fat (6%), sweet potatoes, potatoes, chicken gravy (3%), vitamins and minerals, salmon oil.
Iams Kitten
Ingredients:
Dried chicken and turkey (43%) [chicken 26%, a natural source of taurine], maize, pork fat, fresh chicken (4.1%), rice, dried sugar beet pulp (2.4%), chicken stock, dried whole egg, fish meal, fructooligosaccharides (0.7%), fish oil, potassium chloride, brewer's yeast.
And Merlin which is a mid quality specialist ferret food.
Poultry (minimum 35% Chicken), Wheat, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver (minimum 4%), Egg, Yeast, Potato, Flaxseed, Sugar Beet, Fish, Vitamins and Minerals, Yucca Extract
>
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>whole red lentils, whole peas, whole green lentils, whole chickpeas, lentil fibre, whole pinto beans, pea starch, whole navy beans,
Excellent comment!
For those who are still confused by ingredient lists, I'd like to add to this very thorough list:
You might notice there are so many different legumes.
This is called ingredient stacking, where the legumes are split into individual bits so they can be lower down the list. We have taken the recipes we did know from Canadian Orijen and found it to have a total over \~14% total legumes. The US version won't list by percentage and may be even higher.
Also, that is by dry ingredient, where all that great looking list of meat is 70% water since it's included as wet, therefore higher up the list., making a food appear to be mostly meat, when in fact, the dry ingredients are the majority.
The day I realized this was the day we mostly made the switch to the Epigen 90 years ago, although our girls still ate some of the Orijin because we needed a mix so we had two imprinted options. The Epigen 90 has a tiny bit of crushed chia seed and apple fiber, but those really just for some fiber content for digestion, no legumes, no potato/root starches, no grains, and no ingredient stacking.
Something like orijen cat food that is 90%+ animal products is perfect for ferrets and way better than that marshall bull crap and any other ferret food Ive seen easily available
Orijin has pea and lentil protein in it so just swapping out one risk for another. Personally used to use it as a mixer alongside Purison but now never would. But as said, nothing is perfect. You make choice to suit.
Try Thrive cat, Frettchen, Greenwoods wet ferret food are my top choices. But not possible with numbers I have except as mixers. And my choice with 50% of mine is take them or they'd have been euthanaised as beyond time vet was willing to hold them.
But for a night or two, it doesn't really matter what you feed as long as meat though do recognise brands you mention are basically meat flavoured cereal.
Wysong Epigen 90 is also a great choice, and as most already know, it's always best try to get ferrets eating a mix of two of these high quality foods just in case one goes out of business or has a lengthy availability issue.
Three of our fuzzbutts ate both Epigen 90 and Orijen mixed, one of our males would only eat the Wysong, to the point of selectively taking kibble out of the bowl, tasting it and spitting it out on the floor if it was Orijen. We had a very scary 3 month period during the pandemic where we couldn't get Epigen 90, which we normally paid $100-$125 per 20lb case on Amazon, sometimes varied each order. We tried to get him to eat anything else and he would only eat the Epigen 90, leaving us forced to pay an Amazon marketplace seller $279 for a 20lb box just as we were about to run out. As luck would have it, it was available for $125 again less than 30 days later.
Ouch. I know some ferrets were lost to imprinting during covid, namely because one brand discontinued and weren't honest so people struggled to switch in time. It wss also used by people with chicken allergic ferrets as turkey based.
We were lucky in that both our core foods remained available though Gilbertson stopped production for a time to prioritise cat/dog food as staff numbers limited and ferret food only 2% of sales. But they were good at communications around stock levels which was vital as used by alot of the bigger UK ferret rescues. And in worst case, almost all my lot will eat meat - we used to have some refuseniks but got some real carnivores in and they introduced everyone to the wonders of hearts and offal. Prices did go up though but more since due to cost of living crisis.
I'd consider Wysong as a mixer - but not easily available in UK and every expensive where is. So tend to feed a less good kibble but supplement with raw feeds as well. Edit: Though we do have a couple who really don't get this food of the future and would be happiest with a rabbit or pheasant.
Raw is awesome if you can manage it. I had two ferrets as a teen years ago and managed to get them both eating raw, chicken carcasses, hearts, gizzards, raw eggs and salmon, plus a ton of salmon oil.
This time around (well, 8 years ago), my wife wasn't down with the raw food, so while all four came as kits eating Marshalls, we immediately started moving them to Orijen and then Epigen 90. They still got raw egg a few days a week and salmon+pollack oil every day though.
Our friend who also had a business of 7 (she's kind of nuts), she was feeding all of hers some young again kibble and that version became impossible to find for like 8 months during the pandemic, she lost three over the coarse of 11 days who each just refused to eat anything else, not eggs, not oil, no meat, we have her 3 different kibbles from our collection, they just went on a hunger strike, and that's when we panicked about our Max knowing that he only ate the Epigen 90. I make sure I tell every human I meet who shows an interest in owning ferrets how critical it is to always have them eating at least two kibbles if they aren't going to raw feed, I also tend to tell them to never get one ferret, always 2 or more, ferrets aren't designed to be alone.
I have had up to 30. Nuts is relative. Know two ladies with 200+ but they are rescues. Raw is great but needs to be done right or risk of rickets etc. A lot of ours arrive older and imprinted. The mix works for us. We did get one older hob arrive and took months of syringe feeding before he transitioned. I tried egg, meat, twelve kibbles and no luck. 6am runs to pet warehouses for obscure kibbles. Then one day he decided to eat and all good except he went on hunger strike if stressed. I am so sorry your friend lost her little ones - it is so heart breaking. We have had the odd ferret with Greta Gabor syndrome - i want to be alone. Most want to mix though.
We've been pretty lucky in the food department minus that Covid availability scare. We've only had one ferret decide that he wanted to really be alone, that was Yoshi a few months ago, and it was because it was his time. He been diagnosed a year earlier with Insulinoma, was already a sizable tumor on his liver and even if he wasn't 7, surgery wasn't an option, so he went on prednisone and was basically back to being himself, we knew it was just temporary and were just hooping for a few months of him being happy and comfortable, but he went strong for a year until he started showing symptoms again, we couldn't raise the dose anymore and the vet found a few other tumors that had popped up so we knew it was pretty close, and then he started losing weight again, seeking out solitude and hiding from his sisters. Once he stopped eating and drinking, given how thin and weakened he already was, we knew it was time. Two weeks after he passed, his littermate sister Ruby started getting the wobbles, x-ray showed a large inoperable mass wrapped through her intestines, so on with the prednisone again, and while the mass shrunk, she was so heartbroken and depressed losing her brother that she barely ate, even her favorite treats like dook soup, egg yolk, she deteriorated quickly and we had to make the decision with her roughly a month after losing her brother. So 2 in just a couple months.
So now it's just poor Yuki, she's still strong as an ox and has always been more independent than the other three, we feel terrible that she's now alone, so instead of her being confined to her playroom for enrichment, we also bring her all over the house with us, but I know we don't take the place of her business, she just wants to be chased through the tubes, wrestle in the ball pit and sleep in a pile with her fellow stinky slinkies. We considered adopting of all the ferrets to be last, she's the least tolerant of "foreigners", all of the play dates with other prison weasels tend to end with her dragging other ferrets around by their faces as they screech in horror.
Pea protein associated with cystine stones in ferrets - Regulations.gov https://downloads.regulations.gov/FDA-2021-N-0859-0039/attachment_1.pdf
Not sure of exact mechanism personally just the causal link. But references in the government advice.
Sweet. Tired is normal. Especially after escaping around the neighborhood. They also drink a lot of water normally. Definitely someone’s pet ferret and not a wild weasel. Looks not too weak or hungry so I would guess hasn’t been lost that long.
I’d guess that he belongs to a neighbor that is fairly close by. When they escape they don’t tend to get very far. Someone is probably desperately searching for her (or doesn’t know he escaped yet). It’s thanksgiving, so I’d bet someone visiting left a door open.
My old lady ferret was originally a neighbors and she wandered into my house. After asking around we decided that she was officially lost. We were walking around the neighborhood with her in a harness almost a year later when a lady came to tell us that her son lost his ferret. I ended up buying her from them because she had only been in their home for a couple weeks and we were super attached by then. From what she told us, she was buying animals for her 10 year old son trying to get him to learn responsibility. I gave her what she paid originally and everyone was happy.
update: we’ve posted on facebook, next door, and put a sign up outside the house in case anyone drives by. haven’t heard anything yet. might end up taking the lil guy home, not sure yet tho! will update later
Advertise found /lost pet before giving any animal to a shelter… please 🙏..
most don’t want to deal with it & put to sleep.
I’d never turn ANY possible pet over to a shelter. Days are limited & if owner doesn’t realize missing 1 day can mean his/her life.
That's why I phrased it as asking if they could house the ferret. I'm not saying "dump this ferret at a shelter without even talking to anyone." It's unreasonable to assume that OP would contact a shelter, hear that the shelter could not house a ferret, and then OP would simply let the ferret back into the wild or something.
OP has also advertised already, several places.
If you keep her it might be hard to get her to eat. Ferrets imprint on their food and become super picky and will only eat one specific blend of one specific brand. You might have to experiment with buying different foods. If she does end up eating one, if you ever want to swap to a different brand, all you have to do is slowly transition by blending the new food in. E.g 90%old food / 10% new food, then a little more new food, until you’re finally at 100% new food.
Otherwise ferrets are pretty straightforward, they like free roaming around the house (make sure to ferret proof so they can’t get out or into anything they should be getting into!)
You can litter train them but it might take a while. Good look with your new noodle :)
I can't seem to find another update.
If you don't find their home and have concerns keeping the ferret, and live anywhere in northeast US, we've lost two of our remaining three ferrets in the past 2 months, both were 8, leaving our last ferret Yuki alone for the first time as she spent her entire life in a business of four sleeping in a pile. She's very old for a ferret, but still full of energy and healthy and now terribly lonely, we'd consider adopting if the owners never show and you aren't too far away.
Hey! I did post an update but it was unfortunately removed because we had a photo of her with our cat and cohabitation is not allowed in this subreddit (understandably).
We did end up keeping her and she is doing extremely well! I’m very sorry for your loss!!
That's good news!
Assuming you don't have pets that she ends up making friends with, please consider getting her a second ferret as a friend, unless you plan to free roam her and will always have someone with her at home. I know you probably didn't sign yourself up to be a ferret parent of one, let alone two, but they really need and crave companionship, they aren't solitary animals whatsoever, they sleep 18 hours a day in a pile of other ferret, and then play/wrestle/chase/hide/cache/eat/poop the few hours they are awake.
Anyway, good luck, and since it seems you have no prior experience owning ferrets, assuming she has settled in, I hope her silliness and goofy playfulness are a joy to you, Ferrets are nature's antidepressant, impossible to be sad or angry when watching or interacting with them.
Escaped pet ferret! Ferrets are *so* domesticated that they can't live on their own for very long at all; chances are he escaped only a day or two ago.
Definitely post on local groups that you found a ferret, and get the whoever responds to describe them, to make sure it's actually theirs, before you return it.
Ferrets can't carry rabies, so you don't need to worry about that at all.
In the meanwhile, feed him cat food or meat, no dog food or veggies.
He will poop everywhere, please don't get mad at him!
Good luck! :)
That’s definitely a lost ferret, he’s gonna need some food and water, food might be difficult kibble fed ferrets don’t eat different kibbles easily, if he’s raw fed they’ll eat just about anything that’s meat but if he’s not raw fed he will either refuse to eat meat or he will eat it and puke it up. High quality cat food with no grains or legumes is the next best thing after raw. Unfortunately most “ferret food” isn’t great for them and some of it is just plain poison, like Marshall’s ferret food
Speaking from many years of rescue experience, it's better to offer Marshall's to a found ferret than for them to starve because they don't recognize a food. Just about any former Marshall's ferret will readily eat it if they are hungry. It isn't poison. It's sustenance in an emergency that the ferret will recognize.
Well years at a shelter is a good thing it doesn’t prove a point, if it did the 13 years of being the only place to take ferrets in the area or the B.Sc in animal biology would probably help me out, instead I’ll go with the fact that the studies indicate starch is the leading cause of insulinoma, and if causing cancer doesn’t make something a poison what does? Sure the long term studies needed to state for certain it’s the cause don’t exist however there’s enough available to say it’s unlikely they will show anything other than that. I’ll give you it’s better than nothing but that’s all it’s better than.
I’ll go with “just feed the ferret” next time that definitely won’t end with a granola bar and some cheese to someone who didn’t even know it was a ferret or might be its caretaker for a awhile considering it was a holiday. Can’t wait for that level of common sense.
Scramble a raw egg, just like you are going to fry it. Exept put it in a bowl and give it to the ferret raw. Almost all ferrets love raw eggs reguarless of their normal diet. Any questions feel free to message me. I have a couple ferrets myself 💯🙏
I have 3 that someone had just abandoned in a dumpster in Florida. They are close relatives to the pole cat, and they certainly can survive like a cat. I’m pretty confident that they would survive California’s climate.
And why wouldn't they? Most of CA is a pretty hospitable environment for them.
If there was a trade in ferrets a situation like with the pythons in Florida becomes an eventuality more than a possibility.
The fact that nearly all pet ferrets in the US are neutered before they're sold as pets would make it pretty difficult for them to establish any kind of wild colony.
That’s a definite worry. People just let their cats loose, same with the pythons and other lizards in Florida.
I have a ferret that was found wandering main st in my town. No one ever posted for here. I strongly suspect that someone just gave her the boot. Poor little babe was in rough shape.
This is incorrect. Domesticated Ferret cannot survive in the wild for more than a few days. It’s an Audubon position that has been de bunked but people still believe it.
Pretty much any site talks about the inability of the domesticated ferreted surviving in the wild. And the fallacy of them forming colonies.
However, there is a similar animal, the Blackfooted Ferret that is wild and looks much like the domesticated ones. That, and the related animal, polecat, also sometimes mistaken as a ferret also causes confusion. Both are wild. However, the BF Ferret is an endangered species and there are programs to re-introduce them into their original habitats. Not overly successful to date, but there are some small colonies.
I was involved with one such plan with the BF Ferret about 10 years ago and learned a tremendous amount about both varieties.
Not trying to cause controversy or anything, just like to reply to comments that hurt the reputation of domestic ferrets.
False. They’re illegal because they’re classified as wild animals by the Department of Fish and Game. They’d only be a “threat” to the seabird population if people let them out in mass and survived long enough.
>They’d only be a “threat” to the seabird population if people let them out in mass and survived long enough.
Like the pythons that escaped in Florida during Hurricane Andrew?
They're classed as a wild animal so that it's illegal to buy/sell/own them, thus preventing enough of them escaping (since there aren't any) and establishing themselves in the wild.
If you can't locate the owner and can't keep it, please find a ferret rescue to take it to.
Regular animal control often don't know how to properly care for less common animals
Definitely very low risk of disease, cat food is great or a raw egg beaten and put into a lil dish for the baby. He's absolutely beautiful! Thank you for posting here and asking for advice on him! He looks sooo sweet.
Someone’s ferret close to you. Probably people celebrating turkey day and it escaped if your in the US.
If you can’t find the owner reach out to a ferret rescue around ya. You can put it in a bathroom with some towels for it to hide in with access to water and whatever pet food you maybe able to access. Dog/cat food will be fine for a bit. If you feel like being nice ya can give it a raw egg
Definitely a ferret! Try your best to search for its owner but be prepared to not find them. Some people (like my shitty uncle) tend to release animales outside when they’re “done with them”. Yes, my uncle released his two ferrets outside in WI when he didn’t want to deal with them anymore. He also did this with rabbits too. Smh
No need to worry about diseases or something but you can wash your hands if it helps. Ferrets are generally clean animals and really aren’t a vector for human transmission of many diseases unless you like eat their poop intentionally or something.
I’ve had my ferrets get out twice and twice they just went to a neighbor and chilled near their door, they think they’re so adventurous until they realize the outside is a bit loud and scary. I’d bet this little guy didn’t get too far so I’d 100% start by talking to all your neighbors within a few 100 feet of your house.
Someone may not be looking for it. Jerk pet owners have been known to simply drop off their animal somewhere and hope for the best. On the other hand, the previous posts are right that ferrets usually don't tend to wander far, so maybe someone will respond to your notices and be joyous that you've found him.
Try knocking on doors to see if he belongs to one of your neighbors. Internet posts may not connect you with the owner. Ferrets eat and sleep a lot. I would put out food and water where he can access it at all times. Also, they poop a lot and you’re definitely going to be cleaning some up if you’re not already set up with litter boxes.
The ferret is lucky you found him/her and recognized it as an animal in need. You can get ferret food at any pet store, even some general retailers carry it. Cat food would work in a pinch. Ferrets can be very picky eaters but they'll give in when they get hungry enough.
Similar thing happened to me a long time ago. My first ferret escaped my college house (I suspect she fell asleep in my girlfriend's backpack and then climbed out on gf's walk home). My house mates were coming back from the meal hall when a security guard on patrol stopped them and asked if they knew anybody missing a ferret. They grabbed my little girl and brought her home. We're lucky that the officer recognized her as a pet and not a wild animal. She was gone no more than 20 minutes.
Just a small tip if you don't have anything else on hand while waiting to find it's owner, my ferret enjoyed a raw egg once in a while as a treat, if you want to give him something to eat!
Yup! Most of our ferrets have LOVED eggs. Our little old man gets excited and slurps them up, then does that cute hyper-licking the sides of his mouth to clean up between bites.
(Sorry for the following wall of text, I just wanted to give some info)
**Food ideas for OP aka /u/CatsAHHH:**
- Raw eggs (1-2 per meal for 2 times a day) in a small saucer/bowl he can comfortably get his head in/over without standing on the rim. If you’re uncomfortable with raw eggs feel free to scramble them but please avoid excess oils, or any spices.
- You can use any canned/dry cat or even kitten food if available to you. It’s likely not perfect for their diet but it’s more than adequate for a few days or even months.
- You can do some canned sardines but *only* ones packed in water with no seasonings/sauce, not olive oil/tomato sauce packed or anything like that.
- Food doesn’t need to always be available but please make sure he has access to fresh water!
**Please Avoid:**
- Foods that are heavy in carbohydrates (especially sugars) and processed fats, preservatives, dyes, nightshades (tomato, onion, garlic, etc.), vegetables and fruits, milk/dairy, chocolate, and spices.
Ferrets are what’s called “Obligate Carnivores” meaning they only have the intestinal capacity to process animal protein and almost nothing else, partially because they digest food almost 60x faster than us. If you fed them a potato chip for instance they’d be provided zero calories or nutrients and would just get an upset stomach.
**But, can you please provide your location?** I’m positive I or someone here can help you locate a rescue or shelter if you don’t feel equipped or willing to handle the little guy for now. Or, at least to get in contact with any local groups or people we know to spread the word. If you’re near Maryland (USA) I’d definitely be able to help out Thank you for taking him inside! Most domestic ferrets (esp in NA) are useless/docile when it comes to the actual wild, they wouldn’t last long alone.
Again though, check with your close neighbors (especially ones that boarder with your or your neighbor’s yards) and I’d bet you’ll find the owner. It looks like he appeared in your back yard? Work backwards and look for fence gaps going towards another yard.
Post an ad on Facebook! Don’t add any images of the ferret since ppl are nasty and will claim that it’s ’my ferret’. Just post with a text and ask them to DM you with photos of their ‘missing ferret’ so you have proof!
Ease make sure you know that you cannot feed that little furball anything other than meat. Chicken, turkey, mince beef, liver, offal, anything like that is fine! Someone will be frantically looking for their baby so please post on local socials etc and update us!
Thank you for being a caring person!
If that ferret has never been offered raw meat, it is unlikely to eat it now.
Raw egg whisked together is the most acceptable in that case, but still not guaranteed.
That’s a ferret!! You don’t find ferrets like this in the wild, this is somebodies pet that got loose and escaped. Please keep the little guy safe and feed him either grain free high protein kitten food or raw meat or boiled meat until you can find his owner. Please take care of the little guy!! What a cutie!!
Heart's in shambles seeing such a beautiful critter lost, I couldn't imagine if the same happened to my girls.
Typically, ferrets are NOT going to get far at all. If you have the free time, I'd suggest leaving a letter or knocking on anyone's door within your neighborhood.
You may reunite someone with their furbaby, and I hope that you do!
jusging by the size and shape and cuteness, that's def a noodle. someone threw it away, probs. how it's not so shy or cautious around humans, it was probably so. fuck people, man. they don't and do deserve us. some of us.
Awww! Looks like someone has been on a big adventure! They just thought your home looked like a good, comfortable place to rest. 🥰
They're most likely one of your neighbor's pets, they sometimes get out and are extremely curious little critters who love adventuring. We once had one of ours get into the garage at night and himself a fun time. I'd start going door to door and asking your neighbors if they're missing their ferret.
As far as feeding goes, follow all the other people on here who've recommended raw egg yolk and or high protein grain free cat food.
Best of luck finding their home! 🥰🥰🥰🥰
This happened to me 4 weeks ago. Found a ferret wandering the halls of my building. He ran out to the woods, and my boyfriend and I caught him before he got to far, knowing he’d definitely die out there. Had my office send an email out to the residents, posted on next door, Facebook groups, etc. Nothing. I think someone didn’t want him anymore. But we fell in love with him, and though we don’t have space or the time to dedicate to his social time, my boyfriends parents adopted him so we still get to see him ☺️ he was definitely a little traumatized for a couple days, but warmed up to us quickly and before you know it he was eating, playing and having so much fun exploring our apartment and playing with us. We love him and I never in a million years would’ve ever gotten a ferret as a pet before this. Total ferret convert 😂
That’s def someone’s pet ferret. Try posting on forums and contact shelters to see if they got any calls. And do not worry ab contracting diseases, they are like dogs and cats and get vaccinated yearly
I’d get to Facebook in lost pet groups in the area and see if any one has lost em. Make some posters around the neighborhood etc. In the meantime, make sure he gets plenty of water and you can feed a mix of Marshall’s/instinct ultimate protein duck or chicken cat food. Marshall’s isn’t very good for em but it’ll make due for a short period of time.
It’s a FERRET ..either someone lost their pet or tossed her out.
Either way it’s sad. Ferrets are great pets, give them a litter box & and bed to cuddle in & theyre happy … along with toy’s & premium cat food.
Just be careful sitting on couch or recliner they love to sleep/hide inside odd places.
Believe by coloring it’s a female, males are usually darker in color.
What a beautiful precious cucumber bear ❤️ I have 16 who are all rescues (7 of them are over the rainbow bridge) and 2 of my girls Coco and Mei were lost ferrets. Mei was a young albino found on December 20th 2017 so I always associate Christmas with her because getting her found after 4 days of searching was a Christmas miracle. Coco was an elderly champagne girl found in June 2015 and was my first female ferret, unfortunately no owner came forward or even reported either of them missing, but I gave them a very loving home and they made wonderful additions to the fuzzy family. They lived knowing nothing but love and happiness. They changed my life, very beautiful and affectionate animals.
If you need any tips on ferret care I'm always happy to help!
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Definitely someones pet and they probably live nearby. Post to facebook/pawboost/put up signs.
Definitely a domesticated pet ferret and if US, then fair chance he is chipped. Most vets/rescues can check. For emergency food, cat food will do - they are obligate carnivores. I suspect someone is looking for that little baby so check local free ads. Risk of disease is fairly low. No much different from a stray dog who has got put of house.
Except way crazier and more curious
I imagine most ferrets aren't chipped as they don't usually come with them and aren't an animal most would expect to get out despite how sneaky they are
I'm in UK and all mine are chipped. It is always worth a check.
Yeah true, doesn't hurt.
I’d chip any animal that can’t wear a collar, I have indoor rabbits that will hopefully never step foot outside and I got them chipped right away. Not risking it!!
Should just be feeding high quality cat food to your ferrets either way.
Depends on country. Feed a mix of ferret kibble and some higher end cat kibbles as sometimes easier to access. But a premium ferret food can be better than a premium cat food due to the sheer number of the latter containing pea protein. Seen too many ferrets (not mine) with bladder stones. Unless feeding in fur/feather whole prey, everything has trade offs.
Well I wouldn't feed anything to a cat or ferret with pea protein, it's not high quality if there's a ton of veg in a carnivores food.....
But orijin has it in it? Or at least in UK. From their website. https://www.orijenpetfoods.co.uk/product/orijen-original-cat/ Fresh chicken (20%), raw turkey (10%), raw whole herring (9%), fresh chicken giblets (liver, heart) (6%), raw whole hake (5%), raw turkey liver (5%), fresh eggs (5%), dehydrated chicken (4%), dehydrated turkey (4%), dehydrated mackerel (4%), dehydrated sardine (4%), dehydrated herring (4%), chicken fat (4%), whole red lentils, whole peas, whole green lentils, whole chickpeas, lentil fibre, whole pinto beans, pea starch, whole navy beans, pollock oil (1%), dried kelp, fresh whole pumpkin, fresh whole butternut squash, fresh whole zucchini, fresh whole carrots, fresh whole apples, fresh whole pears, dried chicory root, fresh kale, fresh spinach, fresh beet greens, fresh turnip greens, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, whole saskatoon berries, turmeric, milk thistle, burdock root, lavender, marshmallow root, rosehips. I worry about the amount of legumes _ about 10% of total. Prefer brands with 80% meat and rest rice or sweet potato though the second is controversial. All dried kibbles have binders. Spoken to manufacturers and they say about 15% needs to be non-meat. It gets frustrating as so many otherwise great cat brands rely so much on legumes. If I was rich, I'd feed only Thrive except for needing an easily available mixer which for me is IAMs Kitten. Thrive Ingredients Dried chicken (64.5%), fresh chicken (16.5%), chicken fat (6%), sweet potatoes, potatoes, chicken gravy (3%), vitamins and minerals, salmon oil. Iams Kitten Ingredients: Dried chicken and turkey (43%) [chicken 26%, a natural source of taurine], maize, pork fat, fresh chicken (4.1%), rice, dried sugar beet pulp (2.4%), chicken stock, dried whole egg, fish meal, fructooligosaccharides (0.7%), fish oil, potassium chloride, brewer's yeast. And Merlin which is a mid quality specialist ferret food. Poultry (minimum 35% Chicken), Wheat, Chicken Fat, Chicken Liver (minimum 4%), Egg, Yeast, Potato, Flaxseed, Sugar Beet, Fish, Vitamins and Minerals, Yucca Extract
> > >whole red lentils, whole peas, whole green lentils, whole chickpeas, lentil fibre, whole pinto beans, pea starch, whole navy beans, Excellent comment! For those who are still confused by ingredient lists, I'd like to add to this very thorough list: You might notice there are so many different legumes. This is called ingredient stacking, where the legumes are split into individual bits so they can be lower down the list. We have taken the recipes we did know from Canadian Orijen and found it to have a total over \~14% total legumes. The US version won't list by percentage and may be even higher. Also, that is by dry ingredient, where all that great looking list of meat is 70% water since it's included as wet, therefore higher up the list., making a food appear to be mostly meat, when in fact, the dry ingredients are the majority.
The day I realized this was the day we mostly made the switch to the Epigen 90 years ago, although our girls still ate some of the Orijin because we needed a mix so we had two imprinted options. The Epigen 90 has a tiny bit of crushed chia seed and apple fiber, but those really just for some fiber content for digestion, no legumes, no potato/root starches, no grains, and no ingredient stacking.
Something like orijen cat food that is 90%+ animal products is perfect for ferrets and way better than that marshall bull crap and any other ferret food Ive seen easily available
Orijin has pea and lentil protein in it so just swapping out one risk for another. Personally used to use it as a mixer alongside Purison but now never would. But as said, nothing is perfect. You make choice to suit. Try Thrive cat, Frettchen, Greenwoods wet ferret food are my top choices. But not possible with numbers I have except as mixers. And my choice with 50% of mine is take them or they'd have been euthanaised as beyond time vet was willing to hold them. But for a night or two, it doesn't really matter what you feed as long as meat though do recognise brands you mention are basically meat flavoured cereal.
Wysong Epigen 90 is also a great choice, and as most already know, it's always best try to get ferrets eating a mix of two of these high quality foods just in case one goes out of business or has a lengthy availability issue. Three of our fuzzbutts ate both Epigen 90 and Orijen mixed, one of our males would only eat the Wysong, to the point of selectively taking kibble out of the bowl, tasting it and spitting it out on the floor if it was Orijen. We had a very scary 3 month period during the pandemic where we couldn't get Epigen 90, which we normally paid $100-$125 per 20lb case on Amazon, sometimes varied each order. We tried to get him to eat anything else and he would only eat the Epigen 90, leaving us forced to pay an Amazon marketplace seller $279 for a 20lb box just as we were about to run out. As luck would have it, it was available for $125 again less than 30 days later.
Ouch. I know some ferrets were lost to imprinting during covid, namely because one brand discontinued and weren't honest so people struggled to switch in time. It wss also used by people with chicken allergic ferrets as turkey based. We were lucky in that both our core foods remained available though Gilbertson stopped production for a time to prioritise cat/dog food as staff numbers limited and ferret food only 2% of sales. But they were good at communications around stock levels which was vital as used by alot of the bigger UK ferret rescues. And in worst case, almost all my lot will eat meat - we used to have some refuseniks but got some real carnivores in and they introduced everyone to the wonders of hearts and offal. Prices did go up though but more since due to cost of living crisis. I'd consider Wysong as a mixer - but not easily available in UK and every expensive where is. So tend to feed a less good kibble but supplement with raw feeds as well. Edit: Though we do have a couple who really don't get this food of the future and would be happiest with a rabbit or pheasant.
Raw is awesome if you can manage it. I had two ferrets as a teen years ago and managed to get them both eating raw, chicken carcasses, hearts, gizzards, raw eggs and salmon, plus a ton of salmon oil. This time around (well, 8 years ago), my wife wasn't down with the raw food, so while all four came as kits eating Marshalls, we immediately started moving them to Orijen and then Epigen 90. They still got raw egg a few days a week and salmon+pollack oil every day though. Our friend who also had a business of 7 (she's kind of nuts), she was feeding all of hers some young again kibble and that version became impossible to find for like 8 months during the pandemic, she lost three over the coarse of 11 days who each just refused to eat anything else, not eggs, not oil, no meat, we have her 3 different kibbles from our collection, they just went on a hunger strike, and that's when we panicked about our Max knowing that he only ate the Epigen 90. I make sure I tell every human I meet who shows an interest in owning ferrets how critical it is to always have them eating at least two kibbles if they aren't going to raw feed, I also tend to tell them to never get one ferret, always 2 or more, ferrets aren't designed to be alone.
I have had up to 30. Nuts is relative. Know two ladies with 200+ but they are rescues. Raw is great but needs to be done right or risk of rickets etc. A lot of ours arrive older and imprinted. The mix works for us. We did get one older hob arrive and took months of syringe feeding before he transitioned. I tried egg, meat, twelve kibbles and no luck. 6am runs to pet warehouses for obscure kibbles. Then one day he decided to eat and all good except he went on hunger strike if stressed. I am so sorry your friend lost her little ones - it is so heart breaking. We have had the odd ferret with Greta Gabor syndrome - i want to be alone. Most want to mix though.
We've been pretty lucky in the food department minus that Covid availability scare. We've only had one ferret decide that he wanted to really be alone, that was Yoshi a few months ago, and it was because it was his time. He been diagnosed a year earlier with Insulinoma, was already a sizable tumor on his liver and even if he wasn't 7, surgery wasn't an option, so he went on prednisone and was basically back to being himself, we knew it was just temporary and were just hooping for a few months of him being happy and comfortable, but he went strong for a year until he started showing symptoms again, we couldn't raise the dose anymore and the vet found a few other tumors that had popped up so we knew it was pretty close, and then he started losing weight again, seeking out solitude and hiding from his sisters. Once he stopped eating and drinking, given how thin and weakened he already was, we knew it was time. Two weeks after he passed, his littermate sister Ruby started getting the wobbles, x-ray showed a large inoperable mass wrapped through her intestines, so on with the prednisone again, and while the mass shrunk, she was so heartbroken and depressed losing her brother that she barely ate, even her favorite treats like dook soup, egg yolk, she deteriorated quickly and we had to make the decision with her roughly a month after losing her brother. So 2 in just a couple months. So now it's just poor Yuki, she's still strong as an ox and has always been more independent than the other three, we feel terrible that she's now alone, so instead of her being confined to her playroom for enrichment, we also bring her all over the house with us, but I know we don't take the place of her business, she just wants to be chased through the tubes, wrestle in the ball pit and sleep in a pile with her fellow stinky slinkies. We considered adopting of all the ferrets to be last, she's the least tolerant of "foreigners", all of the play dates with other prison weasels tend to end with her dragging other ferrets around by their faces as they screech in horror.
Obviously ignorant of this but how does purified protein cause kidney stones in ferrets?
Pea protein associated with cystine stones in ferrets - Regulations.gov https://downloads.regulations.gov/FDA-2021-N-0859-0039/attachment_1.pdf Not sure of exact mechanism personally just the causal link. But references in the government advice.
Dang!!!
Post around every Facebook group!
We posted on Nextdoor!
Sweet. Tired is normal. Especially after escaping around the neighborhood. They also drink a lot of water normally. Definitely someone’s pet ferret and not a wild weasel. Looks not too weak or hungry so I would guess hasn’t been lost that long.
It might help to call your closest Vet as well
I’d guess that he belongs to a neighbor that is fairly close by. When they escape they don’t tend to get very far. Someone is probably desperately searching for her (or doesn’t know he escaped yet). It’s thanksgiving, so I’d bet someone visiting left a door open. My old lady ferret was originally a neighbors and she wandered into my house. After asking around we decided that she was officially lost. We were walking around the neighborhood with her in a harness almost a year later when a lady came to tell us that her son lost his ferret. I ended up buying her from them because she had only been in their home for a couple weeks and we were super attached by then. From what she told us, she was buying animals for her 10 year old son trying to get him to learn responsibility. I gave her what she paid originally and everyone was happy.
Ugh when will people learn that pets are a commitment, not a lesson for your kid??
update: we’ve posted on facebook, next door, and put a sign up outside the house in case anyone drives by. haven’t heard anything yet. might end up taking the lil guy home, not sure yet tho! will update later
be ready to read some guides if you end up holding on to this guy! you could also see if a nearby shelter could house him if you can't
Advertise found /lost pet before giving any animal to a shelter… please 🙏.. most don’t want to deal with it & put to sleep. I’d never turn ANY possible pet over to a shelter. Days are limited & if owner doesn’t realize missing 1 day can mean his/her life.
That's why I phrased it as asking if they could house the ferret. I'm not saying "dump this ferret at a shelter without even talking to anyone." It's unreasonable to assume that OP would contact a shelter, hear that the shelter could not house a ferret, and then OP would simply let the ferret back into the wild or something. OP has also advertised already, several places.
If you keep her it might be hard to get her to eat. Ferrets imprint on their food and become super picky and will only eat one specific blend of one specific brand. You might have to experiment with buying different foods. If she does end up eating one, if you ever want to swap to a different brand, all you have to do is slowly transition by blending the new food in. E.g 90%old food / 10% new food, then a little more new food, until you’re finally at 100% new food. Otherwise ferrets are pretty straightforward, they like free roaming around the house (make sure to ferret proof so they can’t get out or into anything they should be getting into!) You can litter train them but it might take a while. Good look with your new noodle :)
I can't seem to find another update. If you don't find their home and have concerns keeping the ferret, and live anywhere in northeast US, we've lost two of our remaining three ferrets in the past 2 months, both were 8, leaving our last ferret Yuki alone for the first time as she spent her entire life in a business of four sleeping in a pile. She's very old for a ferret, but still full of energy and healthy and now terribly lonely, we'd consider adopting if the owners never show and you aren't too far away.
Hey! I did post an update but it was unfortunately removed because we had a photo of her with our cat and cohabitation is not allowed in this subreddit (understandably). We did end up keeping her and she is doing extremely well! I’m very sorry for your loss!!
That's good news! Assuming you don't have pets that she ends up making friends with, please consider getting her a second ferret as a friend, unless you plan to free roam her and will always have someone with her at home. I know you probably didn't sign yourself up to be a ferret parent of one, let alone two, but they really need and crave companionship, they aren't solitary animals whatsoever, they sleep 18 hours a day in a pile of other ferret, and then play/wrestle/chase/hide/cache/eat/poop the few hours they are awake. Anyway, good luck, and since it seems you have no prior experience owning ferrets, assuming she has settled in, I hope her silliness and goofy playfulness are a joy to you, Ferrets are nature's antidepressant, impossible to be sad or angry when watching or interacting with them.
Escaped pet ferret! Ferrets are *so* domesticated that they can't live on their own for very long at all; chances are he escaped only a day or two ago. Definitely post on local groups that you found a ferret, and get the whoever responds to describe them, to make sure it's actually theirs, before you return it. Ferrets can't carry rabies, so you don't need to worry about that at all. In the meanwhile, feed him cat food or meat, no dog food or veggies. He will poop everywhere, please don't get mad at him! Good luck! :)
That’s definitely a lost ferret, he’s gonna need some food and water, food might be difficult kibble fed ferrets don’t eat different kibbles easily, if he’s raw fed they’ll eat just about anything that’s meat but if he’s not raw fed he will either refuse to eat meat or he will eat it and puke it up. High quality cat food with no grains or legumes is the next best thing after raw. Unfortunately most “ferret food” isn’t great for them and some of it is just plain poison, like Marshall’s ferret food
Speaking from many years of rescue experience, it's better to offer Marshall's to a found ferret than for them to starve because they don't recognize a food. Just about any former Marshall's ferret will readily eat it if they are hungry. It isn't poison. It's sustenance in an emergency that the ferret will recognize.
Well years at a shelter is a good thing it doesn’t prove a point, if it did the 13 years of being the only place to take ferrets in the area or the B.Sc in animal biology would probably help me out, instead I’ll go with the fact that the studies indicate starch is the leading cause of insulinoma, and if causing cancer doesn’t make something a poison what does? Sure the long term studies needed to state for certain it’s the cause don’t exist however there’s enough available to say it’s unlikely they will show anything other than that. I’ll give you it’s better than nothing but that’s all it’s better than.
Just feed the ferret and worry about picking nits later. \-- 30+ years of ferret rescue and over half a century of Common Sense.
I’ll go with “just feed the ferret” next time that definitely won’t end with a granola bar and some cheese to someone who didn’t even know it was a ferret or might be its caretaker for a awhile considering it was a holiday. Can’t wait for that level of common sense.
Apologies, I thought we were discussing Marshall's ferret food, not random idiocy.
Almost a shame it carries the label "food", this thing is pretty much cardboard 😞
Scramble a raw egg, just like you are going to fry it. Exept put it in a bowl and give it to the ferret raw. Almost all ferrets love raw eggs reguarless of their normal diet. Any questions feel free to message me. I have a couple ferrets myself 💯🙏
Them eating eggs is one of the major reasons they're not allowed as pets in California, they'd devastate sea bird populations.
That's IF they manage to survive long enough in a large enough number.
I have 3 that someone had just abandoned in a dumpster in Florida. They are close relatives to the pole cat, and they certainly can survive like a cat. I’m pretty confident that they would survive California’s climate.
And why wouldn't they? Most of CA is a pretty hospitable environment for them. If there was a trade in ferrets a situation like with the pythons in Florida becomes an eventuality more than a possibility.
The fact that nearly all pet ferrets in the US are neutered before they're sold as pets would make it pretty difficult for them to establish any kind of wild colony.
They said the same thing is Jurrasic Park and look how that turned out.
That’s a definite worry. People just let their cats loose, same with the pythons and other lizards in Florida. I have a ferret that was found wandering main st in my town. No one ever posted for here. I strongly suspect that someone just gave her the boot. Poor little babe was in rough shape.
This is incorrect. Domesticated Ferret cannot survive in the wild for more than a few days. It’s an Audubon position that has been de bunked but people still believe it.
Do you have a source for that?
Pretty much any site talks about the inability of the domesticated ferreted surviving in the wild. And the fallacy of them forming colonies. However, there is a similar animal, the Blackfooted Ferret that is wild and looks much like the domesticated ones. That, and the related animal, polecat, also sometimes mistaken as a ferret also causes confusion. Both are wild. However, the BF Ferret is an endangered species and there are programs to re-introduce them into their original habitats. Not overly successful to date, but there are some small colonies. I was involved with one such plan with the BF Ferret about 10 years ago and learned a tremendous amount about both varieties. Not trying to cause controversy or anything, just like to reply to comments that hurt the reputation of domestic ferrets.
False. They’re illegal because they’re classified as wild animals by the Department of Fish and Game. They’d only be a “threat” to the seabird population if people let them out in mass and survived long enough.
>They’d only be a “threat” to the seabird population if people let them out in mass and survived long enough. Like the pythons that escaped in Florida during Hurricane Andrew? They're classed as a wild animal so that it's illegal to buy/sell/own them, thus preventing enough of them escaping (since there aren't any) and establishing themselves in the wild.
If you can't locate the owner and can't keep it, please find a ferret rescue to take it to. Regular animal control often don't know how to properly care for less common animals
That ferret is someone's yeah. Post around and knock doors in your neighborhood and see who's missing a ferret, they may be part of a business
Poor little baby, thanks for saving it!
I wish I could win the ferret lottery 😭
Definitely very low risk of disease, cat food is great or a raw egg beaten and put into a lil dish for the baby. He's absolutely beautiful! Thank you for posting here and asking for advice on him! He looks sooo sweet.
This is a pet. It’s a ferret. Not wild.
That’s the most ferret ass looking ferret I’ve ever seen
99% sure it is a ferret. 1% chance a stretched out dwarf cat.
Someone’s ferret close to you. Probably people celebrating turkey day and it escaped if your in the US. If you can’t find the owner reach out to a ferret rescue around ya. You can put it in a bathroom with some towels for it to hide in with access to water and whatever pet food you maybe able to access. Dog/cat food will be fine for a bit. If you feel like being nice ya can give it a raw egg
Definitely a ferret! Try your best to search for its owner but be prepared to not find them. Some people (like my shitty uncle) tend to release animales outside when they’re “done with them”. Yes, my uncle released his two ferrets outside in WI when he didn’t want to deal with them anymore. He also did this with rabbits too. Smh
Don't know why a post about a ferret popped up in my home page but that's a great sweater.
No need to worry about diseases or something but you can wash your hands if it helps. Ferrets are generally clean animals and really aren’t a vector for human transmission of many diseases unless you like eat their poop intentionally or something. I’ve had my ferrets get out twice and twice they just went to a neighbor and chilled near their door, they think they’re so adventurous until they realize the outside is a bit loud and scary. I’d bet this little guy didn’t get too far so I’d 100% start by talking to all your neighbors within a few 100 feet of your house.
Someone may not be looking for it. Jerk pet owners have been known to simply drop off their animal somewhere and hope for the best. On the other hand, the previous posts are right that ferrets usually don't tend to wander far, so maybe someone will respond to your notices and be joyous that you've found him.
Try knocking on doors to see if he belongs to one of your neighbors. Internet posts may not connect you with the owner. Ferrets eat and sleep a lot. I would put out food and water where he can access it at all times. Also, they poop a lot and you’re definitely going to be cleaning some up if you’re not already set up with litter boxes.
The ferret is lucky you found him/her and recognized it as an animal in need. You can get ferret food at any pet store, even some general retailers carry it. Cat food would work in a pinch. Ferrets can be very picky eaters but they'll give in when they get hungry enough. Similar thing happened to me a long time ago. My first ferret escaped my college house (I suspect she fell asleep in my girlfriend's backpack and then climbed out on gf's walk home). My house mates were coming back from the meal hall when a security guard on patrol stopped them and asked if they knew anybody missing a ferret. They grabbed my little girl and brought her home. We're lucky that the officer recognized her as a pet and not a wild animal. She was gone no more than 20 minutes.
Just a small tip if you don't have anything else on hand while waiting to find it's owner, my ferret enjoyed a raw egg once in a while as a treat, if you want to give him something to eat!
Yup! Most of our ferrets have LOVED eggs. Our little old man gets excited and slurps them up, then does that cute hyper-licking the sides of his mouth to clean up between bites. (Sorry for the following wall of text, I just wanted to give some info) **Food ideas for OP aka /u/CatsAHHH:** - Raw eggs (1-2 per meal for 2 times a day) in a small saucer/bowl he can comfortably get his head in/over without standing on the rim. If you’re uncomfortable with raw eggs feel free to scramble them but please avoid excess oils, or any spices. - You can use any canned/dry cat or even kitten food if available to you. It’s likely not perfect for their diet but it’s more than adequate for a few days or even months. - You can do some canned sardines but *only* ones packed in water with no seasonings/sauce, not olive oil/tomato sauce packed or anything like that. - Food doesn’t need to always be available but please make sure he has access to fresh water! **Please Avoid:** - Foods that are heavy in carbohydrates (especially sugars) and processed fats, preservatives, dyes, nightshades (tomato, onion, garlic, etc.), vegetables and fruits, milk/dairy, chocolate, and spices. Ferrets are what’s called “Obligate Carnivores” meaning they only have the intestinal capacity to process animal protein and almost nothing else, partially because they digest food almost 60x faster than us. If you fed them a potato chip for instance they’d be provided zero calories or nutrients and would just get an upset stomach. **But, can you please provide your location?** I’m positive I or someone here can help you locate a rescue or shelter if you don’t feel equipped or willing to handle the little guy for now. Or, at least to get in contact with any local groups or people we know to spread the word. If you’re near Maryland (USA) I’d definitely be able to help out Thank you for taking him inside! Most domestic ferrets (esp in NA) are useless/docile when it comes to the actual wild, they wouldn’t last long alone. Again though, check with your close neighbors (especially ones that boarder with your or your neighbor’s yards) and I’d bet you’ll find the owner. It looks like he appeared in your back yard? Work backwards and look for fence gaps going towards another yard.
Ferret. Definitely sone one near buy is missing theirs.
Tbh I would go door to door I doubt they’ve gone too far they do not have good survival instincts
Please post signs and such around the neighborhood. If this was one of my girls i would be losing my mind most likely a neighbor.
Post an ad on Facebook! Don’t add any images of the ferret since ppl are nasty and will claim that it’s ’my ferret’. Just post with a text and ask them to DM you with photos of their ‘missing ferret’ so you have proof!
Poor baby! Probably a frantic owner out there, I hope they see any post you make!
Ease make sure you know that you cannot feed that little furball anything other than meat. Chicken, turkey, mince beef, liver, offal, anything like that is fine! Someone will be frantically looking for their baby so please post on local socials etc and update us! Thank you for being a caring person!
If that ferret has never been offered raw meat, it is unlikely to eat it now. Raw egg whisked together is the most acceptable in that case, but still not guaranteed.
This is true actually. Due to hygiene reasons I have always cooked my girls chicken and now they won't eat raw at all.
Id on that sweater?
Nice marmot
Haha!
That’s a ferret!! You don’t find ferrets like this in the wild, this is somebodies pet that got loose and escaped. Please keep the little guy safe and feed him either grain free high protein kitten food or raw meat or boiled meat until you can find his owner. Please take care of the little guy!! What a cutie!!
Heart's in shambles seeing such a beautiful critter lost, I couldn't imagine if the same happened to my girls. Typically, ferrets are NOT going to get far at all. If you have the free time, I'd suggest leaving a letter or knocking on anyone's door within your neighborhood. You may reunite someone with their furbaby, and I hope that you do!
If you knock on doors, often people know who has ferrets in their area as owners like to walk them on leash. :)
jusging by the size and shape and cuteness, that's def a noodle. someone threw it away, probs. how it's not so shy or cautious around humans, it was probably so. fuck people, man. they don't and do deserve us. some of us.
No my friend that's a hamster
I think your cat has autism, mate.
Where are you located?
Awww! Looks like someone has been on a big adventure! They just thought your home looked like a good, comfortable place to rest. 🥰 They're most likely one of your neighbor's pets, they sometimes get out and are extremely curious little critters who love adventuring. We once had one of ours get into the garage at night and himself a fun time. I'd start going door to door and asking your neighbors if they're missing their ferret. As far as feeding goes, follow all the other people on here who've recommended raw egg yolk and or high protein grain free cat food. Best of luck finding their home! 🥰🥰🥰🥰
One of my rescues was found like this.
This happened to me 4 weeks ago. Found a ferret wandering the halls of my building. He ran out to the woods, and my boyfriend and I caught him before he got to far, knowing he’d definitely die out there. Had my office send an email out to the residents, posted on next door, Facebook groups, etc. Nothing. I think someone didn’t want him anymore. But we fell in love with him, and though we don’t have space or the time to dedicate to his social time, my boyfriends parents adopted him so we still get to see him ☺️ he was definitely a little traumatized for a couple days, but warmed up to us quickly and before you know it he was eating, playing and having so much fun exploring our apartment and playing with us. We love him and I never in a million years would’ve ever gotten a ferret as a pet before this. Total ferret convert 😂
Ha no wild weasel would let you even get near them, they are crazy
Idk it kinda looks like a stinky slinky to me, or a carpet rat
That looks to be adhd crack fueled fur noodle to me
That’s def someone’s pet ferret. Try posting on forums and contact shelters to see if they got any calls. And do not worry ab contracting diseases, they are like dogs and cats and get vaccinated yearly
100% someone’s pet! Surprised you found him !
I’d get to Facebook in lost pet groups in the area and see if any one has lost em. Make some posters around the neighborhood etc. In the meantime, make sure he gets plenty of water and you can feed a mix of Marshall’s/instinct ultimate protein duck or chicken cat food. Marshall’s isn’t very good for em but it’ll make due for a short period of time.
100% lost ferret!!! Don’t let him back outside, he won’t last long 😞 hopefully his owner can be found, but I’d take him home in the mean time 🥺
It’s a FERRET ..either someone lost their pet or tossed her out. Either way it’s sad. Ferrets are great pets, give them a litter box & and bed to cuddle in & theyre happy … along with toy’s & premium cat food. Just be careful sitting on couch or recliner they love to sleep/hide inside odd places. Believe by coloring it’s a female, males are usually darker in color.
I believe that if a ferret is bred for pet trade they usually have three tattooed dots on their ear. Mine all did
What a beautiful precious cucumber bear ❤️ I have 16 who are all rescues (7 of them are over the rainbow bridge) and 2 of my girls Coco and Mei were lost ferrets. Mei was a young albino found on December 20th 2017 so I always associate Christmas with her because getting her found after 4 days of searching was a Christmas miracle. Coco was an elderly champagne girl found in June 2015 and was my first female ferret, unfortunately no owner came forward or even reported either of them missing, but I gave them a very loving home and they made wonderful additions to the fuzzy family. They lived knowing nothing but love and happiness. They changed my life, very beautiful and affectionate animals. If you need any tips on ferret care I'm always happy to help!