Ferret Lifespan, How Long Do Ferrets Live?

Ferret Lifespan

What does a pet ferret’s lifespan look like and how long do they live? If you have some of these wonderful creatures or are looking into acquiring one, then you might be wondering, how long do ferrets live? Most pets have a much shorter lifespan than humans and it’s good to know what you’re getting into.

So, let’s dive into the lifespan of a ferret and learn how to maximize the length and happiness of the life of your ferret friend.

Ferret Health

Keeping your ferret healthy is key to a long happy life for your fuzzy friend. A good way to start your ferret out on the right track to a long healthy life is to learn about everything they need. Firstly get in depth information at a high quality ferret blog like this one on how to take care of a ferret.

Your ferret’s lifespan will largely be affected by diet. There are many varieties of ferret food out there and raw meat diets are becoming increasingly popular as well. While ferrets can eat some human foods as a treat, there are also many human foods that are very bad for your ferret’s health.

Regular exercise is another important factor when it comes to ferret health. It is a good idea to learn about how big of a ferret cage you need and how often to let them out to run around and play (and steal your stuff). Again, there are many options when it comes to housing your ferret and lot’s of ideas on how best to get them a proper amount of exercise.

Genetics

Like most pets, genetics play a relatively large role in a ferret lifespan. You may be aware of many of the varieties of ferrets on the market these days. There are 16-20 different types of color and patterned ferrets, each with slightly different genetics. Although most of these variations are negligible, there are a few genetically inferior types of ferrets that can be recognized by their markings

Due to the red eyes inherited by albino ferrets, they tend to have poor vision. Blaze and panda colored ferrets have a 75% chance of being deaf due to the a disease called Waardenburg syndrome. This is a huge percentage. Additionally and unfortunately, ferrets bred and raised at the behemoth Marshall Farm are said to have medical issues more often than from any other major breeder.

We can’t specifically confirm this allegation but many ferret owners are in congruency on this issue. If you have any experiences with this please share your insights at the forum.

Diseases that shorten the ferret lifespan

Adrenal disease

Unfortunately, adrenal disease in ferrets is very, very common. One 2003 study showed that up to 70% of ferrets in the USA are affected by this disease. Also known as adrenocortical disease, it is one of the top three most common diseases in ferrets and can be fatal if not treated.

Adrenal disease in ferrets can be linked to three main factors. Unusual or oddly timed exposure to sunlight, unhealthy diet, and early spaying or neutering. So to insure a long ferret lifespan be sure to keep your fuzzys in a regulated shady spot, feed them high protein foods and spay your female ferret at 7-8 months of age or neuter your males around 5-6 months.

Ferret Gastrointestinal Obstruction

While this one isn’t really a disease it can be a fairly common issue that should be mentioned due to most ferret’s obsession with chewing on rubbery indigestible things. If you notice your ferret has stopped defecating it is important to keep a very close eye on them. When ferrets lodge something in their gastrointestinal tract, they won’t be able to keep food down and may become overly lethargic.

You may also notice that they are feeling sensitive in their abdomen when you pick them up and they may have small bouts of vomiting. An ultrasound or ex-ray should be able to diagnose a foreign object obstruction, so be sure to take them to your local vet if you are seeing these symptoms.

Heart disease in ferrets

Heart disease is a common health issue that can affect ferrets, just like any other animal. There can be several factors that contribute to the development of heart disease in ferrets. Some of the primary causes include genetics, high blood pressure and poor diet.

Detecting the symptoms of heart disease in ferrets can be challenging as they often exhibit subtle signs. However, some common symptoms to watch out for include difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss and increased lethargy.

While not all cases of heart disease in ferrets can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. These steps will also potentially help with the other medical issues outlined in this article. So read on to discover ways to increase the chances of providing a healthy and happy ferret lifespan.

A healthy Ferret Lifespan

To maximize the lifespan of your ferret, it is important to take certain factors into account. Regular vet checkups and feeding them high-quality, protein-rich foods are essential. Additionally, keep an eye out for signs of gastrointestinal obstruction, such as a lack of defecation, lethargy, and vomiting. If you notice these symptoms, consult your local vet for diagnosis and treatment. You can search for local vets by zip code here.

To sum up the three most important factors that will likely contribute to a long and healthy ferret lifespan are as follows:

1. Providing a balanced diet: Feeding a high-quality diet rich in protein and high in fats while limiting starches.
2. Regular exercise: Encouraging regular exercise helps keep ferrets active and helps them maintain a healthy weight.
3. Routine veterinary visits: Regular check-ups can help catch any potential medical issues early on.

Ferrets don’t require a lot a maintenance relative to many more common pets however, proper diet, exercise and regular checkups are essential. To learn more about these necessities for a healthy ferret lifespan check out our ferret blog and be sure to join the community where you can learn and share with other ferret lovers from around the world.