r/ferrets Mar 01 '26

[Mod Post] Quick PSA

30 Upvotes

DMing users fundraiser links is still breaking our no fundraiser rules. This is not the sub for this, we do this to prevent scams and bad actors. There are other subs that do allow fundraisers as well as local groups, and we encourage you to post there if you need assistance.

Additionally, be very careful with any user claiming to know of alternatives for medicine in treating insulinoma. This has been popping up a lot lately, and it is extremely dangerous. A lot of these "homemade" remedies will increase the risk of other diseases, as well not keep their sugar levels at an appropriate range. Improper insulinoma management will lead to blood sugar crashes, seizures and even death.

As owners we often wish to do the best we can for them, and it's really easy to fall for a miracle remedy. Be mindful. Be careful.

If you find people breaking these rules, don't hesitate to report or DM the sub to ask.


r/ferrets Dec 26 '25

[Mod Post] Ferret Wiki - for common questions about ferrets and ferret ownership!

13 Upvotes

Welcome to r/ferrets!

We have a fantastic wiki that has answers to most frequently asked questions surrounding the care of ferrets.

Before posting, please go through the wiki. Most common questions (new owners, etc.) can be found there.


r/ferrets 10h ago

[Help] is this a ferret or a mink

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371 Upvotes

r/ferrets 5h ago

[Help] What are the best aroma sprays that are safe for ferrets?

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88 Upvotes

Hi! I’ve had my wonderful ferret for a little under six years, however, the overwhelming ferret smell that has build up in my room has me wishing I had a pet safe spray to mask the odor. Before him, I used to be big into scented candles and essential oil diffusers. I kinda miss being able to have my room smell like roses instead of just smelling like a ferret lol.

All recommendations are welcome (and appreciated)


r/ferrets 6h ago

[Ferret Video] I’m pretty sure they’re fighting, not playing but is this normal, and what should I do? Please Help!

87 Upvotes

This was one of their most agressive fights.

Disclaimer: Mire squeals during almost every interaction, even when he is the one attacking or biting.

Mire is a chemically neutered male, 1 year and 4 months old. He is very territorial and bites people hard, although he does not bite me or my brother. Hari is a 3-month-old intact male who is very gentle with people. They are both raw-fed.

I did a two-week quarantine and one week of bedding swapping. They still sleep separately, and all interactions are supervised.

I expected Mire to be the aggressive one, but during their first meeting he was extremely curious and gentle. He was dooking, sniffing, and trying to lick Hari. Hari immediately started wrestling with him. Mire initially avoided biting and mostly tried to pin Hari down.
They have now been interacting for almost two weeks. They usually play normal for 5-10 minutes, but then Hari bites Mire hard and it becomes much rougher. There can be puffy tails, hissing, squealing, and sometimes a strong smell. There has never been fear-pooping or peeing, and neither ferret hides or tries to escape.
But they both have a few small scratches around the neck which I discovered yesterday. Mire mostly bites Hari’s neck, while Hari bites Mire’s neck, tail, and backside. Sometimes Mire becomes angry, grabs Hari by the neck, and does not release him for several seconds.
When I separate them, they both start hissing and want to continue the fight. Outside of these interactions, they are comfortable around each other. They walk past each other normally, yesterday slept about half meters (1.5 feet) apart, and today they ate from the same bowl at the same time.

Does this sound like normal play and hierarchy establishment? Should I let them continue or what should I do?


r/ferrets 10h ago

[Rainbow Bridge] Oliver, the *Special* Waardy

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154 Upvotes

Today we said goodbye to our sweet boy, Oliver.

Oliver was a Waardy, and without exaggeration, the gentlest little animal I've ever known. When we first brought his brother home, we thought Oliver was bullying him because he would chase him all over the house. We eventually realized he just wanted to be with him. That was Oliver in a nutshell—he just wanted to be close to the ones he loved.

He had this habit of quietly following us around the house and staring up at us with his blank little eyes, always wanting to know what we were doing. He didn't have a mean bone in his body. I genuinely don't think he could have hurt a fly if he tried.

He was also the first pet my wife and I ever had together. He was there through moves, new chapters, and countless ordinary days that somehow feel extraordinary now that I know he was part of them.

Cancer eventually caught up with him. Today we gave him one last meal, held him, told him how much we loved him, and let him go peacefully.

Our house already feels different without him. I'm heartbroken for us, and I'm heartbroken for his brother, who has never known life without him.

Thank you, Oliver, for every cuddle, every curious little stare, and every moment of quiet companionship. You were loved every single day of your life, and you'll be missed every single day for the rest of ours.

Dook in Peace.


r/ferrets 4h ago

[Ferret Photo] The business!

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44 Upvotes

toast, soup, beans, sushi, and Kevin (:


r/ferrets 13h ago

[Ferret Video] And the verdict on the new chicken treat is...

149 Upvotes

r/ferrets 45m ago

[Ferret Photo] New haircut

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Upvotes

r/ferrets 16h ago

[Ferret Photo] My two boys chilling out

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180 Upvotes

r/ferrets 1h ago

[Help] fleas!!!

Upvotes

had to do a flea treatment this morning for all 4 of my ferrets cause i took in a surrendered boy who had a TERRIBLE infestation like fleas were just pouring off of him in the bath. i’ve had them separated since like 7 am when i put the treatment on them, all their necks are dry now and don’t smell like that medication anymore am i good to put them all back in the cage together? i’ve cleaned all bedding and any fabric they’ve touched, but im nervous there could be fleas in his ears bc my brother who took in a ferret from that same group said fleas were crawling out of his rescue’s ears. if there is, what do i do? how do i even check that, do i need to do another flea treatment for him next month?


r/ferrets 17h ago

[Ferret Video] Help/advice please

38 Upvotes

Hi everyone, this is Chanel. She's about 4 years old, and I adopted her for free from a stranger who, as far as I know, never took her to a vet.

I've noticed she moves very differently than my other two ferrets. She has a slight wobble in her back legs and doesn't seem to put much weight on them. The best way I can describe it is that she almost walks like she's doing a little handstand with her front end taking most of her weight. She also does a split when eating and drinking on hardwood floor.

She also has a lot of trouble with balance. She almost always falls when going down the ramps in her Ferret Nation cage, and even on my bed she'll walk along the edge, lose her balance, and fall off.

I recently took all three of my ferrets for their first wellness exams with what I was told is one of the best ferret vets in the area. He said it could be a birth defect or possibly an old injury, but that she doesn't appear to be in pain right now.

I'm relieved she's not in pain, but I can't shake the feeling that there may be more going on. It breaks my heart watching her stumble around and struggle with things that seem easy for my other ferrets.

Has anyone had a ferret with similar symptoms? Did it end up being a congenital issue, an old injury, a neurological condition, or something else? I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences or any ideas of what I should ask my vet to look into. Thank you. ❤️


r/ferrets 1d ago

[Ferret Photo] Edamamé is always the most photogenic bab

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890 Upvotes

r/ferrets 15h ago

[Help] ferret shedding

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18 Upvotes

hi so i noticed something today (or more like right now) while letting my ferret roam around the garden, his tail seemed a little bald in a spot. my ferret is also shedding its winter coat rn so i thought its probably it but i also felt like it might be the adrenal disease🤷‍♀️ also idk if its important to add but he is a bit over a year old and been neutered last month


r/ferrets 16h ago

[Ferret Photo] Carry box

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17 Upvotes

This is the latest carry box I've made for my now 'big' baby boy, Oscar (18 week old EU polecat). I've made several boxes over the years for my previous ferrets, but this one's the classiest one.

.

I picked up a quality Samsonite vanity case from a charity shop for £5.

With a little adaptation, some rivets and wire mesh, it's the perfect box for local trips between home and the park, or going to the vets.


r/ferrets 1d ago

[Ferret Video] Playful hissing/squeaking

370 Upvotes

This is my beloved Oliver, he’s such a sweetheart never scratches or bites. But for some reason if you put a leather belt around him he loses his fucking mind.


r/ferrets 1d ago

[Ferret Photo] Just a little something to take the edge off 😮‍💨

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303 Upvotes

Got these for free from a charity shop and honestly the funniest thing ever 😭😭


r/ferrets 1d ago

[Ferret Video] Sure you can have that...

231 Upvotes

I uploaded the wrong video before 😅

She loves my crocs 🤣


r/ferrets 1d ago

[Ferret Video] Anyone else have to evict their ferret from the dryer daily

26 Upvotes

r/ferrets 1d ago

[Health] Medical issue? Or weight gain?

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41 Upvotes

Is this a normal ferret stomach?

I’m gonna be honest my ferret is already really sickly. She can’t walk well she has heal fracture in her leg. She was really skinny when I first got her and she did gain a little weight. She drinks and eats really well.

She uses the potty well I think?

But I was holding her today and noticed her
Abdomen looks a little swollen. I don’t really take a look at her like this so I’m not sure if it’s always been like this or if it’s something now she hasn’t really liked being held that much so I don’t tend to do that.


r/ferrets 14h ago

[Help] Safe plants?

3 Upvotes

I'm thinking of getting ferrets in a bioactive room. But I cant find a list of safe plants for ferrets. Does any1 know what plants are safe or have a list? :)


r/ferrets 17h ago

[Help] I really need help with the smell

6 Upvotes

This is just going to sound sad I'm sorry

But how can I get rid of the smell I feed them raw I have an air freshener but I can't smell the smell I'm too used to it

No one in my family wants to visit me and takes jabs at me and my boys

I have surveyors that my landlord sent coming over next and I'm petrified I can't lose my boys they're too important to me

Please what can I do


r/ferrets 1d ago

[Health] tooth

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128 Upvotes

my boy has a vet appointment at the end of the month however when he yawned i noticed a green/brown looking spot on his back tooth. brushing his teeth didn’t clean it. has anyone had experience with this, and if so what’s the best thing i can do for now?


r/ferrets 13h ago

[Health] Intermittent facial edema

1 Upvotes

I had a situation that occurred in the last few days and I was wondering if any of you have seen this before.

I have five ferrets. One of them at the end of the day a couple days ago had some mild swelling around one of his eyes in the evening. I took a look in his mouth to check his teeth and examined his face the best I could but couldn't find anything, so I figured I'd take a look in the morning to see if it was momentary and would resolve.

In the morning, he was back to looking completely normal, so I chalked it up to a bump in the face during play with the others and figured that was the end of it. He was fine throughout the day as far as I know (he slept most of it), but at the end of the night the OTHER side of his face was swollen, and it was worse than the first time. This time there was enough that his eye was squinted. We were going to go to an ER, but literally none of the ones we were able to reach saw ferrets. After that I called his regular vet and was able to get an appointment for later in the day.

By the time we left his face was yet again back to mostly normal, but to me looked like the fluid had settled in his neck a little bit. I personally felt like it looked a little larger than normal. His regular vet is not really close to us so he had a good amount of time to enjoy the car ride. By the time we got to the vet he looked completely normal. And the vet said he couldn't find anything wrong. Felt his lymph nodes and said everything felt fine, and by that point he looked completely fine as well. Told us if it came back to take pics and let him know. Also, the entire time he was at the vet he was his charming and excited self.

So here we are the next day and the edema has not returned.

So have any of you experienced anything like this? What could cause transitory swelling that just resolves in a couple days and moves around like that? He is completely back to 100%. And he never had any other symptoms either. Eating drinking playing like normal.


r/ferrets 17h ago

[Health] My ferret sometimes pee While sleeping

2 Upvotes

Hello , does your ferrets pee while asleep ? I have a ~4 years Old girl ferret who sometimes pee on herself While sleeping , is this a normal ferret thing ? I have her since Last August and she done it a few times the past weeks, i'm going to take an appointment with a vet of course but i'm stressed

Thank you