Read our advice on keeping ferrets cool in summer
Did you know that ferrets don’t sweat, at all? They don’t pant either to try and expel heat. For these reasons, heatstroke can pose a serious threat to your ferret’s health during summer.
Read our vet Samuels’ advice below on how to cool your ferret down when the temperature is heating up.
What temperature is too hot for ferrets?
Your ferret’s health is at risk when the temperature around their cage reaches above 27 degrees Celsius. Without the ability to sweat or pant to cool down, your pet ferret will be relying on you to help them stay happy and healthy in Stirlingshire this summer.
How to cool your ferret:
Water is great for cooling ferrets down. Here are some different ways you can use it:
- Put a shallow bowl of water in your ferret’s cage for them to take a cool soak and splash about in.
- Remove labels off a plastic bottle and fill it with water, leaving enough room at the top so the water can expand when frozen – pop it in the freezer. Wrap the frozen bottle in a towel and place it in your ferret’s cage for them to use as a cooling station.
- If your ferret likes to chew plastic, you can just put some ice cubes in an extra absorbent towel so they can use the cold soaked towel to lie on.
- Put some ice cubes in your ferret’s drinking bowl – do this several times on a hot day.
- Put some cold water in a misting bottle and give your ferret a light misting morning, noon, and night. Avoid getting their bedding really wet and change it often to avoid fly issues.
How to cool the room:
Getting the air circulating around the room can help, so long as the hot air can get out and fresh cool air can come in. It’s also important to keep the humidity at a comfortable level.
- If you have air conditioning, point the fans away from your ferret’s cage. Top tip, if the vent goes out of a window, make sure your ferret can’t escape.
- When using room fans, point them away from the cage and ensure the blades are guarded.
- Got a ceiling fan? Make sure your ferret can’t get to it.
As the best temperature for ferrets is below 27 degrees Celsius, we suggest moving their cage to a cooler and less humid place in your home in exceptionally hot weather. The garage and kitchen are usually cool spots when the rest of your house is hot.
Symptoms of heatstroke in ferrets: severe lethargy, lying flat on the floor, excess mucus/drool, gasping/shallow breaths, mouth hanging open, vomiting, red/flushed appearance, footpads turning red, glassy-eyed, and seizure.
If you have any concerns about your ferret, call us on 01324 829 989 or see our emergency information.
