For dog and cat owners, fleas are one of those things that you dread seeing on your pet. However, many ferret owners are unaware of the fact that they should also be on the lookout for fleas, as these pests can definitely impact ferrets. This article we will discuss how to prevent your ferret from picking up fleas, as well as what to do if you find your ferret infested with fleas.
The easiest way to ensure that your ferret does not contract fleas is to make sure that your ferret are inside only animals. While it is still possible for an indoor ferret to contract fleas, it is much less likely that they will. If you have other animals in your home that spend time inside as well as outside, make sure that they are treated with flea preventatives to ensure that your ferret does not contract fleas from a resident cat or dog.
If your ferret does spend time outside, make sure to work with your vet to make sure that they are properly protected against fleas. Certain medications for flea prevention for kittens and cats have been approved for ferret use as well. Since these medications are designed for use on much larger animals than ferrets, it is important to get correct dosage from your vet to avoid any detrimental side effects from flea preventative.
If your ferret does happen to contract fleas, it is important to bathe them immediately in order to get all fleas off of them before they start to cause health issues for your ferret. Use a shampoo that is suitable for kittens, and use a flea comb to ensure that you have removed all fleas from their body. It is essential to launder their beds and blankets in hot water, or completely replace them all together. You will also need to treat all of your carpets and upholstered furniture to ensure that there are no eggs or fleas hiding that can reinfest your ferret.
Hopefully, you will never have to deal with your ferret suffering from fleas, and hopefully this article has outlined how to prevent this nightmare from happening. Make sure to check out our other articles on ferret ownership to get you up to speed on all things ferret related!