Hi.  I have a couple of questions:
 
1:  What's the best food for my ferret?
 
[We use Science Diet Feline Maintenance (dry) and ours certainly seem quite
happy.  Some people use Purina Ferret Chow, but our vet thinks it's a
rip-off]
 
2:  What's the best cat litter to use for my ferret?
3:  I got him a collar... Is this good?
 
[It's a smart idea, because in the unlikely event that he gets loose,
people will recognize him for a pet rather than a rabid rat and thwap
him with a broom.]
 
4:  How large does his cage need to be?
 
[As large as you can manage - eg: a *large* rabbit cage will give him lots
of room.  Even so, if you can let him out for an hour or two per day then
the cage size won't matter quite as much]
 
5:  How often should they get their distemper/rabies shots?
 
[Distemper: once/year.  *MAKE SURE YOU USE THE RIGHT VACCINE!*  Normal
Dog and Cat distemper shots can give a ferret distemper.  Your vet should
know the right type to give.  I have a little more information if required.
 
Rabies, weeeellll, opinion varies.  In neither the US or Canada is a
rabies shot officially "recognized" as protecting a ferret against rabies.
Depending on your local dept. of health, if your ferret bites someone,
the animal might be confiscated and destroyed (destructively tested),
regardless of shots.  Our vet is of the opinion that it isn't worth it,
because the only way the ferret can catch the disease is by being let out,
and in that case you'll lose it anyways.  Veterinarian opinion seems to be
that if a ferret catches rabies, the symptoms are *very* obvious, and the
animal will die within two or three days.]
 
Any other helpful hints would be immensely appreciated.  Thanks...
Tom
                                                                          
[Posted in FML 0085]