Seeing how hot it has been in the NYC area lately, I was wondering how other
people are dealing with keeping their pets cool over the summer.  We have
two ferrets, and they do NOT seem to tolerate the heat very well.  When we
are not home they are kept in a large open cage in the living room.  We have
all the windows open to provide air circulation, and have a large
oscillating fan that is on constantly.  I also change their water every day
and fill it with fresh refrigerated water, so they can have a cool drink.
 
When they are out of their cage, they are not as active as they used to be
in the cool spring weather, and Jethro, our big 5-month-old silver male,
frequently just stretches out on the floor and looks up at me, as if to say,
"Why don't you turn off the heat?" EllieMae, our petite 3-month-old sable
female, sleeps constantly, even outside of the cage.  When they are in
motion, they both pant horribly.  We give them baths once a week to cool
them down, but they don't seem like that too much either.
 
So if anyone has any ideas on how to cool down two hot ferrets, I'd love to
hear them!
 
Thanks!
Donna and Evan,
Jethro (Is that a treat?) and
EllieMae (More kisses!)
[Posted in FML issue 2345]