It's approaching summer for those in the Northern Hemisphere - which means
nice warm days now, but for many will soon be HOT.  Ferrets cannot stand
the heat, particularly ferrets that are accustomed to being nice and cool
inside :o)
 
Essentially, if your ferrets live outside, on hot days, put a frozen drink
bottle (or similar) wrapped in a wet cloth in a shaded spot in their cage.
Inside ferrets you can do the same thing.  If you have airconditioning,
don't rely completely to that.  Some people have lost their furbabies when
the airconditioning malfunctioned while they were at work.  The temperature
rose abruptly in the building, and their ferrets had died of heat exhaustion
before they returned home from work. :o ( One suggestion is to drape a towel
in a bucket of water resting above the ferrets' cage (personally, I'd weigh
the end to the bottom so it doesn't come out) make sure it's a long towel,
or tied to another one, which is placed inside the cage.  The water in the
bucket will keep the towels wet, and evaporation will cool the area nearby.
The ferrets can rest on or near the towels to get cooler.  Just... you might
want to make sure the wet towels aren't near bedding, food or litterpan
area :o)
 
If you're travelling, lots of water stops, and those frozen bottles
work wonders :o)
 
If you're at home, and see your ferret looking listless, panting, cool them
down immediately!  They can die within a matter of minutes with heat
exhaustion - and some feel the heat more than others.  Most of mine are
good, but Gemn (one of my little sprites) feels the heat.  i've had to be
extra careful watching her, to make sure she does well during the summer.
Best way to cool them is cool (not cold) water gently run over their body
(make sure their whole body gets wet).  Especially at first it's a good
idea not to immerse them in cold water - the extreme temperature change may
put the ferret into shock.  Cool water is fine.
 
Best temps for ferrets are below 80oF - or approx 24oC - they can do well on
temps above that, but some are susceptible at the lower temps, especially
those kept inside where higher temperatures are a shock to their system.
 
If you take a few minor precautions, you and they should have a great
summer :o)
 
Sam
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful
committed people can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
 
If everyone got together ferrets would be treated fairly.
[Posted in FML issue 2288]