Ferret owners need to play an active role in the health care of a pet ferret. Grooming is not only a way to keep your ferret looking its best and feeling its friskiest, it is a significant part of your ferret's preventive home health care program.

Many ferret health problems and unnecessary veterinary bills can be avoided if you recognize the need for routine grooming. Learn how to identify early warning signs before a problem gets out of control.

This guide will concentrate on easy techniques that you can apply at home, including easy instructions on how to examine and care for your ferret's skin and fur, eyes, ears, nails and teeth, and external parasite control.

NAIL CARE
Proper nail care is an important part of your ferret's grooming program because properly cut nails will enable you to safely handle your pet. Nails need to be clipped on a regular basis (7-10 days), not only to avoid your getting scratched, but as protection for the animal. Long nails can get caught in towels, bedding or carpeting and also can place undue stress upon the joints of the paws.

WHEN AND HOW TO CUT THE NAILS...
The optimal time to do this is when your pet is tired or sleeping, NOT when it is at its friskiest. Natural daylight is best. If you do not have proper lighting, have someone shine a bright light (from a flashlight or pen light) on the nails.

Method 1 - With a Helper
If you have someone who can help you, let him/her hold the animal while you do the clipping. To trim nails you will need a pair of human or cat clippers.
Your helper should grasp your ferret by the scruff of the neck and let it "dangle" in the air. Its lower body should be supported on a counter top or your helper's lap. Before you cut your ferret's nails, take its paw, gently grasp the nail, and look for the pink blood vein area. It is easy to see with a bright light. YOU DO NOT WANT TO CUT INTO THE PINK AREA!! If you do, it will be painful and the vein will bleed. Accidents happen, of course, so if you should slip and nick the vein area, use a stypic powder, corn strach or cold water to stop the bleeding. Using a sterile gauze bandage or a clean cloth, apply direct pressure.

Method 2 - Without A Helper
To trim the nails you will need a pair of human or cat nail clippers. To aid in the clipping you will need a fatty acid supplement such as Linatone for cats or a cat hairball laxative. Take your ferret, sit down, scruff it by the neck and place it on your lap. On the ferret's belly distribute 3 or 4 drops of Linatone. Next, take your scruffed ferret and put its nose to the Linatone. While your ferret is busy licking, cut its nails. Some ferrets eat faster than others. You may need to add a few more drops.

NOTE: If your ferret has never had Linatone before, introduce the ferret to the product before attempting to cut the nails.

You probably will notice that as your ferrets gets older, its nails will start to curl. Therefore, keep its nails trimmed on a regular basis. If you do not, your ferret could become entangled in its bedding and remain there unable to reach its food and water until you come home.

NOTE: if your ferret's nails get caught on anything (bedding, towels or carpeting), grasph your pet by the scruff of the neck, controlling its head, because it may bite if it is hurt or in pain. Free the nail and assess the damage.

Sometimes the ferret actually will tear the nail out near the nail bed. Your first concern is to stop the bleeding. Going to the veterinarian should be your next step because the ferret may need stitches or nail removal and antibiotics to prevent infection.

If your ferret's nail is simply broekn or torn, clip off any hanging pieces and clean with hydrogen peroxide. The effort you take is worthwhile because well-cared-for ferrets lead to happy and healthy pets.

Part II will concentrate on the care of a ferret's paws and pads. For further information on ferret care, contact Ferrets, Inc. (305) 856-8566.

Deborah Jeans, the author of A practical Guide to Ferret Care, is one of the country's leading experts on ferret health and care. For further information, you may write to the author at P.O. Box 450099, Miami, Florida 33245. A Practical Guide to Ferret Care can be purchased through a bookstore near you such as Borders bookstore or Barnes & Noble.

Grooming Your Ferret - Part II by Deborah Jeans