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Importance of Maintaining Proper Ferret Hydration

By Jake Willhoite · · Updated

Maintaining Proper Ferret Hydration
Contents

Water matters for your pet ferret in more ways than one. Ferrets dehydrate quickly, and their skin, their largest organ, is one of the first places a lack of water shows. The skin protects the body from injury and infection, and like most mammals, ferret skin has multiple layers.

The outermost layer is called the epidermis. It acts as the first defense against bacteria and germs, and its dead cells are constantly replaced by new ones.

Healthy Epidermis

One of the simplest ways to keep the epidermis healthy is to keep your ferret’s home clean and dry. Ferrets love to explore dusty, dirty places, so wipe off dirt with a soft cloth dampened in lukewarm water.

Ferrets don’t need frequent baths. Bathing too often can dry out the skin, so ask your vet how often is right for your ferret.

Dermis

The second layer of your pet’s skin is called the dermis, which is thicker than the epidermis. Made of connective tissue, the dermis also contains blood vessels, hair follicles and nerves. Sebaceous glands in the dermis make sebum, an oily substance.

Ferrets have a natural musky scent from these skin oils. Merck notes the musky smell is milder in ferrets neutered early in life. Washing bedding often also helps keep odor down.

Sweat Glands

In most mammals, the skin contains sweat glands that help regulate body temperature. Ferrets have no sweat glands, so they overheat easily and handle cold better than heat.

The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends keeping ferrets at about 65°F to 75°F and never over 90°F. Heat stroke can kill a ferret, so watch closely on hot days and after hard play.

Merck also says ferrets easily overheat and become dehydrated, so food and fresh water should be available at all times. Ferrets often tip over bowls, so use a heavy, sturdy bowl or one that attaches to the cage, and refill it daily.

Dehydration

Dehydration, or lack of water in the body, is a serious condition. Merck notes that ferrets with vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours should see a vet, because they can quickly become dehydrated and weak.

A simple home check is the skin tent test. Gently pinch the skin at the back of the neck, lift it, and let go. In a well-hydrated ferret it snaps right back; if it stays tented or returns slowly, your ferret may be dehydrated.

Other signs include sunken eyes, dry or sticky gums, and lethargy. Call your vet rather than treating at home, and don’t give Pedialyte or other electrolyte drinks unless your vet tells you to.

For moderate to severe dehydration, the vet can give fluids under the skin or into a vein. Treat a body temperature above 105°F (40.5°C) as an emergency, according to Merck’s list of ferret emergencies.

Protecting the Skin

Healthy, hydrated skin stays soft and supple. Dry, flaky or cracked skin can let bacteria in and may signal a diet, hydration or health problem, so mention it to your vet.

To prevent dehydration and heat stress, keep water available at all times and keep the cage out of direct sunlight. Also avoid hot, stuffy rooms with poor ventilation. Lastly, don’t mix supplements into your pet’s water, which may make it drink less.

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