A ferret, if infected with flea bites, might experience a slow and painful death. The most important task is to prevent the occurrence of fleas in the ferret population by using preventive measures like giving them Cipro for their coat. As for the case of fleas that are already present on your pet’s body, you need to strive to eliminate these insects using proven means. Ferrets are adorable animals with a volume of intriguing qualities. They’re very energetic and playful, which makes them fantastic pets for children.
However, pets require a good deal of attention, which means you will want to be sure to use the best ferret care products to keep your animals healthy and happy. With that being said, let’s talk about fleas. A flea infestation can become a complete nightmare for you, especially if you’re dealing with an infant like we’ve done before in the past on this blog. We’ve gone over the many benefits of using The Natural Ferret Company’s parasite protection products, particularly their Sarcoptic Mange treatment for ferrets. Ferrets are fascinating little creatures, but there is one thing about them that most people don’t know about their vulnerability to fleas.
Although you might think fleas are no big deal, learn more about how they can actually kill your ferret. It is important that you understand the dangers of fleas, and how to stop them. Ferrets are interesting animals, they can apparently be called weasels or polecats. They’re mostly used as pets but were recently ‘re-discovered’ for their ability to kill rats. In fact, although ferrets aren’t (yet) domesticated like dogs and cats are, they’ve been known to take care of household pests for centuries. This is a good thing because domestic ferrets can do damage to not only your property but also themselves through playing or fighting.
Ferrets Suffer From Fleas Just as Other Animals and Humans Do.
Fleas are a parasite that feeds on the blood of animals, including ferrets. Fleas can cause serious illness and even death in some cases. So, yes, ferrets can die from fleas. Ferrets suffer from fleas just as other animals and humans do. Ferrets are at a higher risk than healthy dogs or cats because they have a more fragile immune system. A number of factors make flea bites dangerous to ferrets:
- Flea bites can cause anemia as the insect sucks the blood out of your pet’s body.
- Flea bites often make your pet feel miserable – scratching and biting at the bite site will only create sores that get infected if not treated.
- If fleas are left untreated in your ferret’s environment, they could infect other pets living there as well.
Some Ferrets Can Develop Anemia From Fleas.
If your ferret develops anemia from a flea or other parasite, you’ll notice that your ferret is lethargic and not as active. Their gums, paws, and ear tips will appear paler than normal. The heart rate of your ferret will also increase. Anemia can be deadly to your ferret if they don’t receive medical treatment in time.
To prevent anemia in your ferret, keep them away from parasites such as fleas and ticks by using parasiticides on them; talk to your veterinarian about the best product for flea prevention.
They Can Also Become Ill From the Toxins in Flea Saliva.
Fleas are carriers of diseases and flea saliva is toxic. If a ferret is bitten by a flea, it may have an allergic reaction to the flea bite, which can cause intense skin itching or scratching. Other possible effects of flea bites on ferrets include dermatitis and hot spots.
In rare cases, a ferret may contract anemia due to numerous flea bites. The fleas feed from the blood of the animal and the animal eventually bleeds so much that it develops anemia. Anemic animals often appear weak and pale in color, but if you see this in your pet, ensure that you visit the vet immediately for treatment.
So how do you treat them? Some people think about using traditional cat or dog medications on their pets but this should be avoided at all costs because many of these treatments are toxic to ferrets when used incorrectly.
The safest way to treat a ferret with an infestation problem is with an insecticidal treatment specially formulated for small mammals such as frontline spot-on spray or even advantage spot-on spray (which is not recommended for rabbits).
Can Fleas Suck the Last Few Drops of Blood Out of Your Lethargic Ferret?
Fleas can also suck the last few drops of blood out of your lethargic ferret, which will cause them to die.
You may notice that your ferret seems lethargic, listless, and doesn’t have much of an appetite. Lethargy is a common sign of anemia in ferrets, which is caused by fleas sucking the blood from your pet. A lethargic ferret won’t want to do much at all and may seem as if they are sleeping all day, every day.
If you suspect that your furry friend has fleas or they seem lethargic, take them to their veterinarian immediately to get the correct treatment. If left untreated, anemia can be fatal for your ferret so it’s important not to delay in this instance.
Lethargy may be accompanied by weakness in their legs or a lack of energy so they take a while to stand up after lying down. This can be quite disconcerting for owners but if you think that your fleet has fleas it’s important that you seek medical help right away so they can get the best treatment before it gets any worse.
How Do I Protect My Ferrets From Fleas?
Fleas can be a real problem for ferrets. They can cause itching and skin infections, and they can even transmit tapeworms. If you have ferrets in your home and want to keep them safe from fleas, then you need to treat every furred animal in the house every month and be sure to use an approved flea product for the species of animal you need to treat. Be consistent and faithful with your flea treatment and set reminders on your phone. Treat the house as well, launder bedding weekly, and vacuum twice weekly.
Visiting a vet
If you have a ferret with a flea problem, a vet visit is in order to save your pet. It’s important to remember that ferrets are very susceptible to fleas and a flea infestation can be very serious. You may think your ferret has fleas because it is scratching a lot or losing hair, but don’t wait to find out. If you suspect your ferret is suffering from fleas, take it to the vet immediately for treatment. If you wait until your ferret becomes lethargic or stops eating entirely, it may be too late and could be fatal for the animal.
List Of Flea Products For Ferret
If you own a ferret, chances are you know all about fleas. You may even be tired of hearing about them. But the truth is that fleas can be an incredibly serious problem for ferrets, and if left untreated they can even kill your furry friend.
Luckily there are plenty of options available to keep your ferret free of these pesky pests.
FRONTLINE Plus for Cats and Kittens (1.5 pounds and over) Flea and Tick Treatment, 3 Doses
Price: $38.99
Features :
- The name in flea & tick protection trusted by pet owners for over 20 years, this waterproof, fast-acting flea and tick treatment kills fleas, flea eggs, lice, and ticks, including those that may transmit Lyme disease.
- Designed for use only with cats and kittens, this long-lasting treatment is made for cats eight weeks or older, weighing 1.5 pounds or more.
- Made with two active ingredients, fipronil and (S)-methoprene, this treatment stops infestations and prevents new ones.
- Applied on a single point on your pet, the treatment rapidly covers your cat’s entire body and deposits in the sebaceous glands. These glands as a reservoir, continuously replenishing the treatment onto your pet, working even if your cat gets wet.
- One dose of FRONTLINE Plus lasts 30 days.
Additional Info :
| Color | Green |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 0.5 Inches |
| Width | 4.5 Inches |
| Length | 6 Inches |
| Weight | 0.07054792384 Pounds |
Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor – Enzyme-Powered Pet Odor Eliminator for Home – Carpet Stain Remover for Cats and Dog Pee – Enzymatic Cat Urine Destroyer – Carpet Cleaner Spray
Price: $19.97 ($0.62 / Fl Oz)
Features :
- CERTIFIED GENTLE AND SAFE Chlorine free and color-safe. Safe to use around pets and children. No hazardous propellants and no residue were left behind. So gentle it’s been Certified Safe for all carpets, earning the Seal of Approval by the trusted Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)
- ELIMINATES STAINS, ODORS, AND RESIDUE If it’s gross, it’s gone. Not just the stain, but the stink. From stinky yellow pet urine and feces to vomit and other organic spills, our professional strength formula tackles them all.
- EVERY SURFACE, EVERY TIME For use on carpets, floors, furniture, clothing, litter boxes, kennels, carriers, all pet living, and sleeping areas, anywhere stains happen.
- ENZYME ACTIVATED The key is getting to the problem deep down. This spray contains natural enzymes that are activated in contact with odors and stains, feeding on ammonia crystals and organic matter until they are completely eliminated.
- 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED An Amazon best seller—for a reason. If your stains and odors aren’t gone, neither is your money. We’ll refund it in full.
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 10 Inches |
| Width | 2 Inches |
| Length | 5 Inches |
| Weight | 2 Pounds |
Flea and Tick Collar for Cats,8 Month Flea and Tick Treatment and Prevention for All Sizes Cats, Adjustable and Waterproof,100% Natural Ingredients, Include Tick Removal Tools,2 Pack
Price: $22.99
Features :
- 8 MONTHS SAFE & EFFECTIVE PROTECTION – The paranda cat flea and tick collar work around the clock to help your beloved furry friend get rid of internal & external parasites and fleas, ticks, and other pests. The protection can last for up to 8 months.
- UPGRADE DESIGN – The cat flea collar adds a waterproof design and an emergency breaking point that allows your cat to walk and play in the rain or wet snow without worrying about their Safety and the effectiveness of the collar.
- ONE SIZE FITS ALL CATS – A cat flea and tick collar is completely suitable for cats of all sizes. You can easily adjust the cat flea collar according to your cat’s neck. Just need to adjust or cut off the excess length to fit your cat. Collar Size:14.96 inches.
- EXCLUSIVE FORMULA – 100% natural ingredients, Parenda Flea Collar only contains a proprietary blend of essential oils. Non-greasy, odorless, easy-to-use.
- What You Get – 2 X cat flea and tick collars,2 X tick removal tools,1X instruction manual,8-Month Worry-free protection,45-day money back, and friendly customer service.
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 0.12 Inches |
| Width | 0.28 Inches |
| Length | 14.96 Inches |
| Weight | 0.0275 Pounds |
ANGRY ORANGE Pet Odor Eliminator for Home – 8oz Dog & Cat Urine Smell Remover – Citrus Concentrate – Makes a Gallon (128 oz)
Price: $23.97
Features :
- Effective – The Angry Orange odor eliminator for strong odor eradicates even the toughest stains and traces of lingering pet smells.
- Citrus Scent – Derived from oil found in fresh orange peels, our urine odor eliminator smells like heaven and works like hell.
- Concentrated Cleaner – For every 8 oz. bottle of our cat and dog odor eliminators for home use make 1 gallon of solution. Just add 4 tbsp into a 32 oz. bottle, shake, and spray.
- Use Anywhere – This powerful odor and urine destroyer can also be used on cat pee and even in the yard.
- Multipurpose – Our dog and cat odor eliminator is pet-friendly for use around your fur babies. It safely destroys stubborn smells on carpets, tiles, furniture, and more.
Additional Info :
| Color | Orange |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 2.3 Inches |
| Width | 2.3 Inches |
| Length | 4.6 Inches |
| Weight | 0.5 Pounds |
In Conclusion,
It is possible for a ferret to die from fleas. When they are infected with fleas, they become sick and can develop anemia from blood loss. This can cause death in some cases. However, there are ways to prevent your ferret from being infected by fleas. You should regularly check your ferret for fleas and give them baths once a week to keep them clean and healthy.