Ferrets make for entertaining and playful pets. The Mustelidae family, which also contains badgers, weasels, pine martens, and otters, includes these fluffy little critters. While domesticated ferrets and wild ferrets differ significantly, they do share a same growth pattern.
The “jokers of the animal kingdom,” as ferrets are frequently referred to, The names “Hobs” for male ferrets and “Jills” for female ferrets are somewhat appropriate for these playful and humorous animals. They are sexually dimorphic because as adults, males grow to be significantly larger than females.
But at birth, male and female ferrets are around the same size. They initially fit in the palm of your hand, but throughout the first month of life, they grow quickly. Only when they are 2 months old do they begin to slow down.
Information on Ferrets
Ferrets are cunning and intelligent animals, which can be a risky mix for a house pet. You must “ferret-proof” your home to prevent disaster and be ready for the pranks that these furry creatures are willing to play.
Mustela putorius furo, the scientific name for ferrets, is highly evocative. Basically, it means “smelly weasel thief.” They are not given this name just for fun; rather, it functions as a kind of caution to anybody considering adopting one. Be ready for lots of enjoyment and plenty of trouble.
Ferrets frequently sleep for up to 20 hours every day, and when they do, they sleep deeply.
Despite what many people believe, ferrets are not rodents. In contrast to ferrets, which have a musky odor no matter how fresh they are, hamsters are adorable and clean.
You might want to keep tabs on your ferret’s development if you’re planning to adopt one or already have one. We have graphs to show you how your ferret’s health is developing, what to expect as they age, and what a good diet looks like as they get older.
Male ferret growth and size chart
Due to their dimorphic nature, ferrets’ growth rates vary depending on their sex. When they are newborns, men and females are almost the same size, but males develop quicker over the first two months and then continue to grow more after that.
Around 3 weeks old, you’ll probably start to see a difference in the growth rates of a male and a female.
| Age | Weight Range | Height Range | Length Range (w/o Tail) |
| Newborn | 8-12 g | 1” | 2-2.5” |
| 1 Week | 30 g | 1.5-2” | 2.5-3.5” |
| 2 Weeks | 60-70 g | 2-2.5” | 3.5-5” |
| 3 Weeks | 100 g | 2.5-3” | 5-8” |
| 4 Weeks | 125-200 g | 3-3.5” | 8-10” |
| 5-6 Weeks | 230-250 g | 3.5-4” | 10-12” |
| 6-8 Weeks | 400-500 g | 4-5” | 12-14” |
| 4 Months | 1000-2000 g | 4.5-5” | 14-15” |
a growth and size chart for female ferrets.
A female ferret’s growth rate starts to slow down about 3 weeks old compared to a male’s. They only gain roughly 25% more weight each week, rather than doubling it from the previous week. As they age, their growth rate slows more and more.
Male and female ferrets are typically the same height. However, because men are typically taller than women, this is where most of their extra weight originates.
| Age | Weight Range | Height Range | Length Range (w/o Tail) |
| Newborn | 8-12 g | 1” | 2-2.5” |
| 1 Week | 30 g | 1.5-2” | 2.5-3” |
| 2 Weeks | 60-70 g | 2-2.5” | 3-4.5” |
| 3 Weeks | 75-95 g | 2.5-3” | 5-7” |
| 4 Weeks | 100-150 g | 3-3.5” | 8-12” |
| 5-6 Weeks | 180-200 g | 3.5-4” | 12-12.5” |
| 6-8 Weeks | 300-500 g | 4-5” | 12.5-13” |
| 4 Months | 600-900 g | 4.5-5” | 13.5-14” |
A Ferret’s Growth Stops When?
Ferrets cease growing and achieve their adult size at about 4 months of age. Males who are fully matured should weigh 2-2.5 pounds. Typically, females weigh between 1 and 1.5 pounds. They only attain sexual maturity and can start reproducing at the age of 4 months.
If you don’t want them to breed, be ready for this stage of their lives and get them fixed. The only options to get female ferrets out of heat are to take them to the veterinarian or breed them because they can die if they remain in heat for too long. When they want to reproduce, males often become aggressive toward females, other males, and even people.
A ferret ages swiftly; at only 3 years old, they will have reached middle age. They typically have a maximum lifespan of 7 years.
How Does Ferret Growth Affect Spaying/Neutering?
Consider spaying or neutering your pets as an essential component of your ferrets’ care if you do not wish to breed them. Given that it is generally recognized to increase their lifespans, many veterinarians will give it their highest recommendation.
Females benefit greatly from spaying because, if they remain in heat, they are more likely to develop aplastic anemia. Any ferret that is three months old or older can have its sex changed medically. Jills need to be spayed as soon as possible to avoid their first season of ovulation.
Neutering a ferret at this age carries little risk of stunted growth because they are mostly through growing by the time they are 3 months old. They could have hyperadrenocorticism or an ailment of the adrenal glands, but this is conceivable at any age and is one of the few hazards associated with neutering despite its numerous advantages.
Diet for ideal growth in ferrets
Due to the fact that they are obligate carnivores, ferrets differ from other domesticated pets in another way: their nutrition.
A ferret typically prefers raw meat. Since kitten food has a significantly higher protein level than cat food, you can also offer it to them. In order to add diversity to their diet of dry food, it is preferable to give them raw meat as a supplement.
Conclusion
Even while there are growth norms, every animal is unique. Be mindful that your ferret may not necessarily be ill just because they aren’t developing at a certain rate. However, send your ferret to a vet with experience treating small animals if you suspect anything might be wrong with them.
Overall, you can help your ferrets have a healthy, long, and balanced life by providing them with a balanced food and neutering them when they are around 3 months old.
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Credit for the Featured Image: Pipsimv, Pixabay
