How much do ferrets sleep?

• Why do ferrets sleep a lot? These animals have a very fast metabolism and a hyperactive lifestyle. If the ferret does not sleep, he will certainly move: he studies the territory, runs, plays with the owner or relatives, conquers obstacles, etc. All this requires a lot of energy, which the ferret just draws in a dream. Thus, for 2 hours of wakefulness, the pet has 4 hours of sleep. The more active the ferret, the more soundly it sleeps!
• How many hours a ferret sleeps per night depends on many factors. First of all, these are climate, molting, stress, diet, age, physiological characteristics, health status, etc. For example, young ferrets sleep less than adult relatives and absolutely all ferrets sleep less in summer than in winter. The approximate sleep rate for an adult ferret is 18 hours per night. Don’t be surprised if your ferret sleeps even more during the cold season!

If your pet is very lethargic all the time and sleeps around the clock, be sure to show it to a specialist.

• In nature, predators are nocturnal. But domestic ferrets can sleep both day and night. Most often, they adapt to the regime of the owners, because. love to talk to them.
• Some ferrets can sleep with their eyes open. This is fine!
• Sleeping ferrets may not respond to sounds or even touch. Sometimes it’s impossible to wake them up. Inexperienced owners are frightened by this state of the pet: what if he lost consciousness, fell into a coma or died? Don’t worry, there is no reason to panic! If the ferret sleeps like a log, everything is fine with him!
• Ferrets can fall asleep right where Morpheus’s spell caught them: whether it’s a soft bed, a cold floor, or even a washing machine. That is why it is very important to keep your pet in sight and keep an eye on his resting places. There are many cases when the owners did not notice the sleeping ferrets and they were seriously injured.  
• After sleeping, the ferret may shiver. Don’t worry, he’s not cold. This is how the thirst for activity manifests itself! A few minutes after waking up, the shaking will stop.

• Make sure that the ferret has several places to sleep at the same distance from each other. Let it be beds or imitation holes. Your pet will be grateful to you, because when it starts to “knock down”, it will “fall down” in a cozy place!
• A ferret that has fallen asleep in an inappropriate place (for example, in a draft or a cold windowsill) should be taken to a bed. He probably won’t even feel it!
• During your pet’s waking hours, try to spend as much time with him as possible! Active games and contact with the owner are necessary attributes of a happy life for a ferret. Do not worry, you will certainly have time to finish your business when your pet goes to bed again.

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