I rescued a young ferret (about 2 months old) from an obscure pet store who had no business of keeping them. The conditions were terrible, one medium water bottle per 20 ferrets and they were all panting because it was upwards of 90 degrees. They were feeding them the Marshall mush which was probably over a day old by the looks of it, so I couldn't leave him in there. I took him home and he's a very active little guy the only problem is he whimpers quite a bit. And squeaks when he's lonely. (I have two other adult ferrets who have taken him in as a child it seems) I switched him to purina one heathy kitten formula which was recommended to me by my local ferret sanctuary, both of my ferrets eat with with no problem and have heathy bms, my new one on the other hand has very soft bms and occasionally whimpers when he goes. I want to assume it's his body adjusting to the high fat/protein diet change instead of the carb loaded food he was on. He's very active and playful all other times and sleeps just fine it's only when he relieves himself, anyone have any advice? 

Hello and Welcome to the forum! Part of it could be his system adjusting to the new food. Are you still softening his food? It's been a while since I've had one that young to remember how long to soften their food. I would ask them at the sanctuary about the whimpering when going potty. Might not hurt to do a vet visit.

 
Fuzzbutts Rule!

I am not still softening his food actually he's about the same age that I took my ferrets off softened foods but I didn't think of that, that could be it I wonder if his body is having problems softening it in his tummy. My normal vet is open tomorrow so if he still is having problems in going to take him, he's no longer whimpering while going potty but it's still soft and frequent. 

Hi and welcome.
I'm not sure I understand.  I've never seen more that 5 ferrets in a pet store.  This obscure store has over 20?  Are you in UK?

If not, and conditions there are that bad, you may want to call your city or county animal control department.  I know ferrets are treated differently in UK than they are here, but no one should be allowed to mistreat critters.


I have only experienced the whimpering from older ferrets. It could be the diet change, but if it continues a vet visit should be scheduled.  It's never a bad idea to vet.  

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

Actually I'm in Texas, I was visiting my sister in Houston and she took me to the pet store where she gets her sugar glider food and when I saw them in there like that I knew. Something was wrong they were very persistent on telling me they had a 1 year warranty by marshals  and when I questioned the condition of the ferrets they were rude and abrasive on telling me they "know what they're doing" I called a ferret sanctuary that I know of in Houston and let them know and said he was going to send someone out to investigate and he will let me know asap. It was an exotic pet store that sold anything from ferrets to reptiles, Prarie dogs and so on 

Just curious. What sanctuary are you dealing with. I have Facebook friends who have Ferret Rescues/Sanctuaries. 

 
Fuzzbutts Rule!

The San Antonio ferret enthusiast 

*update* he is doing a lot better now , I softened his food and he hasn't whimpered since when he relieves himself and his bus are going more solid but are still very soft

Good job.  Nothing like a ferret rescue to stir the pot.

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

The two I know in Texas are Frisky Buziness and Texas Ferret Lovers. 

 
Fuzzbutts Rule!