Help! Adopted a one year old and want to make sure she's healthy!

Hello! We decided we wanted to get a ferret and then after some bad experiences recently with our local large chain pet store I was a little hesitant to get one from there. We found a couple looking to get rid of their one year old female because she required so much attention and they didn't have the time to give it to her so she was stuck in her cage most all of the time. 

She's super sweet and she appears healthy but as I've been reading to help ensure she's healthy it seems there's a lot they've been doing that may not have been so good for her. I will be taking her to the vet this week for a formal check up. But had some questions now until she can get in. 

Litter: they are using clumping cat litter...will it be hard for me to transition her over to plant based litter? And looking at the trays in her cage I don't think she was very well trained anyhow so will be looking for tips on that!! Hoping it will go ok given she's a lil older.

Diet: they feed her a dry kibble which seemed to be reasonable and mostly protein and fat based but then they said she loves sweets and they give her things like strawberry jelly and other treats. When we came to get her she was shaking which I thought was because she was maybe frightenened or excited to be outside, but now I'm worried it could've been low sugar (though we took her home with us 45 min drive and she played long before eating once we did get her home so I would think if low sugar the shaking would've continued until she got food!) anyways I'd like to start transitioning her to a natural meat diet, and wondered if anyone had tips. 

My daughter just recently lost her bearded dragon probably from her being sold way too young per our vets concern and her getting an infection and too young to fight it off. She's instantly bonded with our furry friend so really want to do everything possible to assure she's healthy! 

>Litter: they are using clumping cat litter...will it be hard for me to transition her over to plant based litter?


It should not be a problem.  I use wooden pellets for my litter boxes.


 >And looking at the trays in her cage I don't think she was very well trained anyhow so will be looking for tips on that!! Hoping it will go ok given she's a lil older. 
Leave some poop in the litter box, so that she knows that is the potty area.
Diet: they feed her a dry kibble which seemed to be reasonable and mostly protein and fat based but then they said she loves sweets and they give her things like strawberry jelly and other treats. 


Sweets are not good for ferrets.  May cause health problem in the future.   I give my kids, no grain meat cat treats, duck soup/chicken soup.  This is whole chicken cooked up in water then  blended in a blender.  Much healthier treat and if you have to give meds.  It's easier to put the meds into the soup for them.


>When we came to get her she was shaking which I thought was because she was maybe frightenened or excited to be outside, but now I'm worried it could've been low sugar (though we took her home with us 45 min drive and she played long before eating once we did get her home so I would think if low sugar the shaking would've continued until she got food!) anyways I'd like to start transitioning her to a natural meat diet, and wondered if anyone had tips.  

She may of been shaking if she just woke up.  They lower their body temperature when they sleep.  She may of been bring her body temperature up.

For more natural diet check out the holistic Ferret forum.  They will help you out in transition into a raw diet.  http://holisticferret60.proboards.com/ I hope this helps.  I am sure others will give you more ideas.  Any questions, please feel free to ask. 


Congratulations on your new baby.

Hello and Welcome to the forum!

 
Fuzzbutts Rule!