Your new ferret has grooming needs just like humans. Since ferrets have become so popular as pets, some professional groomers are willing to groom ferrets. Some ferret parents decide to do the grooming themselves. (Though, there is no shame in taking him to a groomer if you find you really don't want to do this!)

If you choose to do the grooming yourself, here are some recommendations. Start with the ears since this tends to be one of the two hardest parts of taking care of a ferret. It is best to have someone who can help you can clean his ears. Your assistant can firmly, yet gently, take one of his hands, grasping the ferret around the shoulders and forelegs. In his other hand he'll be holding a treat, using it to distracting your furry friend while his ears are being cleaned.

The first thing you'll notice is that the ferret's ears are small. Plan to clean his ears with a cotton tip swab and an ear-cleaning solution that is made specifically for either ferrets or for kittens. Dip the tip of the cotton swab into the solution and then squeeze off the excess. Be careful not to go deep into the canal with the swab, just gently just clean the folds of the outer ear and its base. Be sure to remove all the dirt from the small "pocket" at the back of his ear. That's basically all there is to it.

Your ferret also has a set of nails, that need to be trimmed about once every two weeks. But this schedule isn't written in stone, nail growth varies from ferret to ferret. When clipping the nail, you need to be make sure you do not clip the red vein that travels through the nail because it will bleed. If you are not sure how to cut the nails, ask your veterinarian to show you what to do.

Another thing you need to know about a ferrets care is that your ferret can get hairballs, just like cats. But if you brush them often, you can keep the hairballs to a minimum and but possibly avoid them altogether. And make it a habit to especially brush him during the shedding season. This is when he is at his highest risk of acquiring those nasty hairballs.

As with humans, your ferrets teeth also need to be brushed. Yes, you really need to brush your ferret's teeth. I'm sure this does not seem like a very pleasant prospect for you or your ferret, but hopefully the two of you can come to a truce. Now, having just told you that, I have to say that it actually impossible to brush his teeth. The best you can hope to do is to put some toothpaste on your finger, and rub it onto the ferret's teeth. Yeah! I know, sounds like a cop-out but it does get some of that grime off his teeth. And since he can't brush his own teeth, it is better than nothing.

You're well on your way to becoming a first rate ferret parent! You've got the basics now.