A Day in the Life of a Zookeeper

A Day in the Life of a Zookeeper
Ever wonder what its like to share your world with a bunch of crazy critters? Tune in to find out!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Hit By A Bus Series - Post 2

Clooney is the focus for this Hit By A Bus post.  He doesn't require too much care.  The big thing is keeping him out of things he should not be into.

Food - Clooney eats the cat food mostly and occasionally snacks on dog food.  Both are approved diets by the vet.  He requires a supplement that helps with dry skin - its called Ferretone and he loves it.  He thinks its a treat. I give him a puddle squirted on the kitchen floor every day - probably about a tablespoon.  As far as treats go - he also gets 1 stick each day.  These are small rawhide ferret chews and he loves them.  They can be purchased online or at pet smart.

Its really important to make sure he has access to water at all times - his metabolism is fast!

Clooney will sleep about 18 hours a day.  He gets picked up and loved on multiple times a day and he needs the interaction with his humans to be happy.  He is a poopy little creature and clean up is required at times for accidents that happen.

He has a toy - it is a stuffed cow and he loves it.  He has had it since his first day with me and if something happened to me - he needs his cow.  I wish whomever has to look for it - lots of luck - start in the office room, then the master closet, if still no - then under the bonus room couch - then after that - all bets are off.

Sometimes he is hard to find - using a paper or plastic bag and making lots of noise with it will usually get him to come out.  He is pretty good about coming when he is called.

He loves Oliver and the two of them should not be separated.  They play often and rough - Oliver does get irritated and will pick Clooney up by the scruff.  I don't let him do this because I am worried he will hurt the ferret so prepare to holler at the boy kitty.

Clooney loves granola bars, cereal bars and fig newtons - non of which he should be allowed to have.  He will steal candy - not great for him.  He is a hoarder and will steal small items.

Sometimes Clooney gets a hair ball and hacks - I give him a small 1 inch ribbon on honey on my finger for this - he loves it.  Honey has a natural antihistamine and fixes him right up.  This should be used very sparingly as ferrets  can develop diabetes - known as insulinoma.

Vet visits - 1 - 2 times a year.  Emergency visits sometimes necessary  based on dietary indiscretion like red licorice.

He does need toenail trims every 3 - 4 weeks.  Nigel needs his toes cut as well - I don't think I put that in his post.  Clooney has not been bathed in forever - he doesn't really need it unless he gets into something and it dries his skin so I try to only do this on an as needed basis.

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