Ferrets are fascinating creatures belonging to the weasel family, and more specifically, the Mustelids. Interestingly, these creatures were bred for hunting rabbits and other rodents dating back 2,500 years. This fact is odd, considering that ferrets are naturally born with bad eyesight. Given this, they are forced to use their eyes much differently than most animals. Many pet ferret owners have stated that it is genuinely a concern to think about and have wondered what to do. Some owners ask, do ferrets blink? How much do they blink? Is something wrong with their eyes?
Ferrets are born with naturally lousy eyesight, and as such, it will be challenging to blink their eyes. Many owners have stated that while adorable, this action is rarely done as ferrets have to use their eyes much differently than humans do. Ferrets eyes are binocular like in terms of vision. This process gives them extensive peripheral vision, which is much greater than humans. Remember that ferrets are prey animals and a second blink in the wild may be very dangerous for a ferret. If you have experienced a ferret blinking its eyes, you are in luck. While they will not do this very often, it is undoubtedly an exciting and adorable phenomenon.
Related article: Do Ferrets Have Good Eyesight?
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Do Ferrets Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
Ferrets are very fragile creatures, and this holds when talking about their eyes. Ferrets indeed sleep with their eyes open, and this event is not uncommon for the little guys. Some ferrets are neglected or abused before an owner picks them up. This could be the reason for ferrets sleeping with their eyes closed.
There is a specific event in a ferret’s life that may concern owners while their furry pet is asleep. A lot of ferrets will go into what they call “dead sleep.” This event is very worrying to many ferret owners because you can pinch, squeeze, shake, and scream at your ferret, and they will never wake. The ferret will hang upside with their eyes closed, as limp as a ragdoll. Then they will begin sleeping so heavy it’s as if they were dead.
Remember that ferrets are prey animals and a second blink in the wild may be very dangerous for a ferret.
Are Ferrets Active At night?
As it turns out, ferrets are not more active at night. This fact may come as a surprise to some, but ferrets are crepuscular, meaning they are more active at dusk and dawn. This obviously would mean that they are not highly active at night. However, ferrets have an innate ability to adapt to their sleeping habits. Therefore, if you are putting your pet ferret to bed at a particular time every night, he will likely adjust to this routine and begin to be more active towards the day.
Since these furry creatures are crepuscular, they are more built-in line for city living than country living. Since they are active mostly at dusk and dawn, it may be worth adjusting their sleeping habits to make it easier on yourself.
Related article: “Do Ferrets Make Noise?“
Ferrets Eye Problems
Ferrets are, unfortunately, born with many eye issues and must live this way their entire lives. It is heartbreaking. However, they are adjusted to it quickly once they realize they have no other option. This issue will cause ferrets to sleep with their eyes open, see more than they would like, never be able to shut their eyes. However, ferrets are born fragile as is.
These creatures have tiny bodies that make It difficult for them to be played with, held, or moved around too much. One wrong move could very well lead to death for these creatures. So, it is essential always to be careful when handling them, as they cannot see very well and are fragile.
A ferret’s eyes are, unfortunately, affected by a disease called “uveitis.” This disease causes a penetrating wound behind a ferret’s eye. Over time, it will get infected and cause them to go permanently blind. Though this may seem frightening, it is an event that happens to most ferrets, and therefore they are quite used to it. Moving around blind for a ferret is much easier to do for ferrets than humans.
Though this disease is an unfortunate one, it is safe to assume that ferrets are still okay if this happens, and it is just a part of their natural life. However, you may get lucky, and your ferret could grow up to have excellent eyesight! It simply depends.
Related article: “How often a Guinea Pig Blink?“
Why Does My Ferret Squinting One Eye?
The most likely reason for your pet ferret squinting out of one eye is that they may have an injury. As previously mentioned, the eye problems of the ferret area extensive and require immense care. The cause of these injuries may be because your ferret was involved in scuffles with another ferret. Other reasons may be that they were biting on their cage.
You can calm this down by first seeking veterinary care where they can prescribe you ferret with proper meds. Next, it is essential to provide them with a comfortable resting area while their pain subsides and not worrying too much. Being born this way, ferrets will inevitably have some eye issues.
A ferret’s eyes are, unfortunately, affected by a disease called “uveitis.” This disease causes a penetrating wound behind a ferret’s eye. Over time, it will get infected and cause them to go permanently blind. Though this may seem frightening, it is an event that happens to most ferrets, and therefore they are quite used to it. Moving around blind for a ferret is much easier to do for ferrets than humans.
Final Thoughts
Ferrets are spectacular creatures, and while they are fragile, they have a lot to offer. Ferrets will not often be found blinking as much as they will sleeping with their eyes open or sleeping so profoundly with their eyes closed that you think they are dead. These furry creatures have very fragile and sensitive eyes that inevitably go bad after a period.
One of the main reasons for this eyesight mechanism for a ferret is the fact this creature is a prey animal and being such, over the years in the wild, it couldn’t allow even a millisecond blink which can end up very bad for him.
These creatures are always only a few inches away from death, so you must maintain their habitats well and never play too aggressive with them. If you find that your pet ferret is experiencing eye issues, it may be best to seek veterinary help as soon as possible, but remember it is not so rare for a ferret to have eyesight issues.
These creatures make for excellent and adorable pets if you can maintain them well. One should certainly consider a ferret if you are in the market for a pet!
Ferrets are nor prey animals they are very much predators. Due to there small stature they do become prey animals but by nature and structure of there bodies, diet, teeth and eye placement makes them predators.
Thanks for this info!
I’m glad someone said it, that and honestly they aren’t very fragile. Like yeah if they get caught in something or dropped it can be lethal, but you can play fairly rough w a ferret without hurting them (as demonstrated by two ferrets playing with each other)