Is It True a Female Ferret Will Die If Not Mated?

Being a ferret owner you may have been asked- is it true a female ferret will die if not mated?

Quick Answer- Yes, a female ferret will die if not mated at the right time.

So, what is the reason behind female ferret death if not mated? what happens in a female ferret body if not mated? what is female ferret heat? and more questions on female ferret mating and related will be answered.

In this article, I will share my personal experience of dealing with my female pet ferret which will be quite helpful to you.

Is it true a female ferret will die if not mated?

As answered above, yes a female ferret will die if not mated due to anemia.

Like other animals, a male and a female ferret might look similar but have different reproductive systems, heat cycles, and more.

Is it true a ferret will die if not mated? answering this question with a full explanation.

It recorded that 30% of female ferrets die if there is no male ferret during the heat period.

During the heat cycle, a female ferret produces estrogen which results in bone marrow stopping producing red blood cells which makes the ferret anemic.

Thus, if heat remains in the female ferret’s body and it can’t find a way to out through mating then there is a higher chance that the female ferret die of severe anemia.

What do ferrets do when mating?

Mating is a natural activity or process that takes between a female and a male ferret. In this, a male and a female meet sexually for reproduction.

The process of mating in ferrets can be vigorous and noisy. In mating, male ferrets grab the female ferret by the scruff of the neck and drag her near the cage.

The gestation in the mating period lasts usually for 40 to 44 days.

The reproductive system of female ferret

Unlike other female animals (like horses, and dogs), ferret females have a unique reproduction system. To understand it more clearly you must have to know the anatomy of the ferrets.

A female ferret consists of induced ovulators which means they release eggs from ovaries.

These eggs will not released until they are mated with a male ferret who bites on her neck while mating. The male biting on the female neck makes ovulation triggers which give eggs from ovaries.

The interesting thing here is, that the more biting or trauma a female ferret goes with the more eggs she releases ie more kits she gives birth to.

Here, it’s an important thing to note that pets like rabbits and cats have also induced ovultors but that lasts for a fixed time.

While, in ferrets, it keeps going on and releases estrogen in the bloodstream and causes infection. Estrogen majorly contributes to the sexual fertility of female ferrets and prepares her body for pregnancy after going through heating and mating.

So, let’s find out, is it true a female ferret will die if not mated?

How would you identify the symptoms?

If you can’t identify female ferret heat and she has gone without spray then your pet might through several complexities and infections such as:

Panleukopenia

Panleukopenia clearly shows the insufficient whits blood shells in your female pet which is responsible for infection. It can cured easily when you identify it at the right time.

Hyperoestrogenism

This you can identify when your female ferret goes through constant oestrus behavior. It clearly shows a swollen vulva and reduced appetite.

Anemia

Your female ferret suffers from anemia only because of lacking red blood cells. Pale gums, shortness of breath, reduced ability to exercise, and lethargy are the symports to identify in your ferret.

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia will occur or happen to your female ferret when she goes through lacking body platelets.

In such conditions, your ferret will suffer from things like bruising under the skin, internal body bleeding, and deficiencies of blood in the body.

In this condition, there are two ways in which your female pet can be cured. The first one is medication that stops the ovulation period and the second one is to let her be mated with a male ferret.

How do I know if my female ferret is in heat?

Probably, this is the most important thing to know as a female ferret owner.

You will be happy to know, I got the answer for you. Female ferrets (jills) come into heat or mating periods in spring and summer from March to September because day length starts increasing.

Female ferrets stay in heat for the whole period from March to September. Three things happen in such case:

• Female ferrets got into mating
• The heat period passes when days start decreasing after September
• Female ferrets die in heat when not mated

How long does a female ferret stay in heat?

The female ferret heat period lasts up to 5 months which is quite longer than other pets such as cats, rabbits, and more.

The longer duration is the major reason behind the death of female ferrets in heat. With time the intensity of heat in female ferrets keeps increasing.

In such a phase, mating or breeding becomes inevitable for ferrets. If they mate with male ferrets then it’s best and if they can’t mate then the body heat of female ferrets becomes self-destruction.

A complete mating gives ultimate happiness to ferrets (especially female ferrets) which is good for their health and reproduction system

What happens if a female ferret is not bred when she comes into heat?

An unspayed (intact) female ferret that is not mated (bred), when she comes into the heat can suffer the effects of persistently high blood levels of estrogen.

This phase in ferret females is called hyperestrogenemia or hyperestrogenism due to which many shortcomings will start showing in your ferret.

Loss of platelets, storage in the production of red blood cells, and loss of body hair, are some common things that will happen to a female ferret if not bred when she comes into heat.

All these lead to anemia in your ferret due to which female ferrets die in heat. So, as owner, you must have to take care of these thongs and make your female ferret mate on time.

What is the lifespan of a female ferret?

The cute and curious female ferret has an average life span of 5 to 7 years. The best thing is it can increase up to 10 years with proper diet, routine care, and healthy activities.

So, being a female ferret owner you can do these things to boost the lifespan of your female furry friend.

The current record for the oldest ferret is 14 years which is a great example of healthy and properly taken care of ferrets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will a female ferret die in heat?

Yes, a female ferret will die in heat if not mated.

Do female ferrets smell bad?

Yes, female ferrets will smell if they are intact and have not been spayed.

What age do ferrets start mating?

Usually, between 4 to 8 months ferrets start mating.

Can female ferrets live together?

Yes, under tight supervision and guidance

Conclusions

So, now you get the answer- is it true a female ferret will die if not mated?

Female ferret heat is a direct indication or call for mating. If you can’t mate your ferret then some major complexities happen to your pet.

During the female ferret mating period or phase, a high level of estrogen starts to be released and bone marrow starts to decrease providing red blood cells.

This leads to anemia in your ferret which can cause death to your lovely female ferret.

Still, if you have doubts or questions then feel free to comment. I will help you out.

Thanks for your time.