Why Do Ferrets Randomly Lay Down? Explained All Reasons

Have you ever noticed, why do ferrets randomly lay down?

Well, ferrets are inquisitive and socially active creatures. They like to explore new things in front of them and love being around other animals and human beings.

But, as a ferret owner, if you’re wondering why does my ferret randomly lay down? It can happen during play or meal time.

The reasons behind your furry friend’s laying are not as simple as they seem. It could differ based on the health of your pet, ferret personality, environment, foods, and more.

In this article, You will know, why ferrets randomly lay down. What are the main reasons behind ferret lay down and more?

So stay tuned till the end.

Why do ferrets randomly lay down?

As mentioned above ferrets are curious creatures so they always like to play, run, and engage with new things. Due to this they run out of energy and lie down to pretend they are invisible.

If you are worried about, why does my ferret randomly lay down?

Then I will say there are times when your worry is right for the random laying of your furry friend. Also, there are times when your worry is unnecessary.

So, keep reading to know the differences between these two occasions.

The other time when your pet lays down is after having meals they do seek for a nap which is fine. Laying down in such cases is completely fine and this is part of the ferrets living.

The other major reason for ferret laying is when your pet is in pain and is unable to express so they lay down more often.

But, if you notice your furry friend is laying down more often then it’s a red flag. In such a case, you need to check it for a veterinarian, because your pet might have serious health problems.

Now, I believe you got the answer- why does my ferret randomly lay down?

Why do ferrets suddenly lay down?

If your ferret is suddenly laying down, it clearly shows your pet is having some serious health issue. And you can’t be ignorant in such a case.

Ferrets are so flexible that they can lay down suddenly at various positions. This is a plus point for your pet.

Sudden lay down conveys that your pet is having a problem that makes him/her unable to stand, run, or even play. And there could be various reasons behind it.

More often you will notice that your ferret lay flat. Flat lying of ferret usually happens when your pet has overeating or even after regular meals.

You need to check with a veterinarian to identify the exact cause for your ferret’s sudden lay down.

Mentioning all possible reasons behind the sudden lay down of your furry friend.

• Common cold
• Excess body heating
• Adrenal disease
• Nutritional disease
• Irregular digestion

These are the most common and major reasons which affect a ferret’s body badly. Due to this, they lay down suddenly.

Why does my ferret lay flat?

Usually, a ferret lay flat when seeking a break from play, tired of play or a toy has been taken away. This behavior of your toy is completely fine.

So, if you are wondering- why is my ferret laying flat? The above could be the reason. Ferrets lay flat on the floor with heads down and legs pointed towards the ceiling or sky.

But if your ferret is laying more often then, there is an issue with your pet.

If your furry friend lies down after one hour of play or exploration and sleeps more than 18 hours then you need to check on him/her.

How to stop the ferret from laying flat?

To stop your ferret from laying down you need to first identify the exact reason.

Your ferret may not stimulated enough, be bored of food, or dislike company and surroundings. The other major reason could be pain, illness, or emotional stress.

For identifying the inactive and random flay lay down of ferret you start with checking appetite and lethargy. If it didn’t work out then contact your vet immediately.

What are the signs of depression in ferrets?

Usually, ferrets are happy and active pets and love around humans and other animals. They are high in energy, but like any animal, they also might get stressed and fall into depression.

There could be various reasons and signs of depression in ferrets depending upon various circumstances.

Primarily, three major reasons cause depression in your ferrets which are:

Change of owner

Like any pet ferrets get stressed and uncomfortable when their owner suddenly changes and they have to live in a new environment.

The effect of change in owner indeed lasts for a short period but, in some cases depending on the personality of ferrets it gets serious.

In case of a change of owner, ferret start showing depression symptoms like living alone, not eating fully, feeling low all the time, and more.

So, you need to contact a ferret veterinarian before anything serious happens.

Change of owner is a high reason for the question, why do ferrets randomly lay down?

Absence of engagement

As mentioned earlier ferrets are a social animal and even more than other pets like cats and dogs.

When they are left on their own without any human or other animal environment, they start feeling lonely which leads them into serious depression.

Lack of care

If you’re not giving proper time to your ferret it causes in to do many things like your pet may start skipping food, start feeling low, and have irritating behavior.

The lack of care is one of the top reasons for depression in your ferrets. So, when you own a ferret you give enough time.

Then comes how you identify that your furry friend has started having depression.

With my experience and veterinary consultation, here are major signs of depression in ferrets.

• Your pet ferret stares at you
• Frequent shyness and hiding
• Skipping meals or eating lesser
• Bitting and scratching at the cage
• Decreased in physical activities

How do you cheer up a sad ferret?

If your ferret isn’t active much and has less energy.

As a ferret owner, it’s your responsibility to cheer up your sad ferret and maintain his/her energy level.

There are various things you can do to uplift your ferret. They are below

• Treat your ferret with his/her favorite food
• Be around your furry friend and participate in playing
• Take your pet for a walk to change in the surrounding
• Don’t keep your friend in the cage for a longer period

However, it’s important to note that, if your ferret is ill then, consult your veterinarian rather than performing these above activities.

How do I know if my ferret is stressed?

I have mentioned the reasons and signs of depression in your ferret. Here, mentioning how to identify your pet’s stress.

Following are signs that indicate your furry friend could stressed:

1. Hissing
2. Hiding
3. Fleeing
4. Biting
5. Screaming

However, it is not absolute that shows ferret depression symptoms. For surety, contact your ferret veterinarian.

How do you know if a ferret is dehydrated?

Like any animal and human being, ferrets also need ample and clean water to live healthily.

Dehydration can cause some serious health issues for your pet. So, always make sure your furry friend is having enough water with each meal.

Unfortunately, if ever your ferret gets dehydrated then how you will figure out it? You don’t need to worry, I’m mentioning all possible signs to know whenever your ferret is lacking water in its body.

• Dull eyes
• Excessive squinting and a decrease in urine
• Weakness
• Exhaust and restlessness

If you notice these things in your furry friend then you need to confirm dehydration in your pet.

To check, you can poke gently on the back of your pet. If the skin is back to its original position soon after the poke then your ferret isn’t dehydrated.

And if the skin takes a few seconds to get back to its original position then your ferret is dehydrated.

What to do when a ferret dies?

As a ferret owner, you try your best that your pet never dies in front of you. But, the life of any living thing isn’t in our control.

The reason for the death could be anything like overage, health issues, and so on.

Unfortunately, if your lovely pet ferret dies, then first consult a veterinarian to confirm it. After confirmation put your ferret in comfortable clothes.

Then dig a enough length and breadth hole in the ground to bury your lovely friend. You can choose the location for burial according to your comfort and availability.

Saying goodbye to your lovely furry friend will be hard for you, but you have to do it anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do ferrets calm down when they get older?

Ferrets of age 2 or older calm down more easily than younger ferrets.

What do ferrets do when they are sad?

A sad ferret spends time alone. They may also slouch, flatten themselves out, and sigh.

What age is a ferret considered old?

A ferret over five years is considered old.

Do ferrets like being held?

Yes, ferrets like to be held by humans, but if they’re hurt or scared they might bite.

Conclusion

I believe your question, why do ferrets randomly lay down? has been answered.

There could be various reasons behind the sudden laying of your ferret. Your pet may be in pain, out of energy, feeling lonely, and more. So, you can check for these reasons.

For better and quicker you should contact the ferret veterinarian.

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