http://www.care2.com/greenliving/want-a-ferret.html
Want a Ferret?
I was surprised to learn recently that ferrets are considered domestic animals. I mean, I knew that people kept them as pets, but I didn’t realize that ferrets (unlike their cousins: otters, weasels, badgers and skunk) are not considered wild animals since they have lost all of their wild instincts as well as the ability to survive in the wild. In fact, if one gets loose, it will not survive for more than a few days on its own.
I also have always thought of ferrets as “exotic”–wrong again. While many pet stores classify ferrets as exotics, the definition of an exotic pet is a pet whose species can be found in the wild. Because there are no wild colonies of ferrets, to call ferrets exotic is incorrect. Ferrets are “companion animals” just as cats and dogs are. Ferrets can make great pets and are super loving, but just like with any type of pet, they are not for everyone.
Ferrets are quiet and affectionate like cats, but playful and interactive like dogs. Their size makes them a good option for people with small homes or apartments. And since they are hypoallergenic, they can also be a good option for those with pet allergies.
Much of the ferret’s charm comes from their curious, mischievous nature; but they can injure themselves if their surroundings haven’t been ferret-proofed. Somewhat surprisingly, ferrets generally get along with cats and dogs–cats and ferrets can actually become frolicsome playmates! (Although terrier dog breeds might be a problem since they were developed to hunt rabbits, rats and foxes–you can see the potential problem there.)
Ferrets are so undeniably cute, but is it the right pet for you? I found these 10 questions to determine one’s ferret-ability at Rocky’s Ferret Rescue:
1. Have you done your research; spoken and visited with ferret owners or local shelter?
2. Have you read about the housing, nutritional, exercise and medical needs of the ferret?
3. Are you ready to make a long-term commitment to the love and care of your ferret, knowing that a ferret has a potential life-span of 15 years?
4. Are you prepared to feed your ferret quality ferret food?
5. Are you prepared to visit the vet once a year for vaccinations and check-up?
6. If you rent, are you allowed to have a ferret?
7. Are their other animals in your house that could threaten or be threatened by a ferret? These could be terrier breeds and large and/or aggressive dogs.
8. Are there existing pets that could be harmed by a ferret? These could be rabbits, kittens, snakes and amphibians.
8. Can you spend one to three hours a day nurturing and supervising the exercise and playtime of your ferret?
9. Are there children under 5 years old in your home or are you planning a family?
10. Can you ferret-proof your house?
If you answered yes to all 10, maybe you’re ready to provide a loving home for an abandoned ferret. Rather than support a pet store, use this directory to find a local ferret shelter and adopt a ferret.
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19 comments
add your comment »i find it funny that people keep ferrets as pet :D I just feel that ferrets are wildanials, not aspets
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if i had a ferret i would call it steve mcqueen.
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Excellent article!
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We have had 5 ferrets counting to 2 we have now. Yes, they can be stinky but keeping the cage and bedding clean helps a lot. They get baths, but only every 2 months or so. I find if they get upset they tend to emmit more ordor. Mine are used to it being fairly quiet and when the grand kids come over, if they get rowdy, I notice they smell more.(not the kids, the ferrets,lol) My main trouble is, these guys want to go in the corner OVER the corner where thier liter box is. I have tried everything I can think of to get them to stop. But you learn to adapt. ;-)
I clean the liter box and wipe out the cage everyday. I feed them good food(which can be expensive, $20.00 for 4 lbs) they get raisins and half of a grape or a tiny slice of avacado for a special treat everyday. Lots of work, but when they entertain you as much as they do, so worth it. They are funny little critters.
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Lily,
If you still have your two little ferrets, do you have any rooms in your house that do not have carpet in them? My ferrets and I are currently living with my parents for the year and they have hard wood floors and carpet in alot of the house. The kitchen and dining room is all tile though so I close the doors to this area and that's where my ferrets get to run around and play. To have them in balls is nothing like when they are running around and loose. One of the ways they have their most fun is by wrestling with each other and chasing one another through dryer hose tubes. If you have an area like this I would highly recommend letting them loose there as I'm sure they would have alot of fun. Just make sure the dish washer, fridge, oven etc are ferret proofed as I have one that has been in the lining of my oven at a rental appartment for 4 hours with me banging on the outside :)
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In addition to Anna's comment - yes, ferrets are prone to medical problems, and the cost of buying a ferret is just a small amount compared to the overall cost of maintenance. Too many people buy on impulse, don't take care of them properly, and sadly a lot are turned over to shelters. Ferrets are not rodents or pocket pets, they are strict carnivores and were domesticated before the cat. They are not caged animals, you only cage them for their protection and need at least four hours out of the cage daily. I personally do not cage mine. They are naturally inquisitive and curious, their natural instinct for burrowing they will get into everything and anything they can. They crave and seek human interaction. They are not appropriate pets for families with children. As for the smell, don't bathe them, unless they get into something that warrants a bath. Bathing strips oils from their skin, to compensate will produce more oil and making them smell more. Keep litter box clean and bedding washed. They are naturally clean animals, and will groom themselves. Most ferret foods are not good, avoid any that list fish as an ingredient (Marshall Farms ferret food is modified mink diet) that makes them smell. They lack a cecum and appendix and cannot digest fruits, grains or vegetables. Proper care is the key to a healthy and happy ferret.
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I love articles like this. Thanks Care2!
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Nai Ki- we just bought this new house so... I don't exactly feel safe doing even that. I will however, put them in their balls and let them run. But thank you for the advice.
I have no idea how old these two are. Not a clue. I'm not sure if the person I got them from knows either. When I got them....The cage hadn't been cleaned in WEEKS and I found maggots.They also didn't have much water and no food. I took them out, cleaned their entire cage with a light bleach/water solution, got a new type of "litter" that works amazing. Top of the line food with vitamins...and looked them over front to back, top to bottom for any signs of disease or extra maggots. (I've been at the operating table pulling maggots out of bunnies and they die.) Luckily, nothing of the sorts was found. They were in dire conditions, but now that they are here with me they seem to be thriving. I hope it continues. Does any one know how to tell how old they are without having to take them in for an eye exam? (this is how we figure out how old animals are if teeth are insufficient.)
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One should also note that many ferrets tend to have significant medical problems. For example, my boy, by the time he was only 1-1/2 yrs. old was diagnosed with insulinoma (after having a seizure), and later an enlarged spleen. One of my girls (she passed away last month at the geriatric age of 8) had been battling adrenal disease for most of her life. And my other girl had lymphoma (she passed 3 months ago at age 7ish). My point: As we all know, ferrets are adorable, intelligent and wonderful, great pets... However, probably due to in-breeding and all kinds of greedy, evil "ferret-farm" tactics, many have a genetic predisposition for a serious life-threatening disease. One SERIOUSLY needs to evaluate whether or not they have the funds and time available for ongoing vet/medical treatment, because the chances of your ferret having symptoms of a disease or a diagnosis of one, is enormous. Luckily for me and my babies, I had the funding, but the harsh reality is that if you don't have the money/or time for, then it isn't worth your time nor their time/life. Everyone I know who has had a ferret had some life-threatening/altering disease by around age 2-1/2 or 3. Most of these owners were unable to maintain paying for the expensive medicine and/or the frequent vet visits... it's just rotten - for both the owners and the ferrets. Please, do a TON of research prior to your decision and don't just get one cuz they're cute!
(I'm sorry for putting a damper on the forum... :P)
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Lily G - Ferrets have a tendency to always poop in the same places. Mine always go to the same 2 corners of my house to poo. Instead of trying to train them to go somewhere else, i just put a litter pan down into the 2 fave poo spots. Not had to clean up ferret poo scince (and ive had ferrets for years n years now ^^).
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