Ferrets as Pets

The Family Ferret - Fast, Feisty, Furry, and Fun!

The third most common uncaged pet in North America today, after dogs and cats, is the ferret. Most people have heard tales of ferrets wherein they often are described either as a vicious weasel-like beast used for hunting rabbits and rats, or as some strange, smelly creature Englishmen tend to place down their trousers for wagers. Some people have seen ferrets in a pet store, were they are either sleeping angelically or rambunctiously rampaging about their cage with other ferret friends. But what are ferrets and what are they really like?

The origin of ferrets as a domestic animal is unclear. Ferrets belong to the weasel family (Mustelidae) and are related to mink, skunks, weasels, otters and badgers. Ferrets are the only domestic subspecies in this family and they should not be confused with the Blackfooted Ferret, an endangered species which is only distantly related. Ferrets are dry temperate climate creatures - they have a summer and winter coat, tolerate cold well but suffer when temperatures exceed 20C, and have a breeding cycle attuned to the length of day. Their closest wild relatives, those with which they can interbreed, are the European polecat and the Steppe polecat, found in Eastern European forests southwards into the Balkans and the Caucasus. The ferret's ancestors likely were encouraged as residents around granaries somewhere in the southern range of these animals 2500 or more years ago and gradually were tamed for vermin control and hunting. Thus ferrets have been associated with man not as long as dogs, but perhaps as long as cats.

The average life span of a ferret, barring accidents or serious illness, is 8-10 years. Full grown females weigh about two pounds while males are larger, generally about twice the weight of females. The most common colour variations are shades of brown, grey and black, with the mask, feet and tails being the darkest in colour. Some ferrets are white or pale yellow with black eyes, and "albino" ferrets are white with pink eyes.

It is especially important that ferrets should be spayed or neutered before they reach sexual maturity, and descenting is recommended. Females will succumb to aplastic anemia and die a most painful death if they are not spayed or if mating does not occur (Note: There is no money in breeding ferrets). Altering and descenting the ferret reduces the animal's odour, extends its life, and increases its suitability as a companion. Ferrets require semi-annual check-ups and yearly inoculations against canine distemper.

Ferrets must be fed a high quality, dry ferret or kitten food. They enjoy fruit or sweet vegetables as treats. Dairy products, grains and breads, nuts, or similar items must be avoided.

Ferrets as pets, as with any small animal, are not recommended for homes with very young children due to the excessive exuberance on both sides of the equation.

Ferrets have distinctive, engaging personalities and a playful, fastidious nature. They are active animals and should not be caged unless required, though a cage used as a "safe haven" is highly recommended. They are very gregarious and are usually happiest in groups of two or more. Ferrets are extremely curious creatures and will investigate anything and everything. Unfortunately, this curiosity is the leading cause of premature death amongst ferrets. Ferrets sleep eighteen to twenty hours of the day, waking up several times to eat, check their domain, and tend to other needs. Greatest activity pccurs during two periods of about two hours beginning just before sunrise and sunset, when they play virtually tirelessly.

Once settled in, ferrets quickly establish their territory and set the house rules: What's theirs is theirs, what's yours is up for grabs. They explore; find and make nests; select and hide treasures. Life's simple pleasures, like bags and boxes, socks (with or without feet), or any rubbery item, appeal to ferrets most. Anything that can be turned over, inside-out, or dragged off, no matter the size, is fair game. In pairs, they prance, dance, wrestle, and hunt down each other, dogs, cats, and people with gleeful chittering. They are there to inspect every activity and supervise every undertaking. A ferret's greatest delight is to outwit a human. When these tiny whirling dervishes tire, they enjoy a warm place to rest, a human lap will do, piling up in groups if possible, with angelic little smiles on their faces which belie the previous hours of mad mayhem. In nature, a ferret acts and reacts like a child of two to four years of age.

Is a ferret the right for pet for you? Before getting a ferret, research the animal: Talk to people who own them and read a variety of books about them. Ferrets are not "just like cats" and have many special needs which are not obvious to a first-time owner. For example, a ferret's high metabolism and frenetic energy makes him prone to sudden illnesses and accidents. You must have a knowledgeable vet and a reserve for emergency veterinary fees of at least $500 for such possibilities as, when seriously sick or injured, the ferret doesn't have the luxury of waiting a day for a vet's office to open. Ferrets also often suffer from broken fangs as a result of their intensive play and these need to be fixed or the animal will be in pain.

Consider your lifestyle - if you aren't home much, have children under the age of ten, don't enjoy chaos, or have a busy lifestyle which would prevent a ferret from roaming freely, then these little beasts are not for you.

However, if you like young children but have none, have little household in-and-out traffic, don't mind occassional accidents, and thrive on turmoil, then you will probably get along well with a ferret. Ferrets do not chew or claw furniture, mark territory, or make loud noises. Being indoor pets which use a litter box, they do not require daily walks in the park. They are ideal pets for apartment dwellers and most allergy sufferers.

Should you decide to parent a ferret, be a responsible owner - protect your pet and yourself by getting a ferret, or any other pet, only from a rescue organization or pet store that provides animals which are fixed and vaccinated, and provide him with proper home and veterinary care. Beware of "cheap" ferrets (less than $100 each) offered by "breeders" and pet stores: Altering and descenting costs range from $250 upwards and the ferrets from these sources, either breeding stock or offspring, only rarely have had proper handling or any medical care, making them untrusting of humans, and likely carriers of parasites and genetic defects.

If you can provide for a ferret's needs, you will have a wonderful, loving, furry, little companion who lives his life to its fullest and will help you enjoy your own even more.