The FIRST Guide to Ferrets

Thank-you for considering adopting a ferret from the Ferret Information Rescue Shelter & Trust Society. Every year many animals are purchased as pets and a disappointingly large number end up at shelters. We at FIRST do our best to find the ferrets we take in loving homes. However, it is the owner's responsibility to determine if a ferret is the correct animal for him and his lifestyle.

To this end, we have prepared this material to introduce the ferret to potential parents. Please read this information and consider the responsibility you will be taking on. Remember - Ferrets are like toddlers: Always exploring and learning, looking for attention, affection, and approbation. And like toddlers, they get into mischief, require patience, and return the love you give them many times over.

A Brief History

Ferrets belong to the Mustelidae family 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 actually the North American variant of the Siberian Polecat. Because most hunting instincts have been bred out of ferrets, they cannot survive long in the wild and therefore should be allowed outside only when on a leash and under close supervision.

General

The average life span of a ferret 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. "Albino" ferrets are white with pink eyes.

Ferrets require a dark, quiet place to sleep. The most suitable beddings are old towels, sweaters and pants in which they can roll up or bury themselves.

Ferrets are extremely curious creatures and will investigate anything and everything. This curiosity is the leading cause of premature death amongst ferrets! It is important to supervise your ferret at all times when he is at play and "ferret-proof" your home.

As with any small animal, ferrets are not recommended for homes with very young children.

Behavior

Ferrets have distinct and engaging personalities, and a playful, fastidious nature. They are latrine animals and prefer to use a specific area for this purpose, such as a litter box placed in an "out-of-sight" corner.

Their periods of greatest activity are just before sunrise and shortly after sunset. They sleep eighteen to twenty hours of the day, waking up twice a day for very active periods of about two hours.

Housing and Food

Ferrets are active animals and should not be caged unless required. If it is necessary to confine them, they should always be kept in a cage large enough to allow separate sleeping, eating, litter and play areas. A cage of 30 inches by 18 inches can house one to three ferrets comfortably for a few days or for travel. If confined for too long, clawing and gnawing at the cage occurs and dental damage is often the result.

Ferrets must be fed a basic diet of a high quality dry ferret or kitten food. They enjoy fruit or sweet vegetables such as grapes, bananas, carrots, peanut butter, etc., as treats. Dairy products, nuts or similar items which the animals may swallow whole must be avoided.

Health

Neutering/Spaying

All ferrets should be fixed or neutered before they reach sexual maturity for the following reasons: 1) Unneutered animals give off a very pungent and unpleasant smell to attract mates, and

2) once in heat, female ferrets remain so until they mate successfully. If mating does not occur, the females will succumb to aplastic anemia and die a most painful death.

Fixing the ferret reduces the animal's odour, extends its life, and increases his compatibility as a companion.

De-scenting

Relatives of skunks, ferrets also have scent glands located at the base of the tail which they can release if fighting, mating or frightened. De-scenting is a minor operation to remove these glands. To prevent an unpleasantness should your pet become frightened, consider having him descented: Properly done, this will cause him almost no discomfort.

A ferret's teeth must be checked regularly as many break their fangs when playing. This can cause excruciating pain, making the animal cranky and "bitey."

Ferrets require yearly vaccinations against canine distemper and in some areas rabies also.

Ferrets and You

If you like young children, have little household in-and-out traffic, don't mind little accidents, and are an early riser, then you will probably get along well with a ferret. They are ideal pets if you live in an apartment, have allergies, and are an early riser.

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.

What is FIRST?

The Ferret Information Rescue Shelter & Trust Society (FIRST) is a small, "hands-on" registered animal welfare society operated by volunteers. As a nonprofit society providing a community service, FIRST qualifies as a registered charity and can provide income tax deductible receipts for donations.

How does FIRST help ferrets?

Stray, neglected, or distressed ferrets are rescued and provided with complete veterinary care: inoculations, spay/neuter, descenting, surgery, and dental care. Special care is provided for psychologically stressed ("vicious") ferrets. Those too elderly or ill for adoption are fostered to homes where they can live out their lives peacefully as wards of the society.

Further, the society provides an information service to all people, organizations and businesses with an interest in ferrets; promotes proper veterinary medical care for ferrets; educates and liaises with owners, breeders and pet stores to reduce the number of mistreated, lost, and abandoned ferrets; and represents the best interests of ferrets and ferret-related groups at a provincial and local level.