Ferrets are an interesting and exciting breed of animal that, like humans, have differing personalities depending on their environment and the nature they come by at birth. Acquiring these animals is acquiring live entertainment for their lifetime and a heart full of love and affection, as well. Even though each ferret is individual in their specific nature, there are some attributes that run through the breed typically, with only slight variances.
*PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The ferret has a long, slender body atop short legs and tiny, clawed feet. The typical weight for an adult ferret is three to four pounds. The face is elongated with a pointy nose and small eyes and ears. The teeth of the ferret are extremely sharp, meant for tearing meat, as they are carnivores by nature. Colors of the coat vary between black, gray, brown and white, or with combinations of all of these hues. There are some ferrets that are pure white with the red eyes that signifies they are an albino, lacking color pigments. The ferret is a cousin to the weasel and shares many of the same characteristics on a smaller scale. With a life expectancy of approximately seven to ten years, the ferret will have plenty of time to become a much-loved part of your family.
*PERSONALITY
Ferrets are extremely playful, even as adults, but also require a great deal of sleep (approximately eighteen hours per day) to maintain their activity level. They are very social animals and do not enjoy being left alone when they are awake. If they are unhappy and needing attention, the ferret will let out a cry that is shrieking and incessant until their needs are met. Especially the younger ferret will be wiggly and squirmy if you are trying to keep them still. They have little desire to be cuddled in their younger years, but full-grown ferrets may indeed allow you to snuggle with them, happily sleeping with you and relaxing in your arms.
The ferret is an intelligent animal that will easily be litter-box trained and leash-trained. They may even learn a few simple tricks and commands. Their intelligence also makes them amazing escape artists and thieves. They will steal everything they can to hoard away somewhere for later entertainment. The ferret will burrow and love to find small spaces to hide out in, so they do require an owner who will be quite attentive to them when they are out of the cage. An unsupervised ferret will not only get into all the trouble they can, but they may also get injured.
*CARE AND HYGIENE
The ferret has scent glands that produce a musky odor when excited or upset. Extreme emotion will cause the odor to be unleashed with an intensity, but even in an unaroused state, there is a faint smell that some people find rather offensive. In the United States, any ferret that is sold as a pet must be de-scented by law. Even de-scented, however, the ferret has a distinct scent and requires care to maintain proper hygiene. He or she should be bathed regularly with a deodorizing shampoo specifically for the breed. Nails must be clipped and ears kept clean.
The home of the ferret must also be cleaned and sanitized regularly, at least twice per week, to keep odor at a minimum. The litter box should be cleaned thoroughly, as well as their sleeping quarters, usually a hammock. Food and water bowls should also be cleaned well, just as you would want your own to be.
Ferrets do require quite alot of time and attention from their owners, if they are to have happy and healthy lives. The ferret is not the right pet for everyone, and is usually not suitable for a young child, but for those who fall in love with these little critters, there is no replacement. Their playfulness, mischievous character, and intelligence make it easy to see why some people will accept no other pet.