by Martine Pauwels

Created on: December 29, 2009   Last Updated: December 30, 2009

Ferrets are amazing creatures that have been kept as hunting pets for centuries, but are just recently discovered as house mates.

There are a lot of misconceptions about them, that wannabe owners have to keep in mind, since unfortunately a lot of these great animals end up in shelters or life threatening situations because their owners lack knowledge.

1) Introduction

What is really striking is that in many animals stores they are still sold as rodents. They are not.

Ferrets are carnivores and have the natural instinct to kill rodents.

They are related to weasels and tragic events of people housing them in a cage with a rabbit did occur.

Also do they eat meat and need a special diet.

2) Male or female

On average the males are much larger than females, but do have a more calm temperament. There are exceptions. Some females do grow large and some males may remain small.

A thing you must know about females is that when in heat, they remain in heat, till they they mate and get a litter or they might get anemic and die. Best thing for the pet's health is to neuter when you do not want to breed.

The males do smell when not fixed.

Having glens removed like often done in some countries like the US, is not needed and illegal in some countries.

Most ferrets bought in American stores are already neutered, but not in some countries. Also knowing how ferrets can behave during puberty, a young adult might be more recommendable for a novice owner than a pup.

3) Check if they are legal in your area

In some states of the US they are not allowed.

4) Health issues

Ferrets easily get ill. Their normal life expectancy is between five and twelve years, but five is more common. They are the kind of pets that might require lots of expensive medical care.

Best inform by vets or ferret organisations when you want to adopt one.

5) Colors

You have a large variety in color and patterns. In many cases this does not tell a thing about health issues, but keep in mind that badger pattern ferrets often get born deaf.

6) Housing

Ferrets are quite active critters that need a place to roam. Do not put them in small cages. A ferret cage can never be too small and best is when you can have the animal running free in the house.

In the cage they need a drinking bottle, a litter box, food and last but not least a hammock to sleep in.

7) Dangers

Ferrets are very curious animals and are also very agile. You really have to make sure there is no hole they can get trapped in, no electricity wire they can bite in or nothing else they can hurt themselves with.

Please inform about that since many ferrets died in accidents around the house.

8) Company

Ferrets need a lot of attention and an easily become bored. You need to spend a lot of time with them and often having more than one can be more joy.

They are sensitive creatures that attach easily and when one dies, the other might die in grief.

9) Training

Yes, ferrets do tend to bite as a form of communication, same as their "mocking" when they are happy. That is why they need to be trained to control their teeth on us.

Also do pups need litter box training.

10) Pets

They might along with other pets, like cats and dogs. But considering their nature it is not wise to leave them unattended with no matter what other animal.

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