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He'll
steal your heart--and he'll also steal your keys
if you leave them unattended! The ever-curious,
charismatic ferret is weaseling his way into pet
owners' hearts, and some sources rank him as the
third most popular pet in America, after cats and
dogs. If it's a high-octane, playful friend you're
after--and you're prepared to put in the time and
money required--you may find the ferret to be the
ultimate pet for you.
Do Ferrets Make Good Pets?
Unfortunately,
the 'garden variety' ferret commonly kept as a companion
animal is the victim of a few major misconceptions.
For one, they are not wild animals, but a domestic
species that's been living with humans for about
2,000 years. And though this frisky fellow may have
a ratlike snout, he's no rodent--but a member of
the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels and
skunks. The domestic ferret comes in a variety of
coat colors and patterns, from silver and sable
to Siamese and cinnamon. They range in size from
a one-pound, 13-inch female to a 3 1/2-pound, 16-inch
male. A well-cared-for ferret can live 6-8 years,
and individuals reaching their 12th birthdays are
not unheard of.
What's
a ferret's favorite thing to do? Play! You won't
have to spend the whole day crawling around with
him, but your furry friend will need a minimum of
at least two hours of daily exercise out of the
cage in a safe area. You'll have to do some major
ferret proofing, as these guys can get into pretty
much anything. They can open cabinets, chew your
plants, pull up the floor vent, you name it. If
you can't engage your pet fully during playtime,
please consider keeping two or more ferrets.
Experts recommend that beginners start off with
one, and learn the ropes of litterbox training and
ferretkeeping before getting another. Yup, we said
litterbox training! They may not be as 100-percent
perfect as the fastidious feline, but ferrets can
most definitely be taught to use a litterbox.
Owning a Ferret Is a Big Responsibility
In addition to the initial cost of the animal, cage
and accessories, you must bring your pet to the
veterinarian for annual check-ups, rabies and distemper
vaccinations, and heartworm preventives. Most ferrets
sold as pets have already been spayed or neutered,
but if yours is not, he or she will have to be.
An intact female will stay in heat until she is
bred, leading to a weakened immune system and a
greater than average chance of developing life-threatening
anemia. Unneutered male ferrets mark their territory,
are very aggressive with other animals, and have
a very strong--to say the least!--odor.
Ah
yes, the smell issue. All ferrets, including altered
individuals, have scent glands located just near
the base of their tails. When scared, excited or
otherwise overstimulated, they may release a musky
smell that, luckily, quickly dissipates. While this
is not a frequent occurrence, the species also naturally
produces a musky oil throughout the skin. Some people
find it disagreeable; some people don't mind it
at all. It's best for a potential owner to fall
into the latter category, as sadly, many a ferret
has been relinquished because of odor.
Has
this fuzzy guy met your criteria so far? A ferret
may be right for you, but not for your family. In
most cases, ferrets and small children are a poor
match. These animals can be nippy and squirmy during
play--even more so with children who don't understand
how to properly behave around them. There are also
legal considerations, and laws regarding ferret
keeping, which vary around the country. In some
places, it is illegal to keep a ferret as a pet;
in others, you will need a permit. Please call your
local humane society or Fish and Game department
to find out the law where you live.
If
you're all set to bring a ferret home, we recommend
getting yours from a reputable breeder or, best
of all, adopting one from a shelter or ferret rescue
group. Search on sites like www.petfinder.com for
ferrets looking for a second chance at a good life--and
good luck with your new fuzzball!
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