You've
had cats and dogs, and you may even be familiar with
one or more varieties of little critters, like hamsters,
rats and guinea pigs. We'll tell you right off the
bat--ferrets aren't like any of these species. Domesticated
about 2,000 years ago, the inquisitive, intelligent
ferret can make a great playmate for the right person.
Through an understanding of what makes your little
guy tick, you can better meet his needs--and strengthen
the bond between you in the process!
Complete Ferret Information for Loads of Fun
What's
your ferret's favorite thing to do? Play! This entails
not only running and tumbling, but exploring, digging
and chewing any object in his path. As a responsible
ferret owner, you'll have to ensure that your pet
has at least two hours of daily playtime in a SAFE,
SECURE area. Keep electrical cords, garbage cans
and poisonous plants out of your pet's reach, and
make sure he doesn't have access to areas where
dangerous chemicals, appliances and cleaning items
are stored. Keep in mind that your little guy can
worm his way into an opening as small as two inches
in diameter, so please block any holes under refrigerators
and cabinets. And did you know that ferrets can
easily open drawers and floor vents, and have been
known to burrow through the bottoms of couches and
beds? And now that there's a ferret in your home,
you'll need to take extra care when walking during
your pet's playtime. These guys are fast and quiet,
and can easily get underfoot--or settle in for a
snooze underneath the cushion you're just about
to sit on!
It
may take awhile for you to figure out what your
ferret's trying to tell you. Most fuzzballs don't
make much noise, but you may hear yours clucking--also
called chuckling--now and then. This means your
pet is happy and excited, and should not be confused
with the high-pitched screech, an indicator of pain,
fright or anger. And when a ferret hisses, he's
letting you know that he's annoyed or angry.
Domestic Ferrets & Body Language
Your
pet speaks loud and clear with his body language,
too. For starters, it is normal for ferrets to tremble
upon waking--this raises their body temperatures--and
when excited or frightened. Your little guy also
knows not one, but two dances. The first, performed
by very happy ferrets, involves movement in all
directions, with a few hops, twists and sashays
thrown in here and there. He may arch his back,
which is also a key move in the dance he performs
when he's angry. You will know the difference, though,
as the latter includes screeching and hissing with
an open mouth. Take care when approaching and handling
such a ferret--any animal may bite when scared,
angry or otherwise threatened.
The
species does have a reputation for biting, and it
is true that ferrets can be nippy and squirmy during
play. This is perfectly normal, particularly with
young ferrets--just as it is with puppies and kittens.
And as with dogs and cats, you will simply need
to teach your pet ferret that biting is not an acceptable
behavior. Experts recommend that you don't just
put your pet down after a nip--that's what he wants,
after all!--but firmly tell him "No!"
and put him in his cage. You may have to do this
several times, but he will soon learn that biting
puts an end to playtime and attention from you.
It's also a smart idea to help channel his nipping
tendencies by offering him safe, hard chew toys,
and please don't confuse your fuzzball by allowing
him to play-bite your hand--no matter how cute you
think it is!
Many
negative behaviors exhibited by ferrets are caused
by boredom. Some animals may resort to digging in
their litterbox--and flinging the contents every
which way--when cooped up in their cage. Remember
that your ferret needs daily playtime in a safe,
stimulating environment and lots of attention from
you to remain happy. If you can't engage your pet
fully during playtime, please consider keeping two
or more ferrets.
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