What is a ferret?
Are they legal?
What do they eat?
What do I need to care for one?
How would a ferret fit into my household?
What training do they need?
What kind of health problems do they have?
Where do I find a ferret to add to my household?
Why own a ferret?

What is a ferret? A ferret is a small domestic mammal that is becoming increasingly popular as a household pet.  They are NOT rodents, they are members of the family of animals that also includes weasles, otters, skunks, and mink.  The endangered Black Footed Ferret that the domestic ferrets are sometimes mistaken for are also cousins.  Domestic ferrets are intelligent, inquisitive, and friendly, though most are not cuddly.  They typically live between 6-8 years, though there are many cases of them living longer.

Are they legal?  Domestic ferrets are not legal in the states (in the U.S.A.) of California and Hawaii.  Their legality in the rest of the states is left up to local government. They are illegal in some places, restricted in others, treated like dogs or cats in still others.  Check with your local ordinance...and get a copy of it, you may be told one thing when the reality is something else.  Many places consider them "exotic" animals.
 
 

What do they eat?  They are obligate carnivores, which means that they must eat meat or meat products.  Most people feed a ferret food or high-quality cat or kitten food.  Quality in ferret food varies greatly.  Avoid ones that include bits of fruit or veggies, these are okay as occasional treats, but not as a part of their staple food.  Many people also feed meats such as ground whole chicken, or mice.  There is much debate on how much diet and kibble foods which rely on grain for their form may contribute to health problems.  Ferrets also imprint early on food, and it is not uncommon for them to refuse anything other than certain foods, even to the point of starving themselves to death.  So it's a good idea to feed a variety of good foods from the start, in the event a company changes a formula or a food becomes no longer available.  It is possible to get a ferret to adjust to a new food, but it can be a lot of work.  They need both a high protein and a high fat diet.
 
 

What do I need to care for one?  First and formost you need to to "ferretproof" your house.  It can be helpful to think of a ferret as a highly intelligent 2-year-old child that can fit in a 2 inch by 2 inch square.  Any holes into the walls, outside, or other places that you don't want (under cubbords, behind/in the stove) need to be blocked, or they need to not have access to those area.  Ferrets can rip through screening on windows and doors, climb, open things, dig, and figure out ways to get where you don't want them!  Some people allow them free roam of their house, or certain rooms of their house.  However, we recomend that you have a cage to keep them in when you are not home to supervise.  The larger the cage the better, particularly the more ferrets you have.

In the cage some popular items are hammocks, sleep sacks, towels, shirts, other material for sleeping, and litter boxes.  You should have a carrier of some sort for trips to the vet, or out to the park, etc.  More litter boxes for around the house.  A non-dusty, non-clumping litter should be used.  A corn cob, or wood pellet litter is preferred by many.  Despite what you may see in pet stores, it is *not* healthy to house ferrets in a fish tank and/or on wood chips.  Ferrets need to be entertained, so a variety of toys should be provided.  Kong toys are popular and durable, and most ferrets love sacks, boxes, and such items.  You can make tunnels for them out of dryer hose, Oatmeal containers, soda boxes, and tape.  Just make sure it's big enough for them to not get stuck when they're full grown!

Ferrets use their mouths a lot, so don't use toys that have parts that can be chewed off, broken, swallowed, etc.  Check for yourself, just becuase it's packaged and marketed for a pet doesn't mean it's safe for them!  Newspaper or carpet scraps are useful.  Most ferrets will probably never be 100% with their litter boxes, but it's easy to just put down some newspaper or a bit of carpet or vinal flooring to protect your floor.  Vinal flooring is also good for placing on the floors of cages, it's easy to clean, you don't need fancy stuff so it's inexpensive to replace from time to time as well.

You will need a high-quality ferret or kitten kibble to feed, bowls that are hard to tip over (heavy ceramic works well).  Most ferrets can learn to drink from a bottle, and it may be a good idea to keep one in the cage even if you have a water bowl for them as well.

You will also need a pocketbook.  Generally it is recomended to have $500/yr set aside for each ferret.  Now, most years you will only need to cover routine vet visits and vaccinations, but you don't want to be scrambling to pay a vet bill, or face not being able to do life-saving treatments because you haven't prepared ahead.  Also in this vein, it's good to have an already-standing relationship with your pets' veterinarian.  Should a financial pinch occur, you may be able to work something out with someone who already knows you, knows you are responsible with your bills.  Also it's a good idea to have a second or even third vet you can take your ferret to in the event your first choice is not available.

You yourself will need a knowledge of ferrets, their habits, and illnesses.  There are many vets out there who may say that they treat ferrets, but are not familiar with them as much as they should be.  See if your current vet (if you have one) is open to being educated about current treatments if they don't already know.  Just because a vet isn't familliar with ferrets doesn't mean that they will make a bad ferret vet as long as they are willing to learn.
 
 

How would a ferret fit into my household?  This is a very important question to consider when thinking about a ferret as a pet.  They are not just like a kitten or a puppy, like many pet stores may try to claim.  They are wonderful animals, but certainly not a good pet for everyone.

• If you are looking for an animal that will snuggle and cuddle with you, a ferret is not the pet to get.  Some individual ferrets like to snuggle with their owners, most tend not to.
• If you need a pet that is low-maintenance, a ferret is not the pet for you.  Ferrets can be kept in cages for part of the day, but need not only time to run, but mental stimulation, games, and interaction.  Particularly later in life, some will develop illnesses that take time on the owner's part to treat.
• Ferret get into things, move things, and create at least a little (usually a lot) of chaos.  If finding a missed litterbox from time to time, having your socks or underwear disappear under the couch, or having to pluck your pet out of the trash will bother you greatly, then a ferret is not for you.
• Ferrets can get along well with cats and dogs, and occasionally other animals.  Cats may or may not like the ferrets.  Dogs run a higher risk, especially in hunting breeds, of killing a ferret.  Ferrets are predatory themselves, so small mammals, reptiles, and birds are at risk in a household with ferrets.  Careful introduction is neccesary in *any* situation, all animals are individuals, and may or may not like other individuals.  Most ferrets can learn to get along well with other ferrets, but there will be occasional conflicts, and occasionally a ferret, particularly if you adopt an older one from a shelter, who will refuse to get along with others.
• Ferrets *can* do fine with a household with children, but strict supervision is needed for the ferret's safety more than the child's.  Both ferrets and children are naturally inquisitive and playful and both if over excited can be unintentionally rough.  Some shelters will not adopt to households with infants or small children as a rule, to prevent a potential problem, and many will not adopt to a household where the primary caregiver of the ferret is a child.  Many ferrets end up in shelters because they were gotten as a pet for the children who tired of them, or became busy with othe childhood things, or grew up and moved off to college and couldn't take the ferret with, and the parents were not willing to care for the animal.  If the adults in the household are not willing to care for a ferret for the rest of it's life, then perhaps you should choose a different pet.
• Most ferrets love to dig.  They will dig in plant pots, at carpet (particularly at closed doors), in all sorts of things.  They can also be amazingly persitant.  Plants can be protected by wire and/or heavy stones over the open part of the pot (and a determined ferret can get the most amazing places, so don't think simply putting them up high will protect them.)  Carpets can be protected by a variety of pads, old carpet scraps, runners, and the like.  Houses or rooms without carpets are also a good solution to the carpet-digging problem.
• Will you be moving around a lot?  Ferrets are not only illegal in some areas, but frequently unwelcome by apartment owners.  If you may be moving frequently and/or suddenly, a ferret may not be a good pet because you may not be able to find a place that will accept them.  This is one of the biggest reasons that we get ferrets turned into a shelter.
• There are many other factors to consider, which is why there can be a great advantage to getting a ferret from a shelter, especially for first time owners.  Just about every shelter operator will be both willing and able to not only help you determine if a ferret is right for you, but know the ferrets in their care, and can select ones for you to choose from that may fit your lifestyle better than others.

What training do they need?  The very first training that young ferrets will need is to not nip.  Many ferrets get turned into shelters because their owners did not take the time to do this and the ferret became a problem...or in some cases, even a hazzard.  Ferrets are very mouthy, and their skin is tough, so when kits play, they use their mouths and can nip much harder with their ferret playmates than they can with their human ones.  They need to be taught what is and is not acceptable...just like any other baby.  *NEVER* hit a ferret when training.  Not only are you likely to simply make them afraid of you and perhaps even more inclined to bite, but you can also physically hurt them.  They also need to be trained to be handled, so grooming, exams and vet visits go much smoother.

While ferrets are pretty good about using corners for their bathrooms, they will need training to use litterboxes.  It may be easiest to start out using newspaper down where they go.  Think about how a ferret is built when choosing a litter box.  Sides should be low, so it's easy to get into, it should be big enough for a large ferret to get it's *whole* body in the box and lined up to a corner of it.  Boxes also need to be easy to get to...a busy ferret will not be inclined to run back to the cage to use the box. It will take some patience, and quickness on your part, but it's possible.

It is also a good idea to teach them to come when you call...to a toy, bell, whistle, or your voice.  There will be times when your ferrets hide, or get out, and you need to find them.  Teaching them to come to a sound (other signals can be used for deaf ferrets), will greatly aid them getting back to you safely.

Ferrets can also be trained to walk on harness and leashes, and a variety of other tricks.  There are many good FAQs out there on how to train.  Shelter parents are often old hacks at the tricks of the trade and can show you things.

What kind of health problems do they have?  They need vaccinations for Canine Distemper and Rabies.  Canine Distemper is horrible, highly contagious, and fatal.  Ferrets are not prone to get rabies, and die rapidly if they do, but it is vital to get them vaccinated anyway, since public officials and opinion often means that if your pet is even suspected of biting someone, they will be taken and quaranteened or in many places still simply killed outright and tested.   There *is* a risk of an allergic reaction to their vaccinations...most often to the distemper, though there is a rare reaction to the rabies.  It is *vital* to know the warning signs, have your vet do the vaccinations, and stay at your vets for some time after the vaccinations since they are sometimes delayed.  Other ways to reduce the risk is to separate the vaccinations by two weeks and pre-treat.  Talk to your vet about options, and have your vet talk to United Vaccine about what should be done in the event of a reaction.

Intestinal blockages are also a problem.  Ferrets in their explorations can swallow items that won't pass through their system.  It is very important to observe if your ferret is eating *and* eliminating normally, since this will be the first sign that something is wrong.  Don't wait to see if something will pass.  Ferrets are small animals and blockages are very dangerous.  Many items may not show up on X-ray too, so don't rely on that for a diagnosis.

Ferrets are also get human cold and flu...and can pass it back to their humans!  Things to watch for are dehydration and that it doesn't turn into pneumonia, which can quickly turn fatal.

Insulinoma, resulting in low blood sugar is seen with frequency, and is treated with surgury, drugs or both.  It is very important to treat insulinoma, seziures that result from the low blood sugar will cause brain damage, and eventually death.  Symptoms include weakness, lethargy, and "spacey" episodes.

Adrenal disease is also frequently seen and is mainly treatable through surgical removal of the adrenal glands which are overproducing hormones.  Symptoms are not always obvious, but can include hair loss, enlarging of the vulva on females, mating behaviour in males, and other changes in behaviour.  Usually the best thing to do in our opinion when adrenal disease is suspected is to do an exploratory, tests tend to be expensive and inconclusive at this point.

Ferrets can also get ear mites, fleas, can get heartworm, other heart disease, and a variety of other problems.  If you participate in e-mail lists or news groups, it may seem that ferrets are not healthy animals.  Remember that people are more prone to talk about the problems with their sick animals than their healthy ones...and that many folks own many ferrets.  Problems like insulinoma and adrenal disease can coorelate with "old age" illnesses in people.  Some people/ferrets get them, some don't.

To keep your ferret healthy, feed a high-quality diet, give them lots of exercise and stimulation, regular grooming (teeth cleaning, nail clipping, ear cleaning), vaccinate them, have regular vet check ups, and occasional baths (only when needed, if bathed frequently, the stripping of their natural oils from their skin and fur will make them over produce and smell even more).   Neutering or spaying ferrets is an important part of the health of ferrets, whole males will be unpleasant to be around when in rut for most people, and females that are not bred will frequently not go out of heat and develop serious problems and could die.

Other serious illnesses are ECE and Aleutians Disease.  There is currently no vaccination for either, a ferret with ECE takes constant care to survive, and far too little is known about Aleutians.
 
 

Where do I find a ferret to add to my household? Ferrets can be found a variety of places.  They are frequently seen in the pet store.  However, there are thousands of ferrets in shelters all across the country.  Frequently ferret-specific shelters are needed since many pounds and Humane Societies will not take ferrets, or euthinaze them.  Ferrets end up in shelters usually because someone did not consider carefully if a ferret was a good pet for them, or got tired of a living being they committed to caring for for the duration of it's life.  Occasionally unforseen things do happen, but if that was the only reason we got ferrets in, we'd have a lot fewer ferrets.

There is a perception perhaps that the animals in a shelter are somehow "defective".  This is rarely true.  The animals that come in with problems have problems created by the abuse or neglect from their caregivers.  Ferrets get dumped on the shelters because owners are unwilling to care for a sick animal...we even get people wanting to "exchange" their sick animal for a healthy one!  Those that are sick get treatment, those that need training, get training, those with special needs get those needs met...and are often permanant residents of a shelter and it's foster homes.  Adopting a ferret from a shelter give a home to an animal that has already lost one family; gives you additional support in caring for your ferret...particularly if you are a first time owne; ferrets should have most if not all of their shots (pet stores may not tell you that the kit that you buy needs more shots, and often their next set right away); inital training has already been done...again a plus for the first time owner; individual ferrets can be matched up to your personal lifestyle; and of course you're helping ease the burdon on the shelter system!

Private breeders are also an option, but caution must be used since not all breeders are honest, ethical and have good stock.  Do research, ask questions, good breeders don't mind!  They will also help you decide if a ferret is a good choice, give you information, and answer questions after you have bought a kit.

Pets from a pet store are tempting...they're available, they're cute, and unfortunately often end up being an impulse buy.  There is nothing wrong with an animal from a pet store.  The problems lay in supporting an industry (the stores themselves) that often does not educate it's staff, much less the public, in the proper care of unusual animals, and in many areas has contributed to the overload in the shelters by encouraging impulse buys by downplaying the bad side to owning ferrets and up playing the good parts.  Ultimately it is up to the people buying the pets who are responsible for caring for their pets throughout their lives, but the pet stores, particularly the chains, that help a person make a decision and provide the kind of support that a shelter or breeder can, are rare.  If you have a shelter in your area, please give a home to the ferrets that have already had one family abandon them.  If you're looking for a specific age range, particularly the young, you may have to wait, but it's worth it to have the relationship and experience behind you.

Why own a ferret? After all that you may be wondering why own a ferret at all?!?  Well, they are a playful animal, keeping kitten-like qualities for most or all of their lives.  They bring joy (if you can get past the chaos) into a household, many bond very well with their owners, many travel well with their owners, and remind us to have an inquisitive, lively outlook on life.  A good way to get to know ferrets is to visit people with them, or volunteer at a local shelter to play with the "kids".  If you are unsure about owning a ferret, or about the cost, talk to the shelter about becoming a foster home.  While they are not the right pet for everyone, they are a rewarding companion!