Ferret out the facts

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/07/2010 (5552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A lot of people think they know ferrets and most would be wrong

Much of what they know about the little carnivores is likely incorrect.

Some believe they are a cousin to the mouse or gerbil. They see their agile little tubular-shaped body perform fun movements or snuggle in a swinging hammock and they fall in love. That being said, they aren’t meant to be purchased or adopted and then ignored.

Ferrets are part of the Mustelidae family. In the wild, some of its genetic cousins are the weasel, badger and mink. Perhaps this is the reason why some assume a ferret to be a poor pet. In the same way we don’t invite the bobcat or wolf into the home, it’d be ludicrous to bring a badger into the house for hugs and kisses. But all pets have wild roots. This is a basic point many of us miss. Ferrets have been domesticated for centuries.

Lack of common knowledge of ferrets may be why ferret shelters have been created to house those pets relinquished by owners who had little idea of how to care for them. Animal experts ask those about to consider any pet adoption to do a lot of research. Ferrets are no different.

Owners who use ferret-loving websites explain that they sometimes see their pets akin to cats, because they like to cuddle, play and eat. Other owners give tips on how to take them on a walk the same way you would a dog. But these animals have unique traits and needs, too.

As much as I’d like to profess that I’m an expert on these little guys, I have only had one real experience with them. I once spent a night at a cousin’s who owned two ferrets. He followed some recommended care guidelines; he kept their eating, sleeping and eliminating areas separate. The advice makes sense. Would you want to eat in your bathroom?

My cousin didn’t, however, believe in housing his pets. Instead, he blocked off two bedrooms. The remainder of their bi-level home was left for the ferrets to roam.

These furry creatures can get themselves into dicey situations. A couch cushion or laundry basket seems benign to us, but they pose a genuine danger to ferrets. If you don’t pay attention, you could inadvertently crush or suffocate them. Ferrets can squeeze into holes an inch or larger. Their lives are unfortunately cut short due to preventable accidents.

This is not to say that your ferret can roam the house, as my cousin allowed, but rather your hob or jill (male or female) should be given supervised out-of-cage time. If carefully monitored, ferrets can live six to 10 years.

While my cousin could have left his ferrets open to potential dangers, he was right about the amount of play and socialization they require. To keep them happy, they’ll need a few hours of frolicking daily.

As with all pets, if you have young children, you don’t leave your ferret alone with them. Kids often have no idea of how tightly they hold a pet. And if they’re nipped or scratched, kids have been known to immediately drop animals. Young children should sit to hold a ferret, or pet while an adult holds them. According to The Manitoba Ferret Association’s website, it’s not recommended to use ferrets to prove if a child can handle responsibility.

Ferrets can be litter-trained and have been known to sleep 18 hours. A safe cage includes levels to play and burrow. Cedar shavings and newspaper should be avoided as bedding; towels or old blankets suffice. Also, dry food, fresh water and toys must be available.

Because a domestic ferret hasn’t the homing sense of a wild animal, they shouldn’t be left to roam off leash when taken outside. If off harness, you might never see them again.

Recently, I witnessed two ferrets participate in Paws in Motion (the Winnipeg Humane Society walk that involved nearly a 2,000 pets and their owners). One owner had the ferret on a harness and carried her. Another used a pet carriage and a harness to let the ferret enjoy stints in grassy nooks. Dogs, cats and ferrets walked beside each other without incident. It was a sight to be seen.

Before you get a ferret, you should consider your lifestyle. If you travel, or move frequently, a ferret may not be the best pet choice. While Winnipeg allows them, many cities throughout North America do not. You wouldn’t want to get a pet that you’d later have to forfeit.

Should you be interested in ferrets, contact the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association and the Manitoba Ferret Association for further information.

 

char.adam@mts.net twitter.com/charspetpage