Want to Learn About Ferrets

Question
i am thinking of getting a ferret but i only no a couple of things about them but not every thing so could you tell me the basics about them and the stuff ill need 2 no and if i do get 1 do the get along with cats and dogs?? thanks

Answer
Hi Simone:

Welcome to the wonderful world of ferrets!  Ferrets are VERY different than any other pet.  While they are as smart as dogs and cats, they are as much work as a two-year-old child! They are as much fun as a barrel of monkeys and absolutely make the world a better place to live.

A domestic ferret "mustela putorius furo" and several other small, elongated carnivorous mammals belonging to the family Mustelidae (weasels) also have the word "ferret" in their common names, including the endangered black-footed ferret. The ferret is a very close relative of the polecat, but it is unclear whether it is a domesticated form of the European polecat, the Steppe polecat, or some hybrid of the two.

Ferrets come in different colors, but not different "breeds" as such. The most common ones are "sable" = very dark brown/black, "chocolate" = warm brown, dark-eyed white, albino (red eyes, white coat), champagne, silver.  They can also have "markings" that distinguish them from one another such as a "bib" (white chest under chin area), "mitts" (white feet).

Ferrets should not be bathed more often than every couple of months because their skin will dry out and they will get very itchy.  Ferrets do have an odor to them, even when they have been descented. Some scent glands still remain. Most ferret lovers enjoy the 'musky' smell of ferrets. Anyone who doesn't like the smell, definitely shouldn't get a ferret, because bathing is never enough to remove all odors.  The best way to keep odors down is to keep the litterbox scooped twice daily, especially all WET LITTER removed, and to change all hammocks and bedding twice a week.  A clean ferret cage is a ferret cage that does not stink.

Ferrets require a very high protein diet of at least 35% protein.  The best foods for them are ferret-specific and chicken-based.  Ferrets need to have FRESH, CLEAN WATER (preferrably in a bowl AND a drip bottle too) and a bowl of DRY KIBBLE available AT ALL TIMES.  Because they are so small, ferrets eat sometimes as often as every half hour.  As long as a ferret eats a good, high protein ferret-specific premium ferret food, they don't *need* a vitamin, but they almost all love Ferretone, a fatty acid supplement.

Here are some links where you can find all kinds of general information on ferrets that you may find of interest (cut & paste these):  

http://www.craftycreatures.com/forferretsonly/ferret_school/ferretschool_aboutfe...

http://www.ferretcentral.org

http://www.craftycreatures.com/forferretsonly/ferret_school/ferretschool_aboutfe...

If there is anything else you can think of that you don't see the answer to, please don't hesitate to write again - too many people get a ferret first, THEN ask questions.

You would be surprised how many people get ferrets and THEN decide a ferret is NOT for them because they do require a LOT more care than any other pet such as a dog or cat. Ferrets MUST have 2 to 3 hours of care from their owners EVERY DAY.  It is a MUCH BETTER IDEA to ask questions FIRST, before bringing that ferret home. Unfortunately, most places do NOT give money back, not to mention the upset to the poor little ferrets who end up in shelters (if they are lucky). So, please do plan well and read LOTS before making a decision to bring a ferret into your home.

There is also a book called FERRETS FOR DUMMIES by Kim Schilling that his EXCELLENT for anyone considering getting a ferret. Great reading *before* buying a ferret! Every ferret owner should have this one in their personal library. There is now even a second edition, so splurge and get both... READ them both all the way through, THEN decide on whether to get the ferret. THAT is a smart ferret owner!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers