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Ferrets as Pets - Things You Need to Know

29 12:01:15

Ferrets as Pets - Things You Need to Know






     Ferrets may not be a common animal choice for pets. Many people find ferrets nice to have and as easy to keep as pet, if not easier, as other typical pets like dogs and cats.

By the year of 1996, according to a study by California State Bird and Mammal Conservation Program, approximately 800,000 or more domestic ferrets were probably kept as pets in United States.

The ferret is a domestic mammal. Domestic ferrets characteristically have brown, black, white or mixed fur, average length of about 20 inches including a 5 inch tail. The average life span of ferrets, barring accidents or serious illness, is 7 ?10 years. Full grown females weight about 2 pounds, while males are larger.

Ferrets belong to the weasel family (Mustelidae) and are related to mink, skunks, weasels, otters and badgers. Ferrets are the only domestic subspecies in this family and they should not be confused with the Blackfooted Ferret, an endangered species which is only distantly related. Today, the ferret is become the third most common uncaged pet in North America, after cats and dogs.

The origin of the ferret as domestic animals is unclear. But probably that ferrets have been tamed for about 2,500 or more years ago and probably were tamed for vermin control and hunting. Their closest wild relatives are the European polecat and the Steppe polecat, which probably the ferrets domesticated from, found in Eastern European forests southwards into the Balkans and the Caucasus. The ferrets are still used for hunting rabbit in some parts of the world today.

Ferrets spend 14 to 18 hours a day sleeping, they are most active during dusk and dawn. Though ferrets sleep more than most other domesticated animals, they are very active when awake and will seek to be released from their cage. Ferrets are energetic, curious, interested in their surroundings, and often actively solicit play with humans.

They also have a strong nesting instinct and will repeatedly carry small objects to hidden locations.

A common ferret problem to many pet owners is introducing new ferrets to their population. But once settled in, ferrets quickly establish their territory and set the house rules: What's theirs is theirs, what's yours is up for grabs. They explore; find and make nests; select and hide treasures. Anything that can be turned over, inside-out, or dragged off, no matter the size, is fair game. In pairs, they prance, dance, wrestle, and hunt down each other, dogs, cats, and people with gleeful chittering. They are there to inspect every activity and supervise every undertaking.

Choosing a ferret as a pet? Before getting a ferret, research the animal. Talk to people who own ferret, read books about ferrets.

Ferrets are not like cats or dogs, and have many special needs which are not obvious for new owner. What about the food for ferrets? Ferrets are carnivores that require at least 22% fat and 34% protein from animal sources. Some kitten foods probably can be used, as long as they provide the high protein and fat content required by the ferrets. But most adult cat foods and kitten foods are not recommended as they have a low protein content and high fiber. There are many commercial ferret food products. Choose one that right for your pet.

Ferrets and Children

Ferrets can be good pets for children, but not good pets for very young children. You must consider a potential danger to a human child by a pet ferret, and potential danger to a pet ferret by a human child.

If you aren't home much, have children under the age of ten, don't enjoy chaos, or have a busy lifestyle which would prevent a ferret from roaming freely, then these pet are not for you.

Having a ferret as pet can be a fun and exciting experience, as long as you can provide for a ferret's needs. You will have a wonderful, loving, furry, little companion who lives his life to its fullest and will help you enjoy your own even more.