Ferret Care

The domestic ferret is a member of the weasel family, which includes the mink, otter, badger, and skunk. Its scientific name Mustela putorius furo means "smelly thief of mice," but the domestic variety has much less odour than its relative Mustela putorius, the European ferret of polecat.

Weaned at 8 to 10 weeks of age, ferrets grow quickly and reach their adult weight at 4 months of age. Sexual maturity is usually reached between 5 and 6 months of age, with some females coming into heat as young as 4 months. The average life span is only 5 to 7 years.

Male ferrets, called hobs, can measure 24 inches long and weigh as much as 5 pounds. Females or jills, rarely exceed 18 inches and 3 pounds.

Like other members of its family, the ferret is playful and inquisitive, qualities that make it a delightful pet. Socially, its independent nature is more akin to a cat than a dog. Ferrets, however, love to sleep together in a heap. Like any animal, individual ferrets have their own personalities. Some are affectionate mush balls, while other may be aloof and distant. All, however, seem to share a mischievous quality.

Handling

Handling a ferret is easy if you use care and respect. Start the introductions by letting the ferret smell the back of your hand. Never bring a strange ferret close to your face or point at it - you may invite a nipped nose or finger. Pick up the ferret by grasping it around the shoulders and chest with one hand and supporting its lower body with the other.

When holding a ferret, you can cradle it in your arms, but respect its request to be set down; this can be a few licks on the hand, a gently nip, some squirming or vocalization. When setting a ferret down, never drop it on the floor; instead, gently place it on its feet. A ferret that is repeatedly dropped will dislike being picked up.

Grooming

The only grooming ferrets require is regular toenail trimming and an occasional bath. These baths can be at the owner's discretion to control odours or weekly during flea season to reduce the number of parasites plaguing the ferret. Ferrets don't need to be brushed, but brushing may help control loose fur when the animal sheds twice a year. If it's necessary to restrain a ferret for nail clipping or medical treatment, grasp the animal by the scruff of the neck as you would a cat.

Housing

Most ferret owners keep their pets indoors with a cage for the ferret's bedroom. The animal is let loose for fun and games. Although it is possible to keep a house ferret without a cage, it would take someone with a lot of patience and tolerance to put up with a ferret's continual pranks and thievery. Confining the trickster to its cage can provide some temporary peace of mind. Fortunately, ferret aren't very good climbers, so their antics are usually restricted to the floor.

The cage should be large enough to hold a litter pan, food and water dishes, and a bed. Ferrets prefer solid-bottomed cages as opposed to wire-bottomed ones. Double-decker cages can be used if there's a ramp to the second floor.

More than one ferret can be kept in a single cage, especially females or a male and a female. While neutered males can be kept together, they tend to play fight vigorously. If the fighting gets out of hand or if one is injured they will have to be separated.

A ferret's bed can be an actual nest box, just large enough for the ferret to curl up in, or it can be an old piece of clothing. Ferrets will happily snooze inside a sweater or a sweatshirt, which can be laundered easily.

Food and water dishes should be solid and tip-proof. For some ferrets, the dishes may have to be secured to the cage. Ferrets enjoy playing in water, so a good choice for a water dish is a non-spill travel bowl designed for dogs. Water bottles are not recommended because ferrets can become impatient, dehydrated, or develop urinary disease.

Playtime

Ferrets enjoy playing with a variety of objects, such as balls, stuffed mice, or squeaky toys. Toys will be subjected to sharp teeth and strong jaws, so make sure they don't have pieces that can be torn off and swallowed. A Nylabone provides safe jaw exercise.

A ferret ready for some playful wrestling or tickling will produce a sound halfway between a hiss and a chuckle. It will bounce around sideways on its little legs like a pogo stick. The ferret's mouth will be open in a play fac, and although it may look as if it's going to bite, the ferret isn't serious unless its hair is standing on end.

To stimulate fun and games in your home, give your ferrets a selection of cardboard or plastic tubes (between 3 and 4 inches in diameter) as mock tunnels. Dryer vent tubing works well; design several bends and joints for variety. Watching a couple of ferrets play hide and seek and ambush among the tubes will keep you laughing.