Ferreting out the truths on ferrets

Ferrets can be mischievous, but also a lot of fun. (Courtesy photo)

Ferrets are pretty common at the shelter, but it can be difficult to find the right adopter for them. While they’re definitely cute and playful and seem easy enough to fit into any home, ferrets are actually a bit more complicated and need a special kind of home. Before adding a ferret to your family, it’s important to know some of the basics about them.

Know the Law

Believe it or not, it is against the law to own a ferret in some places. While this isn’t an issue for us here in Maine and New Hampshire, it could become an issue if you plan to relocate. Although they are not against the law in our area, that doesn’t mean they will be approved by your landlord.  If you do not own your home, double check whether or not ferrets are allowed as pets before bringing one home.

Veterinary Care

Like cats and dogs, ferrets are required to have rabies vaccines. Once in your home, your ferret will need to continue to see the vet each year and to receive a rabies shot. Ferrets are also prone to getting ear mites. Have your veterinarian show you how to properly clean your pet’s ears to prevent ear mites.

Behavior

Spending some one-on-one time with ferrets is sure to make you laugh. When they’re out of their cages and having fun, ferrets are rambunctious and playful. They’re also very clever and sneaky! In fact, on more than one occasion I have looked down at my feet while sitting at my desk to find a ferret that had managed to escape from its playpen or cage. Ferrets definitely know how to find trouble, so expect to keep an eye on them at all times when they’re not in their cages (and make sure their cages are closed tight!).

Ferrets are very social animals and, typically, they are happier if they have a friend. At the shelter, we rarely see individual ferrets. Instead, they tend to arrive as bonded pairs. Two ferrets can help entertain each other – especially if you’re not there to play with them.

Kids and Ferrets

Ferrets love to be handled and get really excited about play time, so it seems only natural that they’d mix well with children. It’s important to remember, though, that ferrets do have teeth and, when they get overexcited, they tend to get nippy.  Ferrets can also be easily startled by children since their vision is limited. If you have young children, teach them how to handle ferrets safely and make sure they are always supervised.

Time

Because ferrets live in cages, it’s easy for people to forget how much social interaction they need. Although they spend a majority of their time sleeping, ferrets do best with someone who has lots of time for them and will give them plenty of out-of-cage time. A common reason ferrets come into the shelter is because their owners do not have enough time for them. When out of their cages, ferrets need to be supervised at all times as they are very mischievous and will definitely get into trouble!

Cleanliness

Much like a cat, ferrets can be trained to use a litter box. Litter boxes should be secured to the side of the cage in an area away from the ferret’s sleeping and eating areas. Wood shavings and regular cat litter can cause respiratory issues, so be sure to provide your ferret with pellet litter only. In fact, at pet supply stores you can easily find pellet litter specifically labeled for ferret use. 

The Smell

We can’t talk about ferrets without discussing “the smell”. Ferrets do have a musky odor and, before bringing a ferret into your home, you should establish whether or not the smell is something you can tolerate. Remember – if you try to bathe a ferret in order to remove the smell, the ferret will secrete more oils to make up for what was washed away, resulting in a stronger smelling ferret than what you started washing!  While you can’t wash the smell off the animal, keeping their bedding fresh and clean will help minimize the smell in your home.

Ferrets may not be the right match for everyone, but, if they are a good fit for you, they make fun, loving, and playful pets!

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, two cats, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.