AN INTRODUCTION TO FERRETS
Ferrets are delightful creatures to keep and are a source of constant amusement and enjoyment, making excellent domestic pets. Contrary to the old beliefs, they are not all dirty and vicious. If regularly cleaned out these animals keep themselves in a very clean condition. Obviously if left to their own devices for days on end, surrounded by their own droppings and urine, they are going to become dirty and smelly, as would any other animal kept in these conditions. The ferret cannot ‘muck itself out’ and this is the responsibility of the owner.
Also if regularly handled the ferret soon becomes a loving and cuddly animal. All animals can bite. This is often their only line of defence. The ferret is no exception but will normally only do this if it is frightened, threatened or hurt. Baby ferrets, or ‘kits’ as they are generally known, will nibble out of curiosity and ignorance, as they tend to treat anything as potential food, but soon learn to distinguish between master and ‘munchable’. In view of this a novice owner would be best suited to an adult ferret which would already be used to being handled. A ferret that habitually bites is generally the fault of a neglectful, uncaring owner. The basic rule is give your ferrets ‘TLC’ – they will more than return it.
Male ferrets are called ‘hobs’, females are called ‘jills’. The male is considerably larger than the female and has a distinct musky smell. This can be reduced dramatically if the male is neutered (castrated), which only costs around the same as a male cat. Neutered hobs will live quite happily together with other neutered males and jills. Whole males (not castrated) will tend to fight in the summer months when they are in season. A vasectomised hob will behave exactly the same as a whole male ferret and would also tend to fight with other male ferrets. The cost of a vasectomy operation is considerably more than a castration but to the owner of a lot of female ferrets is often worthwhile. Jills can be kept together in any numbers at any time with few problems arising. A jill will come into season in the spring of every year and will not come out of season until the end of the year unless mated with a hob, mated with a vasectomised hob or given a costly injection at the vets. A jill can be neutered (spayed) to prevent her ever coming into season. This again will cost roughly the same as a female cat. Jills that are not brought out of season can become ill and die, therefore jills are not recommended as first time ferrets. However mating with a whole male will result in the jill having a litter of between 2 and 16 babies (kits) within 6 weeks. Occasionally only 1 kit will be born but normally a litter of 4 – 12 will result.
Kits are even more time consuming. Do not breed for the sake of it. It is irresponsible unless you know you will be able to find homes for them or you are prepared to keep them yourself. A ferret is not ready to leave its mother until it is between 8 – 10 weeks old. When ferrets are young they are very boisterous and can be over playful often resulting in the owner’s suffering minor injuries to their hands and arms from their sharp milk teeth and claws. This is why it is recommended that first time or novice owners choose a ferret over 6 months of age, especially if you have young children. Adult ferrets are generally calmer and more laid back than kits. Kits are like naughty school children. Kits will also consume large amounts of food once they are weaned (approx 3 weeks old), until they reach adult size at 16 weeks. This can prove costly.
Ferrets normally live between 9 – 11 years but have occasionally been known to live 15 years, so be aware of this fact before you take one on.
A single ferret can be kept quite happily provided it receives constant human attention and companionship, but are generally better off in pairs or larger groups to cater for those times when the owner is not available to them.
They are very sociable animals and seem to fit comfortably into a slot between cat and dog with regard to temperament and trainability.
There are basically 3 categories of ferrets, the albino - white with red eyes, the polecat - black/brown with white face and burglar's mask, and coloureds. Coloureds are all the other ferrets which do not fit into the above categories eg sandy, silvers, silvermits, huskys, etc. When choosing a ferret the category is of no importance and their temperaments are all the same. Which you choose is up to you but more often than not the ferret is the one who chooses its owner, as with puppy and kitten.
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