| February 26, 2009
by Elizabeth Margareta
Griffith, Tampa
Exotic Pets Examiner
The Examiner
As is true of many pets, especially exotics, there are vehement
opinions on ferrets. People who live with ferrets tend to
adore them but many who don't are afraid of them. I'll write
more about ferrets, being one of those who loves them, but for now
let's try to sort out the basic question, are ferrets good pets?
The Law
The first question to answer is are ferrets legal pets where you live and if
so, must they be licensed? Your local government animal services should
be able to tell you. Good news, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas:
Ferrets are legal! They must be vaccinated for rabies by four months, and
they must be licensed. Your veterinarian can help you with the paperwork
when you get the rabies vaccine. You should take your ferret to the
veterinarian for vaccines and checkups no matter what the law may have neglected
to tell you.
Ferrets and children
Ferrets are small, relatively fragile animals, ranging from two pounds for
an average
female to less than five pounds for a large male. They require
gentle, careful handling. Ferrets are also social carnivores and will pounce,
nip, and engage in fairly rough play with each other and, until taught otherwise,
their humans. They are not good starter pets for children.
That said, there's no need to give away the ferrets if you find you have a
baby on the way. A few sensible precautions will keep everyone safe.
If you haven't been caging your ferret, this is a good time to start. You
don't want the ferrets finding the baby's crib or things, and when the baby
starts crawling you don't want the baby finding the ferrets, ferret food, or
their litter box. So you need a way to be absolutely sure that the ferrets
and child are safe from each other. Get a large cage with lots of levels and
toys and let the ferret or ferrets get used to enjoying it before the baby
comes.
When the child and ferrets are together, supervise closely to be sure that
no one gets squeezed, shaken, or nipped. Babies can watch the ferrets play
from your arms. Toddlers can be allowed to touch the ferret's back while you
hold the ferret and possibly give it a little linotone or ferretone to lick
off of your hand. Preschoolers can help clean ferret dishes and pour food,
and learn to handle ferrets who are calm.
I remember one occasion when my toddler put her fingers through the ferret
cage before I could intervene, and our more aggressive ferret did nip – without
even breaking the skin. In fact, I saw the ferret deliberately slow down the
nip, as though she knew the toddler was a youngster and needed to be taught,
not fended off.
Not all ferrets will show this sense, but to put things in perspective, ferrets
are small, you will vaccinate them against rabies and whatever else your vet
recommends, and even if the bite does break the skin, that's what soap, water,
antibacterial ointment and, if necessary, your pediatrician are for. In other
words, protect your child but realize that ferret nips aren't more dangerous
than cat scratches or puppy nips.
Some special ferret issues
Ferrets are related to weasels and skunks, and they smell like it. A distressed
ferret will smell really foul. Unlike a skunk, the ferret smell will disappate
pretty quickly. Just air the room and calm the ferret. I got to like the
normal smell of ferret, but it may not be for everyone.
Female ferrets, like many small mammals, can breed continuously. You don't
want to encourage this for many reasons. But a female ferret (jill) who will
not be breeding needs to be spayed, or she will prone to aplastic anemia. Some
say that altering male ferrets makes them calmer and less smelly.
Low or high maintenance?
I don't think there is such a thing as a low-care pet. I came across a ferret
website that said ferrets can be left on their own for an overnight trip.
NO, NO, NO. The little guys could escape from their cage, run out of food
or water, or otherwise need care. We live in a world where pets already have
to endure our work schedules, but the daily, or twice daily check on the
pet is essential. For ferrets in a cage, daily playtime is necessary. When
you travel, hire a professional pet sitter or very reliable teenager (or
younger child who is being trained and supervised by a parent) to give your
ferret, appropriate care, or consider boarding your animal at a veterinarian. |
Ferret News 
