It's a Ferret Life

Why ferrets are worth the trouble

	A ferret peeks out from under a blanket inside Robin Hochgertel’s Ferrets First rescue in Annandale, Va.

But Robin Hochgertel knows the real secret: “People who get ferrets have a tendency to become ferret addicts.”

Hochgertel, who runs the Ferrets First rescue in Annandale, Va., says that ferrets are sweet and cuddly and entertaining to watch.

“They’ll get in your lap, but they won’t let you them hold them for very long. They always have something to see and something to do,” she says.

Ferrets are smart enough to learn their names, and they bond to individual people.

“They’re so expressive — when you talk to them, they look right at you,” says Lisa Vible of Elkton, Md., education director for the American Ferret Association.

But if you’re considering a ferret, remember that those charming characteristics come at a price. Being intelligent, curious and busy, ferrets have a lot of chances to get into trouble.

“They’re perpetual 2-year-olds,” Vible says. “They’re always into something.”

So you’ll need to ferret-proof your house from the point of view of a clever, long, skinny 2-year-old.

“If their heads make it out, their bodies make it out,” says Hochgertel.

And a social animal like a ferret needs company and attention. You should be prepared to let them out of their cages for several hours a day to exercise and socialize. They also enjoy rough play with one another that their human friends can’t provide. So although you probably don’t want to start with 18, you should consider getting more than one.

“One is a lot to take care of, because it requires your complete attention. If you have two, they play together,” Hochgertel says.

But even if your ferret has company, it’s still a high maintenance pet, more comparable to a dog than to most small caged animals. You’ll need to find a specialist vet, who might not be nearby, and be prepared for possible major illnesses, including adrenal gland disease, which is common in these animals.

In Kansas City, you’ll need to make sure your ferrets are vaccinated for rabies and apply for a license. The license will cost $7 if the ferret is spayed or neutered. You should check with city government about ferret ownership.

Hochgertel and Vible say that the ferret’s reputation for stinkiness is exaggerated. Any animal has a characteristic body odor, but as with any other animal, proper care will minimize it. Hochgertel recommends the following steps in particular:

•Keep the cage clean. A ferret’s cage should be lined with blankets and contain a litter box (don’t use clay litter, she says, which gets stuck in their noses if they root in it). Launder the blankets at least once a week and scoop the litter every day.

•While regular cleaning of your ferret’s litter box is crucial, it’s also important to start with a good diet. Some major commercial ferret diets are based on fish; avoiding these will result in a much less smelly output.

•Clean their outer ears regularly with a cotton swab. Ferrets also need regular nail trims, but Hochgertel says not to bathe them too frequently, which will actually increase odor by making their skin glands work overtime.

•Especially for a first-time ferret owner, try to get your new pet from a rescue shelter. A shelter, will give you a better education on the care of your ferret than a pet store can. And a shelter will make sure you’re a good match, because the animals have different personalities. The Kansas City Ferret Hotline has rescue ferrets.

Ferret addicts say their pets are indeed a big commitment, but well worth it.

“You’re getting an animal that needs a lot of time to roam and play and be themselves. And they require a lot of vet care,” Vible says. “I love them so much, so for me it’s not a lot of work — but it is a lot of work.”

•American Ferret Association: www.ferret.org

•Ferrets First rescue: www.ferretsfirst.org