For a Fun and Entertaining Pet, Get a Ferret!

By Gary Orlando

Did you know that ferrets are the third most popular pet in America, right after the dog and cat? Some say that the ferret was domesticated right after the cat, around 1500 years ago. They are even used as work animals today in several countries to help "ferret out" small varmints so the varmints are easier to get at, especially in Australia where the wild rabbit population has almost reached plague proportions. So how could a ferret make a good pet? They are fun, plain and simple. They have tons of energy and are always going when they are awake. Like cats, they spend a fair amount of time sleeping, but when they are awake they play like kittens with their owners or explore their surroundings endlessly, for most of their adult life. They also give you much more affection and attention than cats do. They can be easily trained to use a litter box just like a cat, but you will need multiple boxes throughout the house, because when a ferret needs to go, he really needs to go! Because their skin and fur are different from cats and dogs, ferrets may have a very slight musky smell, but it isn’t offensive and their delightful personality more than makes up for it.

Sounds like the perfect pet right? Well with anything "perfect" there are some caveats you should be aware of. Nothing extreme, just a different way of thinking when it comes to ferret care as opposed to cats and dogs. Most importantly, you will need to "ferret proof" your living environment. Because the ferret is so curious, even more curious than a cat, even to the point of being foolish or dangerous, you must properly plug up any small hole or crevice that a ferret can crawl into. Keep in mind that ferrets are very small and wiggly and will be able to get into places you could not imagine. Moveable furniture, such as recliners, daybeds, and sleeper sofas can be fatal to them if they crawl up there for a nap or an exploration session. They can also get behind appliances where it can be very hot or there are moving parts, such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators or freezers. It might also be a good idea to put your ferret in a cage at night while you’re sleeping. Ferrets will also need a special diet; a very high protein/fat rich diet is necessary to keep your ferret healthy since they’re on the go all the time. Cat food for kittens might be a substitute until you can get proper ferret food. It would also be a good idea to check with your veterinarian of choice to make sure they can handle the medical needs of a ferret.

So would a ferret make a good pet? Yes, they make great pets for the whole family, including kids. But be sure to do your homework first so you'll know just how to take care of your ferret properly and make it part of your family. There are hundreds of references available online, just for the looking.