The name Ferret is derived from the Latin word, furonem, which means 'thief'. This is a very appropriate name. Any ferret owner can tell you these little buggers will take anything and everything and hide it in their little hidey holes. Cleaning out under my bed I’ve discovered many missing items, hah.
Ferrets come from the family Mustelidae. Mustela is the Latin word for weasel so that’s how they got their name.
Ferrets are carnivores. They do have anal scent glands {like Skunks do) which they will use if they are threatened, though most ferrets are descented. Some Other members of the Mustelidae family include- Badgers, Wolverines, Sea otters, Weasels, and Polecats. They are very closely related to the European polecat. If you look them up you can see the similarities are great.
Ferrets are often mistaken as being from the rodent family. Which they definitely are not. You can tell just by their carnivorous teeth alone. They are strictly meat-eaters, while rodents are not.
In fact, ferrets do not have cecums or ileocolic valves, which makes them physically unable to digest fruits and vegetables. (The proof is in the poop.) This also means they’re getting no nutritional value out of pelleted food that is not animal based.
They were used once in a sport called 'ferreting' where the Ferrets would hunt rabbits and rats.
Ferrets have been domesticated longer than cats, but have had the hunting and survival instincts bred out of them. They depend on us for survival. A friend of my sister’s actually asked her to get him a baby Ferret if mine ever had kits (which is impossible since they’re spayed and neutered) so he could set them free in the wild. I don’t think so buddy! It’s pretty amazing that people actually think Ferrets are capable of adapting in the wild, becoming vicious creatures, forming their own colonies, even after they’ve been domesticated for thousands of years.
A group of Ferrets is called a Business of Ferrets. The intact males are called Hobbs, and the intact females are called Jills. The neutered males are called Gibbs and the spayed females are called Sprites. Baby ferrets are known as Kits.
Ferret owners have come up with many nicknames for Ferrets, including: Fuzzies, Weasels, Carpet Sharks (They love to travel under carpets/sheets, etc.), Ferts, and Fweasels.
There are many different colors and patterns of Ferrets, to find out more about this check out this site, here
It’s probably a bit easier to sex intact ferrets. Altered Ferrets aren’t too difficult to sex either. But if there’s any question ask someone knowledgeable of Ferrets or look it up. A male Ferret will have it’s 'male parts' on the upper part of his belly. It’s sort of where you’d find a belly button. A female’s ‘female parts’ will be located directly above the anus.
Shivering:
Ferrets often 'shiver' usually this happens after they wake up. Their body temperatures are different from ours and shivering is just them adjusting their body temperature.
Weasel War Dance:
The 'Weasel War Dance', is a play dance put on by ferrets who get too excited and can't control themselves. The ferret bounces all about, sometimes flipping over, opens mouth, and if really having a good time will puff out tail. While doing this they tend to 'dook' which is a noise Ferrets make, their 'happy noise'.
Speedbump:
If a Ferret gets bored while out and roaming, though I've seen them do it when they were trying to 'hide' themselves, he/she will sometimes just 'plop' on the ground and lay there. Ferret owners call this the 'Speedbump' because the Ferret looks like a small speedbump. They will be in the middle of running around and all of a sudden just plop down, it's funny to see.
Ferrets are a pretty big responsibility. Unfortunately they aren’t even legal to own in some places. They are completely illegal in California and Hawaii. You can’t have them in places such as New York City either. If you’re caught with a ferret where it’s illegal to own them, there’s no telling what will happen to him/her. Keeping a ferret where it is illegal is endangering the ferret’s life! Some places require permits, I have to pay ten dollars a year in my state. So it’s a safe bet to do research and find out what’s required for ferrets ownership where you live, if anything.
Ferrets are not cage animals. You can’t expect to purchase a ferret and have it be content in a cage all day. They need time out of the cage every day. Exercise balls, like ones for hamsters, even the big ones, are not safe for ferrets. They can damage a Ferret’s back. There’s really no point in them anyway. Ferrets don’t want to roll around, they want their freedom too.
You’ll also have to do research for the right diet for your ferret. Their diets are similar to that of a cat's. There are specifice foods made for Ferrets, though some of those aren't something you'd want to feed your Ferrets. Just make sure you do your research and know you're feeding your Ferret the right thing. Some people do feed Ferrets cat/kitten food. It’s also a smart idea to buy a few different foods. This helps in the long run. Say a certain brand of food stops manufacturing, you’ll need a replacement and some Ferrets are very picky when it comes to what they’ll eat. It’s good to give them a choice/variety, and get them accustomed to other foods just in case something bad happens. They need a food with taurine, which is found in most cat foods and a high level of protein.
You’ll also need to do research on cage information. I have four Ferrets who share a four-story cage. More specifically, The Ferret Penthouse (F-470) which was purchased at Martin's Cages. The size of the cage all depends on the number of Ferrets you have. Ferrets can be, and should definitely be litter box trained. It makes it easier for everyone trust me! Each Ferret will learn differently, some may never do it, but most can be successfully litter box trained. I’d avoid the small triangular corner litter boxes if I were you. A lot of ferrets don’t like them because of their size. A Ferret likes to fit comfortably in their potties. Some are very stubborn about this thing, some will do it with no problem. Ferrets are very intelligent creatures, who know quite a lot more than they let on. There are tons of litter out there. Some people use woodstove pellets, they work great. You can also use recycled newspaper pellets, and the like. It’s not smart to use the tiny crystal type cat litter or the sand type either. This can hurt your ferret more than help it. The sand can go up their nose/mouths and really damage your ferret. Also the crystal kind can get stuck in certain places where they shouldn’t go, and I think it’s safe to say a Ferret won’t appreciate that.
When a Ferret has to a go, a Ferret has to go! And this happens often. Food is digested very quickly. About every three to four hours they will do their duties. Which is why Ferrets eat so many times a day. It passes through so quickly! Food should always be available, as well as fresh water. Unless the Ferret is on a special diet for say, medical reasons.
Ferrets don’t require much bathing time at all. Twice a year is fine, but no more than once a month. Bathing too often can dry out a Ferret's sensitive skin. Also, over bathing can lead to the oil of the skin washing away. The oil glands work overtime to produce more, causing your ferret to smell more than he/she did before the bath.
You’ll also find that Ferrets are happy playing with just about anything, mostly things they know they aren’t supposed to! You spend a lot of money on fancy shmancy toys, and they stick their nose at them and go play with your sock instead. How sweet. :D
There are lots of other things you may want/need to know so make sure you do your research. Whether it be online or in a book. Not everyone has their facts correct so be sure to compare and to know you’re getting the right facts.
Ferrets do become very attached to their owners, so it's best in all cases that you don't get a Ferret if you can't dedicate the time, attention and love they need. Giving up a ferret can cause them to go into a depression and we don't want that.
If you decide your lifestyle is right for a Ferret and you have the time, patience and love for one or more. ;) I'm very sure you won't regret it. They are seriously the most loveable animals I have ever seen in my life. They are beautiful creatures, with personality that can't be matched. They are very interesting and entertaining animals! They have given me so much, and I love them with all my heart!
Ferrets will also go through a teething period, and during this period, it is very normal for them to chew on things/you. You will want to nip train them though. Socializing them is the big thing that will teach them not to bite. They'll need to know who is in charge and that your hand is not a threat. Some ferrets can be timid for different reasons. I spend a lot of time with mine and so far I've found it pretty easy to train them not to bite. My guys do play bite, which is pretty normal. They certainly do not do it violently. Rikku seemed like she was not well socialized at all when I got her. She was a bit of a biter but I got her to calm down pretty fast. I disciplined her, not by yelling or anything, just telling her "no" in a stern voice and removing her from what she was biting. I've heard of other methods, Bitter Apple for example.. I've also heard some Ferrets actually like it, when it's actually supposed to be a biting deterrent. This could be said of Rikku. She loved the stuff. But she has always been on the strange side though, come to think of it. :) I've also heard scruffing them like their mothers do as a way of punishing her kits, can be used. You could also give them toys to bite intsead. Especially if they are kits, because they will want to chew while teething. You should of course, play with you Ferrets every day, which will help them get to know you quicker. They can be very impatient creatures but the most important thing is they need time out of their cage and they need time with you too. Ferrets love playing, and in order to grow close with your Ferret they need to sped time with you. It is like an abandoned child.. They aren’t likely going to want to respect what you’re saying or listen to you, if they are left alone all the time. They need love, attention, and care just like anything else. They do not very much like being in a cage as it is, which is why, when I open it, I can bet my Ferrets will seize any opportunity that presents itself to get out. This can also help with the training process. If the Ferret is being naughty, you could put him/her back in the cage for a couple of minutes. They won’t like it very much but hopefully that would help keep them from repeating the naughty behavior. If the Ferret is new, you should let them spend some time exploring before you start playing with him/her. They will need time to adjust to the new surroundings. The change was probably very great and they are probably confused, but also very curious. They could have had a very long day, so it is best to give them some time to settle down.
As far as litter training goes this has been my experience: You should get a proper litter box that is big enough for the Ferret to fit comfortably inside of it, this especially applies to the males since they are generally bigger and in my experience much pickier. You’ll also need proper litter which I talked about earlier. Having a cage with many levels can make the job a bit more difficult, since it presents more toilet opportunities. Some places in the cage you can’t put a littler box and the Ferret may decide it likes it there better. I would suggest closing off the areas of the cage you do not want the Ferret to go to the bathroom. Narrowing down the space makes the training much easier. You should set up multiple litter boxes throughout the cage, then gradually narrow it down when the Ferret picks the spots it most likes. This happened with Rodney, though I didn’t actually have to block the other areas of the cage because he couldn’t get up to the other levels by himself in the beginning. I started off with repeatedly placing him in the litter boxes before I let him out of the cage and many other times as well. They can be stubborn but you have to be persistent with training. He understood the purpose but since he was small he was unable to climb to the other levels, but conveniently he was able plop down to the bottom levels. So in order to go to the bathroom he’d have to be able to climb to where they were but he could not which presented a problem. I then put in a pretty larger litter box on the bottom floor. It also had food, water, and bedding down there so he was all set. He began using the litter box regularly and eventually never missed. When he got a bit older he learned how to climb up to the other levels and since he had been using the litter box for a while, he knew what the others ones were for, and used them without me even having to get him to. Like I said, my males are a lot more picky than my girls. The males do not like using potties that are "too dirty" or "too clean" They are very bratty when it comes to their preferences, especially Rascle! Another tip for training them is to place some of the ferret feces in the littler box. This can help the Ferret see thatm that is the bathroom and that is where they should be going. I would not suggest rewarding your Ferret with treats after they do the deed because that could get them thinking they will get a treat each time they go to the bathroom. They need to learn how to do it without those sorts of incentives. I praise mine though, tell them good job and pet them. You should show them that they are doing what you want them to do. Hopefully this will become habit for them. Remember accidents do happen, some Ferrets are spot on, but in the end you can’t really expect perfection.
Ferrets, the creatures that have brought so much joy to my life. I first wanted one years ago, I can't remember my age as I was really young. I am so glad I was finally allowed to get one back in 2002. They have been such a blessing to me. A while back I had some hard times and they were always there to give me kisses, a laugh, love and just a plain good time when I needed it the most. I don't know what I'd do without them. You wouldn't think such a small little thing could be so jammed pack with personality and spunk. They are really clever creatures, also. For example, they'll pretend to use the litter box but not really do it. They go through every step except actually doing the deed. They can be complete sweethearts one minute, but after they wake up a bit, they'll be rambunctious little buggers who are all over the place. They figure things out and their ways into things that seem impossible. Yes, they get into everything. Yes, they like to be little devils, but I love them. I have had five (past and present). Remi, Rascle, Rikku, Rodney and Rodolphus. I'll tell you a bit about them.
Remi (R.I.P. since December 25th, 2006): I had gotten her on December 12th, 2002, she and Rascle were purchased with Christmas money from my Na Na. My parents had said no for a long time but then I finally convinced my dad. He said if I called the pet store and arranged everything that I could get a ferret. So I called the pet store, I was so nervous at the time, too, (I had really bad anxiety back then) but I wanted a ferret so badly so I got through it. Anyway, I had called up the store and the guy said they just got a new kit (baby Ferret) in. So, I went there and I asked where the ferret was, and the lady showed me. I held Remi and she bit me on the ear and wouldn't let go. It was love at first bite. :] She started crying, she must have thought I was her mother. It was the sweetest thing. That didn't last long, though. :D She cried the first day and then she was over it. Remi was a sable. She resembled a raccoon because of the mask on her face. She was the most mischievous of the bunch. She was perfectly capable of being a sweetheart but she was also quite the clever little ferret and would get into absolutely everything when she was alive. She also instigated everything. I think she was a bad example for the other three. =] She was my jealous girl that knew only too well how to hold a grudge. Say I was playing with Rikku, she would go over and demand attention. She would jump on me and playfully attack me. It was very cute. If I put her back in the cage she would get a hissy fit and basically refuse to let me pet her. She was always such a tease but I loved her anyway. It was difficult for me rewrite this in the past tense because I wish so much that Remi could still be here with me. I love all of my pets, but Remi and I had this special connection. We had this bond that I can’t explain. She was like my soul pet. She wasn’t a Ferret to me, she was a friend. She will always remain in my heart and in my memories and I hope she knows how much I love her, and I hope there is a an after life and that she is causing havoc there, the little Devil.
Some of her nicknames included: Remster, Remison, Rem Rem, Remica, jealous girl. I also liked to say 'that thing got a Remi?'
Rascle (R.I.P. since November 10th, 2006.): I had gotten him on December 16th, 2002. He was pretty small, but that didn’t last long. He had grown to be such a big boy in no time. I had gotten him and Remi about a week apart. Time went by too fast, but doesn’t it always? He was a Champagne Mitt with really pretty ruby colored eyes. He was pretty much the sweetheart of the group, but he did have his moments of insanity. He loved playing rough. Ferrets have very sharp teeth and thick leather-like skin, which is a convenience to them, but not to us humans! :P He really had a liking for girl's products, such as underwear, and I caught him more than a couple of times stealing make-up bags and all. Hence one of his nicknames being "girly man". :P He loved to hunt down food and other items and then try to hide them from me. He succeeded many of times. When he wanted to come out he would make a mess of his food/litter. He was bratty that way. Like I said, he did tend to play rough, never intending harm or anything. He played with me as if I was another Ferret. He hated squeaky noises, those were his mortal enemies. He'd attack them and hide them. If they were out of his reach he would try his hardest to get it, including using me as a climbing post. Losing Rascle was very hard for me. He was truly a sweetheart who brought so much joy into my life. The way I lost him was more upsetting for me since I didn’t even get a chance to say good bye. He was a unique Ferret, who to this day I still think was a metro sexual, and he was loved by all who met him. I loved him so much and I will never forget him.
Some of his nicknames included: Big boy, Rascle Shmaskle, cutie patottie, Baby boy, Mommy's big boy, Ferret in boots.
Rikku- I got her on January 8th, 2004. She is one strange ferret. I bought her with money I had because I wanted another ferret. It took some time to convince my parents, like it always does. I went to get her. There was a couple buying a ferret as we walked in. There were two left in the cage. I picked the silver-mitt girl I named Rikku. She had eyes similar to Rascle, but as she got older they turned black. I also noticed her nose is getting a dark spot on it. I'm not sure how dark it will get but some silver/silver-mitt Ferrets get full black-like colored noses, so who knows. She's beautiful, a really big cutey. She does give kisses but not very often like the other two. She only gives them to me also. Like the others she'll do a fake kiss, sort of pretend that she's just licking her lips or doing other actions but she's actually giving me kisses. They don't want to give me a big head you know! :D Anyway she's pretty tough for such a little girl. She stood her own against the two big bad ferrets. For some reason she used to scare easily easily. I'd go to pet her, and she'd act freakish and run around and run into things. But then one time she gets her head sucked into a vacuum cleaner and tried to go for it again. She freaking liked it, goodness. I could never go through that again, but for some reason I don't think she'd mind it at all. She seemed to have not been very well socialised when I got her, but she snapped out of that pretty fast. And like I said, she used to be so afraid too, but now she's all over the place and as brave as can be. She's still a weird one, but no longer afraid.
Some of her nicknames include: Rikkula, Rikki, Rik the freak, Rikku the freaku, freak, Rikkuzoid, Rikusuavi, Reek, and Teek. She reminds me so much of Teek from Star Wars. She is so speedy and hyper. Man she flies, it's hard to keep up with her!
Rodney- I got him on June 2nd, 2005. He is a Dark-eyed white. He strikes me as the kind of Ferret that does what he wants, a little dare devil to the extreme. He can fall asleep super fast, and play hard the next minute. He is very friendly, and sweet. He also seems to love interaction with my other Ferrets and myself. He's a beautiful boy. He seems like a little piggy. He had food all over his face when I got him which is very cute in my opinion. He seems to really like Rascle, Rascle will make a great big brother and show him the ropes. :) He's a smart boy and very strong for his age. I loved him from the moment I saw him. :D In the short time I have had him he has grown SO much. I really need to post even more updated pictures of him because it shocks me how big he has gotten. He is now pretty much bigger than all of my other Ferrets. He is a really big sweetie. He loves to play and then sometimes just liked to chill out. He seems to just want to fit in and I'll tell you Remi doesn't appreciate that. He likes attention just like she does and Remi is a big brat when it comes to one of them diverting my attention from her. Anyway, he really loves the air conditioning. He loves laying on top of the vent. I occasionally let the breeze hit my face and he'll trot over and lay either right by me or try to fit himself in the space between my neck and the ground for example. He seems to like cuddling, but he is very hyper at the same time, but I've been working on getting him to calm down. He'll get picked on occasionally mainly Remi but unfortunately for her he is far too big to stay down for long. I think she realizes this, too, but nothing will keep Remi down. :D I think Rikku is a bit upset that she's older than him, but much, much smaller than he is, thus she really can't beat up on him.
Some of this nicknames include: Rod, Rodness, Roddy, Roder(s), little rodney, piggy, (fluffy) Monster
Rodolphus- Biography coming soon.
They are all known as my little stinkers, devils, cuties, the nicknames are endless!
Put them all together and you could have a new show, When Ferrets attack! :P They're individuals and when I let them out, they just love to all go in different directions, which I know they plan. :) Either that, or they'll all gang up on me. If they can find a way into something, they will. They are very intelligent animals. I’m sure any Ferret owner that has really experienced Ferrets could tell you that. I’ve heard them called permanent 2 year olds. Which seems like a good description to me. They need to be watched constantly, because when a human child is at the age of two that is when they start discovering things, that is when they can do a lot more. Ferrets can be very hyper, but they are also extremely loyal and loving animals. Their personalities are amazing, and mine all seem to have their own special quirks, which makes them very unique. They are seriously the most amazing animals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I love them more than anything.
