About Ferrets

Ferrets are members of the Mustelidae family, which is composed of the weasel, ermine, skunk, badger, wolverine, otter and various other creatures. Scientifically named Mustela Putorius Furo, the ancestors of the ferret are not quite known. Ferrets have never been wild animals and cannot survive in the wild; they are popular house pets.

  1. History

    • Ferrets became domesticated animals even before cats (most likely by the Egyptians). They first arrived in the United States about 300 years ago on ships, and came to the country with the purpose of handling rodent control. The only "wild" ferrets in the U.S. are black-footed ferrets, which are an endangered species and generally reside in Wyoming. Pet ferrets have absolutely zero hunting instinct.

    Types

    • Pet ferrets come in various colors. The original "default" ferret color is albino. However, there are many other common ferret colors, including chocolate brown, sable (these ferrets usually have raccoon-like masks), silver (with smatterings of black hair) and cinnamon. They have various patterns such as "panda" (giving them white heads), mitts (white feet), badger (blaze of white) and Siamese (dark tails and legs).

    Considerations

    • Ferrets require a high protein diet of at least 32 percent. They should eat meat and animal byproducts as opposed to grains. Low magnesium and low ash are also vital to a ferret's diet. Ferrets generally dislike pelleted foods and prefer "shaped" foods. Avoid purchasing grocery store brands of dog and cat food for your ferret, as they are generally low in meat protein. For treats, give your ferrets bananas, peanut butter, grapes cut in half, raisins and unsalted popcorn. Avoid caffeine, chocolate and dairy products as they can wreak havoc on your ferret's digestive system, or even kill him.

    Expert Insight

    • Ferrets are mostly active during dusk or dawn, and sleep for 14 to 18 hours a day. When they are awake, they are very active and full of energy. They are very vibrant, curious and playful creatures. They like engaging in prey/predator games as well as hide and seek. They are also very big nesting animals and will bring items to secret locations, whether they're pizza slices or keys.

    Warning

    • When you have a pet ferret, it is important to be aware that these animals are very fearless, almost to a fault. They should not be allowed to wander freely outside as they can get themselves into dangerous situations and end up in places where they shouldn't be. Their curious nature often leads them to attempt to play or confront larger animals that are outside, such as dogs or cats. Keep your ferret on a H-shaped harness, designed specifically for ferrets, at all times.