> Hello!  I am considering getting a ferret(s) in the next few months
> but wonder if y'all could help me out with a couple questions-- first,
> somebody mentioned that they are illegal in NYC, but does this apply
> to the boroughs (specifically Queens)? Or is this just considered NY
> state and a permit is required? If I need a permit, how hard and/or
> costly is it to obtain one?
 
Mel, as far as I know, "illegal in NYC" includes all the boroughs, but I'm
sure I'll be corrected if not.  (Jeb? Bill?)  I do not know the procedure
for obtaining a permit in New York State.
 
> Secondly, do they get along well with cats if they are introduced to
> each other at a young age? What is a good age?
 
Everything I've heard and read indicates that ferrets and cats can live
together perfectly peaceably, and will even play if introduced at an
early enough age -- I'm talking about the cat's age here, as ferrets
aren't afraid of cats a-tall.  Make it a slow and careful introduction and
make sure they (especially the cat/kitten) have time to get used to each
other.  It might be helpful to give them both baths before meeting, as it
will put them on equal footing, scentwise. :-)  And then supervise their
time together until you're sure they get along.
 
> I guess you could say that I'd
> welcome any "starter's tips" at this point, and I will be reading this
> list religously to pick up any info.
 
Check the header at the beginning of this list for instructions on how to
send for the Ferret FAQ for more info. I'd also recommend the book
"Ferrets," by Chuck and Fox Morton (Barron's, 1985) as a good overall
explanation.
 
Good luck!
 
> From:  CT Hart <[log in to unmask]>
[deletions]
>  My little guy is a Marshall Farms ferret, and he seems perfectly fine.
>  Perhaps a touch near-sighted, but I'm not even sure of that...
 
Heck, ferrets have never been known for their sharp-sightedness, anyway! :-)
 
>  How old does a ferret need to be before some of these genetic problems
>  begin to surface?  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the information
 
There doesn't seem to be much of an age pattern, from what I've read and
heard.  I understand that ferret lympho patients are older, but Bandit was
diagnosed with it at 3-1/2.  (He's a Path Valley ferret, btw)
 
>  exchange that happens here, but reading this mailing would give a person
>  second thoughts about owning one of these adorable creatures.
 
Considering the number of people who get ferrets on impulse (only to
realize they're not no-care pets), that's not necessarily a bad thing.
I'd rather someone think second and third thoughts before getting a
ferret, rather than buy one on first thought and find out they can't deal
with it.  We got our third ferret, Charlie, that way -- someone who was
just *dying* to get a ferret, whose boss called me after only two weeks
and said, "would you *please* take this ferret off my employee's hands?"
Ferrets are wonderful, but, I've come to the conclusion, they're not for
everyone.
 
>  Sounds like a good argument for something I've seen a number of the
>  pet shops out this way doing...  They supply a free vet visit or two
>  with the purchase of a ferret.
 
That sounds like good policy for any pet store, any pet.  It certainly
would indicate confidence in the health of the pet, and the availability
of a vet to take care of it.
 
>  All this constant talk about feline food...  Doesn't anybody use
>  "ferret food"?  There are several brands sold in Colorado, is there
>  something I should know about using this stuff?
 
I think it's mainly because ferret food is hard to find in many places.
Also, apparently once most ferrets have had cat food, they get finicky
about ferret food.  Apparently it's not as tasty as cat food!  If yours
eat ferret food without complaint and you've got a good supply, that's
great!  Ferret food has a higher percentage of animal protein, which
ferrets need, than most cat foods.  (Not surprisingly, ferret food also
costs more than cat food.  I'd be happy to pay the premium, if I could
find a steady supply, and my guys would eat it.  As it is, whenever we can
find it, we get it and mix it with the cat food.)
 
>  - I read something here awhile back that mentioned "declawing" - is this
>    a common practice?  My old roommate's declawed cat seemed perfectly
>    healthy and happy, what is the general belief about this in terms of
>    our little friends?
 
No, declawing ferrets is NOT a common practice.  I don't know any vet that
it?  Unlike cats, ferrets can't retract their claws.  Declawing a cat is
like amputating the tip of a finger (and is controversial enough).
Declawing a ferret would be much more involved, and would (it seems to me)
have much more potential for harm to the animal.  Ferret claws are more
like fingernails.  Think of it that way.  (shudder) I'm happy to clip my
carpet sharks' claws, and be done with it.
 
> I just want to verify that the posting about Ferretone being an 8-in-1 product
> is correct (the poster was not sure).  That same posting said that Ferretone
> has slightly more vitamin A.  Actually, Ferretone has *MUCH* less vitamin A
> (something in the magnitude of 3 or 4 zeros difference).  The old limits that
> were recommended for Linatone were primarily because of the extremely high
> vitamin A content.
 
That was me.  I *know* Ferretone is made by 8-in-1, what I wasn't positive
about was Lambert-Kay being the maker of Linatone.  If Ferretone has less
vitamin A than Linatone, I stand corrected.  The label on my bottle is
unreadable these days.  :-)  I still prefer to be cautious and only use
the stuff as a treat or bribe, though.
 
In other news, Bandit had his ultrasound and charmed the socks off
everybody at *that* animal hospital.  We're waiting to hear from Dr.
Jeglum once she's talked to the sonogram specialist.  Seems hopeful -- he
told Jeff that Bandit looked great!
 
Katie, Jeff, Bandit, Molly, Charlie, Pogo & Sigmund
 ---------------------
Katie Fritz
Small Mammals Section Leader/CompuServe Pets Forum
Internet: [log in to unmask]  CIS: 71257,3153
 
[Posted in FML issue 0452]