FERRET FAQ FOR NEW AND PROSPECTIVE OWNERS
Compiled and edited by Pamela Greene ([log in to unmask])
(version 1.1, 1/31/94)
 
This FAQ is being distributed to the FML in 21 pieces in order to encourage
your comments and suggestions.  I'd also be happy to send you the whole
file; it's roughly 75kB, but I can split it into smaller segments if your
mailer has problems with large messages.
 
*** PART 18 of 21 ***
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5.6> What games do ferrets like to play?
 
[begin PG]
Most ferrets enjoy mock combat, chase, tug-o'-war, hide-and-seek, and
so forth, with each other or with you.  Ours love to bounce around on
our fluffy comforter, swat at us from behind the bookcases, and attack
each other through the throw rugs.
 
If your ferret jumps back and forth in front of you or tugs on your
pants leg, he wants to play.  An appropriate response would be to get
down on your hands and knees and chase him around, or to dangle a
washcloth in front of him and start a tugging game, for instance.
 
Ferrets like to jump and climb.  They're good at finding complicated
ways up to desks or closet shelves, but not very good at judging
heights.  Be careful about how high your pet can get, since he may try
to jump down.
 
Ferrets also love to swipe things and drag them into the most
inaccessible location possible.  Protect your keys and wallet.
 
A happy ferret will "dance," flinging himself about on all fours with
an arched back.  Clucking is common too.  Dancing into walls or
bookcases is not at all uncommon, but ferrets seem to just bounce off
of such obstacles.
 
Immediately after a bath, many ferrets pretty much go nuts, thrashing
from side to side and rolling against everything in sight.  Mainly
they're trying to dry themselves, with a good bit of general
excitement from the bath and drying process (see question 4.6) too.
 
5.7> What else should I probably not worry about?
 
[begin PG]
Scratching: Ferrets just seem to be itchy little critters.  If you
     don't see any fleas or "flea dust" (bits of dried blood), it's
     probably not fleas, so as long as the skin isn't irritated or
     balding don't worry about it.
Sniffing/wiping/licking the rear: This is a normal thing to do,
     especially after a bath.  It helps spread the ferret's scent
     around.
 
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6. *** Problems to watch for ***
 
6.1> What warning signs of disease should I watch for?
 
[begin PG]
NOTE: I am not a veterinarian.  I haven't even owned ferrets very
long.  (Dr. Bruce Williams, denoted here by BW, -is- a vet and ferret
expert.)  The following is by no means a comprehensive list of
symptoms of disease in ferrets.  However, some of the more common
problems are often accompanied by these symptoms.  If you notice one
of these, or any other unusual behavior, see your vet.
 
ALSO: Ferrets are small.  While they generally enjoy good health, any
kind of disease or disorder can be fatal in only a day or two, so if
you suspect a problem, see your vet immediately.
 
- Lethargy, lack of playfulness, loss of appetite, dull/glassy eyes,
  limp whiskers, etc.  Symptomatic of a number of problems.  Also see
  question 7.2.
 
- Lack of bowel movement.  If your ferret has gone longer than usual
  without using the litter pan (or some other corner) productively,
  he may have an intestinal blockage.  Certainly by the time it's been
  24 hours you should go to the vet immediately.  Note that a ferret
  can continue to defecate for as much as a day even with a blockage,
  since there's still waste in the intestines to be eliminated.
 
  [begin BW]
  More often than not, [the cause of a lack of bowel movement] is a
  lack of food intake for some other reason.
 
  Ferrets generally go to the litter three or four times a day.
  Owners should look for adequate stools, although some may be a
  little loose.  Also look for string-like stools.  Ferrets with
  intestinal blockages can continue to pass stool which is very thin-
  like a pencil lead.  But adequate ferret-proofing [see question 4.1]
  is much more important than stool-watching.
 
[ Note to FML: This section continues in the next installment, part 19. ]
 
[Posted in FML issue 0737]