FERRET FAQ FOR NEW AND PROSPECTIVE OWNERS
Compiled and edited by Pamela Greene ([log in to unmask])
(version 1.0, 12/15/93)
 
This FAQ is being distributed to the FML in about 20 pieces in order to
encourage your comments and suggestions.  I'd also be happy to send you the
whole file; it's roughly 70kB, but I can split it into smaller segments if
your mailer has problems with large messages.
 
*** PART 3 of LOTS ***
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1.2> Should I get a pet ferret?
 
[begin TC]
If you love animals, and in particular love little playful critters, a
ferret may be just right.
 
Ferrets are small, cute quiet, playful pets about midway between dogs
and cats in temperament.  Their latin name is Mustela putorius furo;
they are in the mustelid family, which is the same family as otters,
minks, skunks, wolverines, weasels, etc.  All of the mustelid family
is born with scent glands at the base of the tail.  The ferret is the
only domesticated member of the family.  [...]
 
Ferrets are often described as kittens that never grow up, because
they are very playful (they leap and dance joyously, with each other
and you).  You can train them to use a litter box.  Some ferrets like
to cuddle with you, and some prefer simply to be near you.  They have
very distinctive personalities.  Ferrets are less destructive than
cats, but love to get in and out of things, so if you keep them loose
in a few rooms of your house, you must set things up so they can not
hurt themselves or your articles (ferretproofing [see question 4.1]).
The only negative thing is they tend to dig at the carpet a bit, but
if they dig in a place you don't want (typically under a door), you
can put down a strip of chicken wire or plastic runner under the door,
and they won't dig much at that.
 
You should be careful if you have small children, reclining chairs, or
large aggressive pets.  Small children and ferrets are both very
excitable, and the combination might produce a crushed ferret [also
see question 1.3].  Reclining chairs are death on ferrets, who like to
crawl into them and go to sleep.  Large aggressive pets may mistake
ferret play for attack, or squirrel chasing dogs may try to eat your
ferret (or get a nasty surprise when the ferret proves tougher than
expected) [also see question 2.6].
 
[begin MW]
Depends.  Ferrets are inquisitive, busy, sneaky, fun to watch/play
with, but also pesky, sometimes nippy [see question 4.4], and into
EVERYTHING.  Whether or not you get a ferret depends on your
ability/desire to deal with some or all of these characteristics
(which will vary from ferret to ferret).
 
[begin PG]
Ferrets live 6-10 years, barring accident or serious disease.  I don't
have much experience, but I've been told that their personalities vary
more than cats' or dogs'.
 
[begin RN]
[About allergies]  Ferrets are small, and nowhere near as bad as cats
in this regard, but from personal experience, people seem to have more
trouble with ferrets than most other small animals, and even more than
with dogs.
 
[begin PG]
On the other hand, many people who are allergic to cats or dogs aren't
allergic to ferrets.  If you think you might be, visit a pet store,
breeder or friend who has one and check.  It's also possible to be
allergic only to males, only to females, or only to unneutered males
or females.  Also note that some people are allergic to the perfumes
pet stores often put on animals, but not to the animals themselves.
 
[Posted in FML issue 0698]