While ferrets are probably the best pets in the whole world, there is a lot
of work and responsibility to properly maintain them.  Before you even bring
a ferret into your home, you must be sure to read as much literature as
possible about their care, maintainence, safety, and health problems and
treatments.  You must also completely "ferret proof" your home so that your
little critters will be safe from harm.  Ferret proofing includes:
searching for and repairing any holes in walls, closets, and cabinets (you'd
be surprised at what a ferret can wiggle into); tying up electrical wires
(and put some bitter apple on them so they don't become a chew toy); putting
plastic child protectors in all unused electrical outlets; removing house
plants from reach (many are poisionous to ferrets --put them high up as
ferrets can also be great climbers); removing any vinyl, spongy, or soft
rubber items from a ferrets reach as they can blockages that may lead to
accidental death; keeping doors and windows closed securely when ferrets are
allowed to roam free to play; keeping shoe insoles in a safe place (ferrets
love to steal these and chew on them); and using nonhazardous cleaners in
areas where ferrets are allowed to play (NEVER use Lysol as it could harm or
kill your ferret).
 
Suggestion: I keep my ferrets in a totally ferretproofed room free to roam
all day and night.  They are allowed out of their room to play in other
ferretproofed rooms but only under TOTAL supervision.  This seems to keep
them quite happy as ferrets really should not be caged up for long periods
of time everyday.  They need freedom and contact with people on a daily
basis (these are not hamsters that just stay in a cage and get an occasional
pat on the head).
 
Ferret maintainence includes bathing (with a ferret shampoo not more than
once every 3 weeks or so), trimming nails (which can be a real tricky thing
unless you have ferretone handy!), cleaning ears, brushing, and a yearly
rabies and distemper shot from a knowledgeable ferret vet.  Some people even
prefer to brush\scrape tartar from the teeth of the ferret.
 
Some supplies include: feeding\watering bowls (or water bottle), cage,
nail clippers, a good quality ferret or cat food, blankets and\or ferret
sleepingbags to cuddle and keep warm in, and plenty of cat toys ( NO foam
balls, thin vinyl, or toys were objects could come off and lodge in the
ferrets throat or intestinal track......check toys on a regular basis and
remove those that could become a potential danger).  Ferrets also like to
have occasional treats including ferretone, ferretvite\Nutrical,
ferretbites, and raisins (just don't over do the treat thing....their food
is much better for them then treats).
 
Though ferrets are terrific animals, they can have health problems just like
any other animal.  Ferrets have been known to get different kinds of cancers
(insulinoma, carcinoma, lymphoma), adrenal tumors, cardiomyopathy, kidney or
liver problems.  It is therefore SO important that you educate yourselves on
the symptoms of the diseases, the disease itself, and the commonly used
treatment methods.  Sometimes these treatments or surgeries can be VERY
expensive.
 
All in all, if you do not think your family (especially your daughter)
cannot give a ferret the kind of home, attention, and maintainence it needs,
then it is probably not the best pet for you.  Too many people do not
educate themselves or give the ferret the things it needs and then it ends
up either dead or in a shelter.
 
If you decide that a ferret is a suitable pet for you, I would suggest
adopting some from a local ferret shelter.  Though the ferrets in the pet
stores are small and cute, there are many older and cute ferrets that
desparately need homes and are living in shelters across the country.
 
So, good luck and let us all know what you decide :)
 
Julie and The Fuzz Factory --Misty and Charity
In Loving Memory of Sobriety
 
VIVA LA FERRET!!!!!!
[Posted in FML issue 1581]