To Jaclyn who asked:
>Wondering what people's experiences have been with ferrets and newborns.
>We have a ferret and aren't quite sure what to do when we have a baby.
>Honest realistic responses would be appreciated.
 
First of all, with any infant, you keep ALL pets away (cats, dogs, ferrets,
etc.).  It's just common sense.  I know families that get along just fine
with having ferrets and infants in the same household.  When the baby is
sleeping, the ferret gets its play/ exercise time, and not allowed in the
same room with the baby.  The parents have to give their attention/time to
both pet and child.  If you have a toddler, there can be supervision by the
parent or parents with the baby/pet, but this depends on the pet and child.
It has been my experience over the years, that most female ferrets become
aggitated when an infant or young child cries or screams.  I don't know if
the response of the ferret to run at the source of this cry/scream is a
maternal or natural one, or if the ferret thinks the noise is a squeak
toy, or injured animal.  I just took in a young female ferret from a family
who had a 2 yr. old that screamed a lot, and threw items at the ferret.
This ferret is really sweet and well-tempered (not nippy at all) in my
environment here, probably because I don't have any young children.
But with the 2 yr. old, the ferret became aggitated at the child's
screaming/crying, and no doubt upset that the child threw toys and such
at it, so the ferret's response was nipping the child on the ankles.  The
parents really didn't want to give up the ferret, but since they had an
active 2 yr.  old child, the ferret didn't get much "out" time from it's
kennel, and they found it increasingly more difficult to supervise both
ferret and child at the same time.  Being first time parents, especially,
takes a lot of time and effort, loss of sleep, perhaps some stress.  If
you're trying to give your time and love to a pet too, it will take more
time and effort on your part.  Ferrets aren't necessarily that different
than a cat or dog in a household with an infant, but again, it all depends
on the pet and how they respond.  I know some dogs and cats, who are
already established in the household, saw the infant as invading their
territory, and didn't respond well when the infant cried.  Other pets
aren't affected and even become protective of the baby.  But again, there
should always be parental supervision between pet and child until it is
known what the response from both will be.  Young children can be harmful
to the pet just as easily as a pet may be aggitated by a child's
action/response, and become defensive.
 
As with a child, I see having a pet, as a long-term committment too.  If
you plan to have both, then you have to decide how to make that work.  It
can be done, and as the child gets older, the parents can introduce the pet
slowly and responsibly with supervision.  Naturally, you want the child to
respect the pet, and you want the pet to bond with the child, but there's
never any guarantee this will always work.  There are a number of factors
to consider, and questions to ask yourself.  Do you know of any friends who
have babies, toddlers?  I know a couple who had a friend bring her infant
to their house, so the baby was in the ferret's territory.  The ferret
stayed in it's kennel, and the couple watched the ferret's response when
the infant cried, made noises, etc.  You might want to make the effort to
try something like this ahead of time.  My honest opinion is that if you
love your ferret, but want a baby too, you just make up your mind to make
it work.  If you have any reservation about your pet's temperment, the
time/effort/energy you have to devote, then maybe you'll need to find a
good home for your ferret before the baby arrives.
 
Good wishes -  Phyllis
[Posted in FML issue 3067]