Q: "I have two ferrets....one plays all the time but the other only plays
    a little then goes to sleep. Is this normal?"
 
A: You are asking ME if something is normal??  An admitted reader of
   rec.music.dementia and listener to Barnes and Barnes?  Wow!  Miracles
   happen!  (yeah)
 
In a room full of people, how many act just like you?  Excluding drama
students or politicians, in most groups, the answer would be, "Not many."
However, if the question was, how many people have SOME of your behaviors,
all would qualify.  That is the difference between inherent species
behaviors and individual variation, and is what makes the evolutionary
world go round and anal conformists mad.
 
Ferrets are no different than ANY other mammal in the respect that they
inherit a genetic disposition towards specific behaviors, but individual
variation makes some ferrets display those behaviors more strongly than
others.  For example, one ferret may only make the "dooking" sound on
occasion, but another ferret may make it each time it plays.  I have 20 of
the little suckers, and not one acts exactly like another.  They are all
unique in their likes, dislikes, behaviors and temperment.
 
However, there are two things you should think about.  First, behaviors
change as a result of aging, hormone fluctuation, sexual readiness, injury,
disease, environmental stimuli and stress.  I would suggest it would be
important to determine if this is a behavior consistent with the history of
your ferret, or if it is the result of some disease.  Many ferrets become
quiet and not very reactive with even minor illnesses.  I would rule out
those possiblities, insure the ferret is well stimulated and exercised, and
if nothing is wrong, you can probably be safe in assuming your ferret is
much like my Stella, who defines lackadaisical.
 
Q:"In many of your posts, you come out against cages.  What is wrong with
   cages and on what do you base that opinion?"
 
A: All my basic decisons are based on binary; yes or no.
 
Actually, I'm NOT against cages, although my ferrets are free-ranging, so
to speak.  What I am against is 1) a lack of intellectual, emotional and
physical stimulation, 2) a lack of meaningful exercise, and 3) a tendency
to think that because ferrets can ADAPT to a situation, it is good for
them.  In all honesty, who cares if a ferret is in a cage for most of the
time, so long as those three challenges are met?  I don't, because I know
the ferret would be sleeping most of that time anyway.  Cages can be very
good for the ferret; I use a hospital cage for example.  I also cage my
ferrets once a week so I can clean the carpets without worry of sucking
one into the wet-vac.  And I use a small cage for transportation, etc.  So
I am not against the use of cages at all.
 
(WARNING!! The following paragraph contains several generalizations)  One
of my biggest beefs with pet stores is their recommendation of cages that
are clearly too small for ferrets, often included in a package deal for
new owners.  Often these cages are uninteresting, sterile environments
that prevent ferrets from engaging in the normal rough housing that builds
strong bodies and relieves stress.  This type of an environment is BAD for
the ferres.  Now, before anyone elects to argue that cages don't cause
problems, let me warn you that I have gobs of high-powered references and
I'm not afraid to use them!  Grrr.
 
Responsible cage use, in which the ferret's needs are met on an
intellectual, emotional and physical basis, combined with the right amount
of out-of-cage time can not only be healthly, but in many situations,
preferable.  This is especially true in situations where the ferret is left
alone for lang periods of time, where the home environment cannot be
adequately ferret-proofed, and where other pets can be at risk (or cause
risk).  In short, cages are fine when the owners are responsible.
 
Q:"When my ferret goes potty, it stinks really bad for about 10 minutes....
   it makes my house stink."
 
A: And you don't need to burn incense from time to time?
 
I have two stinky poopers.  Assuming your ferret is not descented, what
you are probably smelling is anal sac secretions, which are used to mark
latrine sites.  This is an evolutionary behavior and impossible to prevent;
the sac oozes musk with each do-do.  Ferrets use do-do to mark their
territory and latrines are commonly found at the limits of the range, which
is one reason ferrets use corners.  Ferrets also wipe their bum on the
ground as well, to spread additional musk.  From time to time, the anal
sacs can squirt out more musk than typical, making the do-do event stink
with a passion.
 
The danger you need to be aware of is the possiblity that one of the anal
sacs might be blocked or infected, which could cause an abnormal smelling
musk, or the occasional super-secretion.  Check the area around the anus
for signs of swelling or redness, or anything that doesn't look quite
right, and immediately see a vet if you suspect something (not that it is
particularly life-threatening; just imagine how you would feel...).
 
Some diseases can directly or indirectly cause either an over-stimulation
of the anal sacs, or actually change the odor of the do-do.  If your ferret
has been descented, rule out the possibility of disease.  Finally, much of
what you smell can be a result of diet.  One of the reasons kibbles are so
popular is because they don't result in poopies that stink much.  Mink
diets can be very good, but the waste products are nearly toxic, up there
with do-do from small children subsisting on a diet of milk products and
play-doh.  A change in diet may solve the problem.  Personally, I use a
heated ceramic pot which holds those waxy purfumed air-freshner thingies.
I mix apple and cinnamon, and put one near each litter box.  Ozonium or
citric sprays work quite well.
 
Bob C and 20 Mo' Phert Poofers
[Posted in FML issue 2520]