Christmas with your Ferret
    by Lana Bogusz
 
We all eagerly look forward to the festivities of Christmas, the parties,
the gifts, the food and decorations and the tree.  Decorations and tree
?!?  But what about the ferret?  Oh, you can believe your ferret's going
to love the holidays, too.  So, assuming that the little furry devils are
going to make themselves a part of your Christmas what can you do to make
it safe for them and to help preserve some of your precious possessions
(as well as your sanity?)
 
It's safe to say your tree will probably become a ferret playground, so
plan for it in advance.  When you bring your tree home, you may want to
lay it on the floor for awhile before putting it up.  Your fuzzbutts will
enjoy investigating while the tree is safely on the ground.  This will
help take some of the awe out of it when it goes up.
 
Once the tree is up you have many options to ferret proof your tree from
the simple (get a small tree and place it on a table) to the extravagant
(suspend your tree from the ceiling).  If a small tree is an acceptable
option for you and you have a table that is not accessible to your
ferrets, the tree on the table may be the best option for you.  If you're
feeling more creative and would like a larger tree, it is always possible
to use the suspension trick and dangle your tree just out of reach of
your ferrets.  (How brave do you feel?) Remember also to reinforce your
ceiling if necessary.  Those of you with ferret pens may want to put the
tree in the pen and use it to keep ferrets out for a change, not in!
While corralling a tree may not happen in all houses, not all houses
have ferrets!
 
If you want to stand your tree on the ground but not have your ferrets
climb it, you can try to remove the bottom branches of your tree a few
feet up.  The truly brave may opt to tough it out and let the ferrets
play in the tree.  Let's seriously look at this option.  Planning is the
key here.  Most ferrets will not try to climb all the way to the top,
non-the-less it is best to invest in a very sturdy tree stand that is not
tipable.  Many ferrets will be content to play with the toys on the
bottom branches.  Don't forget this when decorating your tree.  Place
nonbreakable, ferret safe ornaments toward the bottom...or better yet,
place ferret toys on the bottom!  It's Christmas for them, too!  Avoid
using wire hooks to hang ornaments on the lower part of the tree.
 
Don't forget that ferrets love to play in water.  The water in your tree
stand is no different.  DO NOT use chemicals in your tree water unless
you can be absolutely sure your ferret can't get to it.  A screen over
the water may help, but don't forget how persistent a ferret can be when
there's a challenge.  If you decide to let your ferret imbibe the tree
water, don't forget to refill it frequently (for the sake of the tree as
well as the ferret).  It should be fairly safe to let them drink the
water as long as you don't use chemicals and you keep it fresh.
 
That pretty well covers the tree, now what about the rest of Christmas.
 
a..  Gifts - Ferrets think all gifts are theirs.  If you don't want help
opening your presents (before Christmas) keep them out of ferrets' reach
'til they're ready to be opened.
 
b..  Packaging - Packaging can be fun to play with, just be careful to
keep styrofoam and plastic away from ferrets.  They can have just as much
fun with the paper and it's much safer.
 
c..  Decorations - If your ferret can get to them, be prepared to play
hide 'n seek.  Remember the "Ferret Creed; If it can be moved, steal it
and hide it!" Keep a close eye on the candles, the flowers, baby Jesus,
Santa, the snowmen, the bells, the ..  Well you get the picture.
 
d..  Candy - Remember keep chocolate away from all animals.  It can be
deadly.  Most ferrets have a sweet tooth but candy is not good for them.
Keep candy out of reach or be prepared to go fishing under the couch for
piles of sticky, half eaten goo.
 
e..  Lights - Lights, especially blinking lights, seem to be lots of fun
for ferrets.  It's probably best to leave the bottom few feet of your
tree in the dark.
 
f..  Wiring - These are ferrets, folks, not rabbits!  Most ferrets are
pretty bored with wires, especially with all this other fun stuff around!
But it still best to keep cords away from the ferrets as much as possible
for safety sake.
 
g..  Tinsel/garland - All animals love to chew on tinsel and garland but
it certainly isn't good for them and may cause blockages.  Natural
garlands are an alternative (popcorn, etc) but that's like writing an
invitation to chew their way to the top!  Again, maybe better off to
start about three feet up!
 
h..  Holiday plants - One word > DIG !  Not to mention many holiday
plants are poisonous to pets and should be avoided.  But then again this
may the perfect place to hang those holiday ornaments you don't want your
fuzzies having access to.  A pretty poinsettia looks great with a
favorite ornament or two when placed on a table, way out of reach of you
ferret!
 
And at Christmas don't forget the stockings.  Fill them with treats for
your carpet shark and after all the treats are gone (hidden) they make
the perfect place for a nap!
 
Remember to be very cautious during the holidays.  There are lots of fun
things for your ferrets to play with but there are also many new dangers.
Don't forget that just because you are careful and aware of your fuzzy
doesn't mean your guests will be.  They are greater chances for accidents
(like a ferret getting out by mistake or stepped on by mistake).  Your
guests may be frightened of your pets or may not appreciate a "stink
bomb" sleeping in their London Fog!  Visitors may not think it's very
cute when your furry thief runs off with their watch or glasses (not
everyone has the same sense of humor ferret parents do).  And playful
nips can be mistaken for something much more threatening.  Please keep
all this in mind this Holiday Season and have a safe, happy and fun
celebration.
 
(c) 2005 Northern Ohio Ferret Association.  All Rights Reserved.
[Posted in FML issue 5103]