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. (Apologies for the double-distribution in the previous issue. I sent them successive days, but... I'll wait until I see a part before sending the next from now on.) *** PART 4 of LOTS *** - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1.3> What's this I hear about ferrets attacking babies? [begin PG] Like most people, I've only heard rumors about this. I wouldn't be surprised if, some time in the past, a ferret pounced on a young child and either injured it or at least panicked the parents. However, plenty of children have been bitten or attacked by dogs and even cats, yet people don't claim that all dogs and cats are too dangerous for pets. I'm sure the number of people injured by ferrets each year is a tiny fraction of the number wounded or even killed by dogs. Ferrets are unfamiliar to most people, though, so it's easier for them to make sweeping statements on the basis of a tiny amount of rumored information. It is definitely necessary to monitor interactions between young children and ANY pets closely, and to make sure children know the proper way to handle pets. Ferrets love to pounce and wrestle when they play, which may frighten children, and children tend to play rather roughly, which may prompt a more vigorous response from an active ferret than from a typical cat, but I know of no evidence that an unprovoked ferret would tend to be more aggressive toward a child than toward an adult. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2. *** Getting a pet ferret *** 2.1> Which color is the best? Male or a female? What age? [begin PG] As with people, a ferret's inherent personality is more important than color or gender. Nevertheless, there is some thought that cinnamon ferrets tend to be more docile than other colors, probably because it's a recent addition to the list of colors, so most of them have been bred from long-time pet stock. Basically, though, choose the color according to your own preference. There's no consistent personality difference between a (neutered) male and a female. Males are generally considerably heavier, around 3-5 pounds (in the US; European ferrets seem to be a bit smaller) compared to 1-3 pounds for females. Males' heads are usually wider, which can give them a more cat-like appearance. Both genders end up around 15-18 inches long, plus about 6 inches for the tail. If you're getting an unneutered ferret, bear in mind that the cost to spay a female can be higher than the cost to neuter a male. (Unless you're specifically planning to breed them, you will NEED to "alter" your pets -- see question 4.3.) There are two contradictory opinions regarding what age ferret is best for a new owner. Adults tend to be a bit calmer and may already be litter- and nip- trained (see questions 4.4 and 4.5), but they are larger and may have acquired bad habits, too. Kits are very cute, and their small size and (for a young kit) sleepiness can be less intimidating for a new owner, but they require a little more care and training and will become very active before too long. Question 2.4 discusses what to look for in a new kit. [begin MW] [Color] doesn't matter, although silver-mitts tend to be a little more obnoxious (translate: need more attention) than their dark footed friends. [Posted in FML issue 0699]