FAQ: Christmas with your ferret About this FAQ: This FAQ as been created by someone (me) who was wondering about the danger of Christmas with your ferret(s). This is version 0.1 and it was created by compiling together all the message I got after I asked the question about it on the FML. I want to thanks everybody who replied so far (I cannot name them, as I forgot to ask their permission to use their names!) and I want to welcome you to send more comments, add-on, experiences, etc to my address: [log in to unmask] Starting with the Chrismas tree, from the base to the top: Gifts: Forget it. Tons of report about the fact that ferrets do not respect the "Do not open before Christmas" sign. Take gifts out 20 minutes before opening. Or stack them on a table, away from reach Manger scene: A few report of missing sheeps / lamb figures. But nothing major reported. I guess most of you use ferret proof figures. Electric trains: A couple of good story. Worst case, the train was late! Tree skirts: Should be made of heavy material. Some digging reports. Lots of digging under. Good place to sleep. Stand: A couple of falling tree reported. Get a good stand!. Water: If you use a natural tree, do not add any additive to the water if you cannot ferret proof the base. Ferrets WILL find the water and drink some. In fact, if you let them drink (no problems reported if you don't use additives) then watch carefully as you may have to fill the container more often! Tree: No major problems reported, even with natural trees. Remove sap or pine pitch stuck to their fur with vegetable oil. It does seem to be a good place to sleep as well. (I want more stuff on this section! Anybody got a furball that like chewing them? Damage report?). BTW: Got two reports of ferrets trying to drag the tree away! Climbing: Some odd reports of ferret climing almost all the way to the top. Most reports will give them 2-3 feet max. Some will not climb, but stretch and get whatever they can from the ground. Ornaments: (See Climbing). Avoid any breakable ornaments on the bottom 2-3 feet. Avoid the wire hooks (couple of bad reports). Smaller objects have a tendency to end-up under the couch. They love and destroy the "unbreakable" satin wrapped styro balls (Darn, what else can we use?) Candy canes: They don't finish them, and you'll find them stuck to your carpet! For now, let say we should avoid chocolate until we have consensus on the FML about it! Electrical wiring: Absolutely no bad reports! I guess there's so much to do with that tree that chewing is not fun enough. Using a ground fault plug may still be a good idea. Bulbs/lights: LOTS of reports of ferrets trying to chew/bite them. More fun when they are on or blinking. No breaking reported, but it seems to a common thing... Sorry, but I would leave the lower 3 feet of your tree in the dark! Tinsel/garlands: Reports of some "Flashy" poop found in the litter box. Cannot be good for the stomach! I would avoid tinsel. Some people suggested alternative, but I'll let you use your imagination (I got the usual "popcorn" garland... Sorry, but my ferret would eat this all the way to the top!) O.K. Now we will leave that poor tree alone and talk about the other problems you may encounter shortly! Holiday plants: A lot of them are poisionous! Add to this all the digging. Basically, avoid them! Stockings: Don't forget your ferret. It's not what you put inside that is important... It's the fact that it's a good place to have a nap in, once it is empty! Fireplace: Pretty obvious, but visitors may leave it open for your pet to visit. Guests: Sorry, but you should lock them during your partys. Enough bad reports to justify it. Biting, chewing personal items, stealing, being sat on, step on, kick around. You get the draft. They may not be able to sleep in your size 6 shoe, but your visitor may not like finding a sleeping ferret in is oversize skidoo boots! Ornaments: If you have really nice ones then you may want to hang them on things like chandeliers. They still look good, and they'll be safe! Casualty reports: Stuck turkey bones in the throat. (Two reports) Again, if you find an area that has not been covered yet by this "FAQ" please send me an E-mail about it: [log in to unmask] and I will include it in my next rev. I would personally like to see more story on the tree itself (Natural and fake) as I didn't got a lot of "damage" report for them! And as morbid as it may look, casuality reports, since this is what we want to avoid the most! (In fact, a confirmation about the fact that most Holiday plants would be deadly would be nice too) Thank you. (If it's O.K. with Bill, I'll send this again at the beginning of December) [Posted in FML issue 1389]