Meat, eggs, and coldwater fish are excellent foods for ferrets; avoid foods that are high in sugar or fiber. Contrary to popular belief, ferrets are not a member of the rodent family. If you do procure a ferret for a pet, be sure you are dealing with a reputable breeder who has records for your animal's vaccinations and any health issues. They have been domesticated for probably 2,000 years or more and were brought to America as pets as long as 300 years ago. Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, 2020, Ferrets. Ferrets need flea and heartworm disease preventative. Ferrets are wonderful, wildly entertaining, and highly energetic animals. An Overview Of Ferret Adrenal Disease. Keeping Ferrets as Pets: 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Get One 1. It is likely that that is how ferrets came to North America in the 1700s.By the 1800s, ferrets were commonly used as pets, and often given as gifts to visiting heads of state. Have a point of view to share? "I have found a lot of people with good hearts and bad judgment," she says, like in the rescue of 200 ferrets that started her shelter in 1995. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Ferrets were rarely kept as pets until the 1980s but are still closely regulated in many areas. Most owners spend around $25 a month on ferret food. Ferrets have a very high metabolism, so they need to eat several small meals throughout the day rather than eating larger meals once or twice. At a pet store, you'll see ferrets in the cages next to other relatively easy-to-care-for small mammals like guinea pigs and hamsters, but don't be fooled. Since they sleep for long stretches during the day, most ferrets don't mind spending time in a cage. She was constantly dealing with the sad situation of wonderful people who really didn't want to give up their animals. Here are some interesting facts about ferrets worth knowing Adult Size: 13 to 16 inches long; weighing up to 3 1/2 pounds, Life Expectancy: 8 to 11 years in captivity. Our new tool will narrow down more than 300 breeds for you. Vetstreet. The reason they do is because by nature these funny little creatures love to burrow. For some, ferrets are a love at first sight. It is illegal to keep pet ferrets in Australia and New Zealand except with a license. Ferrets make interesting pets. Others fall in love when they meet a friend’s ferret or see one online or on television. All rights reserved. Ferrets are playful, mischievous, entertaining little animals who can bring endless enjoyment to a family. Ferrets Aren’t Rodents. Want to give your pup yummy, low-calorie treats? Come and learn over 50 amazing facts about the incredible domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Females ferrets usually grow to 13 to 14 inches long and weigh anywhere from three-quarters of a pound to two and a half pounds. Fun Facts About Ferrets. Ferrets have a habit of digging their food out of their bowls which many owners find a little mystifying! Ferrets are a high-maintenance pet. As a close relative to the weasel, they’re very different than traditional pets. If you have a female ferret and you don’t want breeding, it is a must to have her de-sexed. 2001-2021  And they need a safe place to spend that time out of the cage — ideally, a room that's been ferret proofed, which isn't easy. Not sure about food puzzles? Fact 2: Ferrets are popular pets and are often used in veterinary research. Poor diet and a lack of UVB light are believed to be contributing factors, and some researchers believe the early spaying of ferrets (recommended to prevent aplastic anemia) may also play a role. © Ferret as Pet If you like furry little things that snuggle up to you, play around with you, and are just so cute that you can’t stop the oohs and aahs then, Ferrets are the ideal pets for you. This means you'll need to ferret-proof your house, then go through and ferret-proof it again! People who've found they made a mistake getting a ferret often expected a pet who stays in her cage all the time. Ferrets also require quality cages, which can range anywhere between $60.00 and $500.00 per cage. Ferrets are known as obligate carnivores and must eat nearly constantly. Fact 1: Ferrets are the domesticated version of the European polecat (also known as the ‘common ferret’). Ferrets belong to the weasel family (Mustelidae), which includes polecats, stoats, and ermines. The distant ancestry of the domestic ferret is somewhat of a mystery, although they are very closely related to the European polecat. Adults weigh between 1 ½-5 pounds, with males growing larger than females. Vetstreet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Lianne is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, and freelance writer who's written nearly 400 articles for The Spruce Pets. They’re known to steal and hide small items. While the sausage-shaped, carnivorous ferret might not be the first animal that comes to mind when considering a cuddly pal, millions of people around the world, past and present, have enjoyed the company You can dress them in short t-shirts that make them look like a small baby. Ferret Facts . Most ferrets live for about six to eight years, though some pet ferrets can live up to 12 years. Scientists believe... 2. Just like cats and dogs, ferrets are susceptible to flea infestation and deadly heartworm infection. The practice then spread across Europe. Ferrets natural play includes nipping and training is required to ensure your ferret knows that nipping humans is not an acceptable behavior. Powered by Brightspot. Males smell really bad when they are in heat, so they have to be de-sexed as well. While ferrets love to cuddle and play, they have a naughty side. Here are some of the top 10 facts about ferrets that you should be aware of before bringing them home as your pets. Instead, they need at least 4 hours a day out of the cage. If you're not sure about owning a ferret, or if you live in an area where they are not permitted to be kept as pets, consider these other exotic species: Otherwise, check out other exotic animals that can be your pet. A rather fascinating, amusing and adventurous creature, Ferrets are quirky little animals belonging to mustelid family including weasels, minks, badgers and Wolverine. Ferrets are often compared to cats and dogs. There are often misconceptions about whether ferrets are domesticated, and the short answer is that they are. See Additional Information ›. Most ferrets are sold fixed already – … They are cuddly, interactive, spunky pets who can be great for owners who have time to take them out of their cages every day and play with them. These creatures are smart and curious and can fit through small spaces you might have overlooked. [6] The ferrets run into rabbit holes to run the prey out of hiding. In North America, spayed females are sometimes called sprites, and neutered males are called gibs. That being said, ferrets can make great pets for families with older children provided they are supervised and shown how to correctly handle them. Take our breed quiz to find your next pet. Ferrets have a long history with humans, starting as a hunter’s aid to flush out rabbits and increasingly becoming pets living inside our homes. Grains are not recommended for ferrets since they are difficult for the animals to digest. The result is that many ferrets are surrendered for reasons familiar to any animal shelter: Kids have lost interest or gone to college, or people say they just don't have time. The name ferret is derived from the Latin furonem, which means "thief." Bartonella is a type bacteria that can be transmitted to cats, dogs and humans from exposure to infected fleas and…. Fun Interesting Facts About Ferrets There's no doubt whatsoever that ferrets are some of the most amusing creatures to keep as pets. Courtney Ferrets as pets October 30, 2019 fun facts about ferrets, what are ferrets Thinking about picking up a new pet? Ferrets are a high-maintenance pet. ... Researching and Preparing for a Pet Ferret . Ferrets Are Intelligent. Since food passes through a ferret's digestive system relatively quickly, make food readily available to ferrets all the time; unlike many animals, they rarely overeat. Ferrets belong to the Mustelidae family, other members of which include weasels, otters, and badgers. Ferrets have a reputation for being smelly pets. 5. Some US states require a permit as well, especially for breeding. TAGS; Facts about Ferrets as Pets; To start, let's take a look at some fun, general facts about ferrets! Vetstreet. All rights reserved. Ferrets come from the same family (Mustelidae) as badgers, wolverines, otters, mink, weasels, black-footed ferrets, and polecats.