Ferret

Overview

The ferret (Mustela furo) is a small, domesticated member of the Mustelidae family - the same group that includes otters, weasels and badgers. It is most likely a domesticated form of the wild European polecat, and the two can even interbreed.

Ferrets have the classic mustelid look: a long, slender body and a curious, alert face. Including their tail, they measure around 50 cm on average and weigh between 0.7 and 2.0 kg. Their fur can be black, brown, white or a mixture of these colours. Males are considerably larger than females.

Ferrets have been kept by people for a very long time - DNA evidence suggests domestication around 2,500 years ago. Historically they were bred for hunting rabbits, a practice known as ferreting. Today they are popular companion animals in many countries, including the UK.

Temperament & behaviour

Ferrets are crepuscular, meaning they are naturally most active around dawn and dusk. In between, they sleep a lot - anywhere from 14 to 18 hours a day - so do not be alarmed if your ferret seems to snooze the day away.

When they are awake, ferrets are lively, inquisitive and sociable. Unlike their wild polecat relatives, which are solitary, most ferrets are happy living in groups. They are territorial, love to burrow and prefer to sleep somewhere cosy and enclosed.

If your ferret is excited, you may witness the famous "weasel war dance" - a joyful burst of sideways hops, leaps and bumping into things, often accompanied by a soft clucking sound called "dooking". This is not aggression; it is a happy invitation to play. Ferrets also hiss when scared and squeak softly when upset.

Ferrets have scent glands near their anus, which they use for scent marking and recognising other ferrets. In the UK, de-scenting is considered an unnecessary procedure and is not standard practice here.

Care basics

Ferrets are obligate carnivores - they must eat meat and cannot digest plant matter well. Specialised ferret food is the best choice, though high-grade cat food can also be suitable. Fruit and plant-based foods are not appropriate and can be harmful to their health.

Ferrets have short digestive systems and a fast metabolism, so they need to eat frequently throughout the day. It is worth knowing that ferrets imprint on their food at around six months old, which can make changing their diet later quite tricky - so try to introduce a variety of appropriate foods while they are young kits.

If your ferret is caged, it should be let out every day for at least an hour of exercise and exploration. They are naturally curious animals and need space and stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

Health awareness

Ferrets are known to be prone to certain health conditions, so it is good to be aware of what to look out for as they get older.

Cancers affecting the adrenal glands, pancreas and lymphatic system are among the most commonly seen health problems in ferrets. Signs that something may be wrong with the adrenal glands can include unusual hair loss, changes in behaviour or difficulty with toileting. Pancreatic issues tend to be more common in ferrets aged around 4 to 5 years.

Some ferrets with white coat markings - such as a blaze, badger or panda pattern, or a fully white head - may have congenital deafness, either partial or total. If you have a ferret with these markings, it is worth being aware of this.

Ferrets can also suffer from viral illnesses such as canine distemper and influenza, as well as hairballs, dental problems and bowel obstructions from swallowing foreign objects. Unspayed females can develop health problems if they are not used for breeding. Regular check-ups with a vet familiar with ferrets is always a good idea.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

Fun facts

The word ferret comes from the Late Latin furittus, meaning "little thief" - a nod to their well-known habit of sneaking off with small objects and hiding them away.

A male ferret is called a hob, a female is a jill, and babies are called kits. A neutered male is a gib, a spayed female is a sprite, and a vasectomised male is a hoblet. A group of ferrets has a wonderfully fitting collective noun - a "business".

Ferrets have played a surprisingly important role in science. They have contributed to research in neuroscience and infectious disease, particularly influenza - making them genuinely useful to human medicine.

Genghis Khan is recorded as using ferrets in a huge organised hunt in 1221. And back in 1390, English law restricted the use of ferrets for hunting to the relatively wealthy - showing just how valued these little animals have been throughout history.

Source

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret