| So you have decided to have a ferret as a pet. | | | | a ferret as your pet: |
| This is not an unusual decision as ferrets make | | | | Ferrets are great sleepers and can sleep for 18 |
| great pets and a lot of owners can attest to this. | | | | hours a day. But they will most likely be wakeful |
| Pets have been domesticated for the past 2000 | | | | at the times you are used to feed them or |
| years after all, and were introduced to the North | | | | interact with them. |
| Americas as pets as long as 300 years ago. They | | | | They can be found napping in places you would |
| can be trained just like cats and dogs and make | | | | least expect, so check very carefully behind that |
| for great and joyous companions for the right | | | | cushion before you sit down in front of the tv or |
| kind of household and family. | | | | to read a book. |
| Like any other pets ferrets require the same kind | | | | As mentioned they are very jolly pets to have |
| of attention like exercise, proper social training - | | | | and will play with another ferret (if you bought |
| just like cats they can be taught to use the litter | | | | more than one) without much supervision amusing |
| tray - and veterinary care. | | | | themselves and you. |
| Some jurisdictions do not allow ferrets to be kept | | | | Their lifespan is typically 6 to 8 years and |
| as pets as in the case of New Zealand. The | | | | sometime up to 12 years. With the right care |
| argument against ferrets held by such jurisdictions | | | | (see end of article) there is no reason why their |
| lies in the fact that ferrets do have fairly sharp | | | | typical lifespan can't be extended even more. |
| teeth. But this is something that can easily be | | | | They are kind of blind but make up for it by |
| circumvented using proper training. Indeed ferrets | | | | having a strong sense of smell and hearing. |
| can nip, but only in self defence if, for example, | | | | They belong to the weasel family and are related |
| they are cornered. This is just a natural survival | | | | to mink, skunks, otters and badgers. But be |
| instinct that all animals and even humans have in | | | | aware they are the only member of this family |
| circumstances where a threat is sensed. | | | | (also known as Mustilidae) that are possible to |
| Ferrets are like small children, very playful and | | | | keep and be domesticated. |
| exuberant so if you have both it is a good idea to | | | | Ferrets make for the ideal pet if you are looking |
| closely supervise them when in close contact, but | | | | for an alternative to having a dog or a cat. Like |
| this goes without saying even if they are in | | | | them they can easily be domesticated to become |
| contact with any other pets. For older children | | | | a member of your extended family. And unlike |
| ferrets do, in fact, make really great pets! | | | | cats and dogs, you will not have to worry about |
| Here are also some interesting and useful facts | | | | annoying your neighbours with loud dog barks or |
| you should take into account should you decide on | | | | their garden (and yours) being used as a toilet. |