| The pet ferret is a very popular pet. In fact, in | | | | process amusing or cute, depending on what gets |
| the United States it is the third most common | | | | stolen. A YouTube search will turn up a list of |
| domestic pet. It may not seem like it in many | | | | amusing videos of ferrets stealing things, |
| areas, but it is true. And this is despite the fact | | | | sometimes much bigger than they are. |
| that in parts of the US they are outlawed. Maybe | | | | The baby ferret, also known as a kit, goes |
| that's part of why the attraction is so strong in | | | | through a process known as olfactory imprinting |
| other areas. Because of this wide-spread draw to | | | | for the first year of their lives. They learn to |
| the pet ferret, I've dedicated this article to the | | | | recognize food by smell. After this period they |
| points of attraction or interest surrounding it. | | | | decide that only things with the corresponding |
| The pet ferret legalities seem to rotate around | | | | smells of things they ate in that time period are |
| the controversy as to whether or not it should be | | | | edible. It will become difficult to introduce new |
| considered a wild animal or not. It is considered an | | | | things into their diet after this period. |
| obligate carnivore and in the weasel family. They | | | | Ferrets have very flexible skeletal systems. They |
| are great companions to many adults and kids, | | | | are remarkable escape artists because of that |
| but dangerous around babies. | | | | and their ingenuity. This is in part how the concept |
| Pet ferrets are also kleptomaniacs. Almost every | | | | of "ferret proofing" a room or home came about. |
| ferret owner has at one point complained about | | | | Sometimes they find themselves unable to get |
| not being able to find something due to the | | | | out of something they squeezed into. They also |
| ferret's compulsion to grab and hoard various | | | | have access to many different items due to their |
| items it finds. Eventually you will find their hiding | | | | tendency to escape and their ability to open |
| spots though. Some owners even find the whole | | | | various cabinets and doors. |