Ferret Facts - Characteristics and Diseases Information

Ferret Facts:

 Characteristics and Diseases Information

    An introduction to pet ferrets. This article reveals that ferrets are very unique pets to own. They are named after the Latin word “furonem” which means “thief.” They were named this because of their propensity to hoard and save food and toys in hiding places. Ferrets are now some of the most popular household pets out there.

    Ferrets were domesticated as few as 2,500 years ago. Ever since that time, they have considered humans as part of their social group. They were the favorite pets of the royalty in the Middle Ages for their friendly nature and unique looks.

    Ferrets are part of the weasel family, which can include a lot of members. The weasel family are mustelids. They have over 65 different species of cousins in the weasel family, including otters and badgers. If you were to closely observe a ferret, you will begin to understand how similar they are to these creatures instead of the rodents they are usually contrasted with. Ferrets come in different shades of brown with black highlights although they are sleek and have short fur. There are ferrets which are albinos and they are easily identified by their pink eyes and white fur, similar to other animals which have an albino strain.

    Male ferrets are usually about 18 inches and 2-3 pounds, while females are a little smaller. We still have no clue why ferrets have a tendency to hide and hoard food and playthings. They probably initially started doing it to hoard food for the colder, more lean months similar to how squirrels act. It could be how this trait began, but it is still observed to this present day.

    Ferrets are commonly blamed unfairly for being odorous. This is not the case. They give off a musty scent due to their natural oils, but you can have the glands that produce these smells removed. Most of the time, if your ferret smells, it is a result of their cage being dirty or their owner not taking proper care of them. Should you neglect your ferret's living space or litter box for a number of days, be prepared for the odor!

    Additional care needs to be given to ensure that ferrets do not give off an unpleasant odor and are maintained in tip-top condition. Sadly, they are susceptible to a number of ferret illnesses and their short life spans can be drastically reduced. The diet of the ferret should be very high in fat and protein. They require a diet consisting of 35% protein and approximately 15% fat in order to be well maintained. For the first few years of a ferret's life, you will have to be very careful about what you feed them to make sure that they grow up strong.

    Of course, if you are in a tight spot, you may give your ferret cat food, however, this cannot continue over long periods of time. After all, cat food doesn't have all of the vitamins and nutrients that ferrets need.

    Ferrets are naturally smart and can be taught to perform little parlor acts, but you will need to be patient during training. They love holes as they were originally bred to get rabbits out of their burrows. They are descended from polecats and love to sleep. Usually, a ferret can sleep for as long as 18 hours but you will definitely be in the know when they come out of their slumber! These pets are fun, loyal and smart, making them great animals to have around.