No doubt, ferrets are adorable animals and it is easy to fall in love with them. These pets have become very popular, over the past few decades, in fact, in United Nations, ferrets are the most common pet after dogs and cats. Unfortunately, most people do not know much about them unlike dogs and cats. Most of the people are not prepared for how much work, they will have to do after adopting a ferret. So, if you are thinking to adopt one of these cute little creatures, then I want to share some facts about them , which every ferret owner should know :-
1. THEY ARE NOT WILD ANIMALS :-
Ferrets might have only become a cool pet in the last two decades but the truth is that ferrets and humans, have co – existed for thousands of years. Many people thinks that ferrets are wild animals and you should not get one at the home. This misunderstanding may arises from people confusing domesticated – ferrets with the black – footed ferret, which is a wild endangered animal. These animals are completely deviating species. They look almost same and bear about as much similarity to each other as a wild – cat to a house cat. After so many centuries, ferrets are not likely to survive by their own in the wild and they prefer to live with the human families.
2. THEY ARE NOT RODENTS :-
It is easy to see how someone can mistake a ferret for the member of rodents family, but actually they are carnivores that are descended from polecats and weasels. The horrible truth is that these pets are bred to be rodent eliminating machines just like domesticated – cats. So if you keep rats, hamster, mice or rabbit then getting a ferret would not be good idea.
3. THEY ARE VERY SOCIAL ANIMALS :-
Yes, they are quite social animals and they can strongly bond with the human families but one of the biggest mistake which people make, that they thinks that ferrets would not create any bond with them just like a cat or a dog do. But ferrets actually bond with the human families for life time and if you are willing to get one then you have to make sure whether you can make life time long commitment to ferrets or not. As they are social animals so buying them in a group of three or four would be a better idea as you have to give much more time and attention if you are going to adopt a single ferret.
4. THEY ARE NOT AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS HUMAN :-
Many of us have heard a story about domestic ferrets being unfriendly and vicious. But this is absolutely not true as ferrets are incredibly friendly and playful and also they are one of the safe pets unless they have been abused or hurt. They are even able to coexist peacefully with dogs and cats. However, young ferrets like to play rough but this is natural way of interacting of them to each other just like puppies and kittens.
5. FERRETS CANNOT LIVE THEIR LIVES IN THEIR CAGES :-
A lot of the people adopt ferrets thinking that it is like getting a guinea pig and gerbil which can stay in the cages for most of the time, only come out for a while to play whenever it is convenient. But the actual truth is that they need a lot of freedom to exercise, play and roam. They are very high – maintenance animals which requires three to four hours of playtime under supervision, everyday. However letting your ferret to roam freely, like a cat or dog is also not recommended because they get tired easily and can fall asleep after one to two hours of play so they are probably not gonna appreciate the extra freedom. Also it is very difficult to ferret proof the whole house so it is safer to keep them in the cage when you are not with them.
6. FERRETS MUST BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED :-
They must be spayed or neutered just like cats and dogs if you want to avoid any serious health issues. an adulterate male ferrets are more likely to be aggressive, thus they might be more at home with other pets. And intact female ferrets will literally die if they are not bred.
7. FERRETS LIVE ALMOST AS LONG AS SOME DOGS :-
Most of the small animals only live a couple of years but unlike them, ferrets can live much longer. Most of them can live five to seven years but a healthy ferret without any serious health problems can live ten to fifteen years. So ask yourself if you are really ready to make this kind of long commitment. If you have decided to adopt a ferret then you need to be prepared to spend at least almost half a decade caring for them and also sharing your life with these cute creatures. So good luck!