When ferrets invade!

This evening, I decided to let the fuzz butts have some free time around the house. I usually do this every other day so that they don't become bored with their normal routine. Ferrets are highly intelligent and inquisitive creatures, so you can imagine that they like to investigate everything they come across. Tonight, Poker was the only one up, so I scooped him out of his room and put him the couch. He casually walked across the couch and onto my scrap table where he proceeded to sniff everything. He needs to make sure that everything is organized and in its place!

How can you resist a face like this? He's such a cutie-pie, and he's gotten in his winter coat so he's incredibly soft and furry. Maybe he's a closet-scrapper just itching to make a page!!

Life with ferrets is never dull, and I often get asked a lot of questions about them. So, just in case you were wondering, here are a few facts about these crazy little critters:

• I think the number one question people ask me is, "Don't they smell?" Yes, ferrets have a particular odor, just as any animal does. Many people are used to the smell of dogs and cats and never question it since they are such common house hold pets. The key to keeping a ferret's odor at bay is to wash their bedding and clean their environment. Believe it or not, bathing a ferret often will actually cause them to smell even more since their skin will produce more oils to lubricate their luscious fur. It's a good idea to only bath ferrets once every few months. Also, washing their bedding with a mild detergent once a week will really make their environment smell nice and clean. And most importantly, cleaning up after them is key. All of my ferrets are potty trained and go to the bathroom in their designated potty boxes. These potty boxes get cleaned TWICE a day EVERY DAY.
• Another question I get is, "What are they? Rats or something?" Nope. Ferrets are weasels and are a part of the mustilidae family which includes minks, otters, badgers and wolverines. Mustelids are distinguished by the fact that they have only one molar in each upper jaw, and two at the most in the lower jaw.
• Yet another common question I get is, "What do they do?" Well, ferrets do lots of things! When a ferret is happy, they will do what is commonly called the weasel war dance. It's absolutely hillarious! If you've never seen a ferret dance, then you're missing out! They puff out their fur, open their mouths, and proceed to wildly convulse in a dance of pure jubiliation! Many people who are unfamiliar with this dance of joy might construe this act as one of aggression, but they would be mistaken.
• "Aren't they mean?" is another question I get asked often. No, in general, ferrets are not mean. However, having worked in ferret rescue for over a year, I unfortunately saw the cruelty of people. Ferrets who are abused or harmed will often fear people, and their aggression is an act of defense. I have worked closely with ferrets that are "biters." They eventually stop biting, but it takes a lot of love and patience. "But I've had one crawl up my pants and bite me!" If that's happened to you, you're not alone! Ferrets are by nature tunnel diggers, and if they happen upon your pant leg, they're likely to crawl up and give you a love nibble! Three out of my four are ankle nibblers (which I do hate, by the way!), and the other one would care less!
• Another question I get frequently is, "I want to get a pet for my youngster. How about a ferret?" NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I hate to break it to you, but ferrets are not for young children or teenagers or adults on the go, for that matter. Ferrets require so much attention or they will get bored and depressed. Now don't get me wrong. I have met a few people who manage to handle having kids and ferrets, but that's a few and far between. Think of ferrets as perpetual two year olds with a 5 to 8 year commitment. If you're looking for a pet for your youngster, a gerbil or guinea pig is the way to go.
• "How long do they live?" In general, ferrets live to be anywhere from 5 to 8 years old. I have met a ferret who was 11 years old, but that is certainly the exception to the rule! I also have a friend who lost her ferret to juvenile cancer when he was only six months old, which brings me to their health. Ferrets are very prone to cancer, so prone as a matter of fact that most ferrets die of it. Veterinarians believe that early altering of kits (i.e., baby ferrets) when they are just days old inhibit them from maturing naturally, thus causing an imbalance of hormones that becomes out of whack later in life. Ferrets usually develop either adrenal disease, insulinoma, or both. These two cancers are fatal if not treated properly which now leads me to finances. As ferrets become older and require more veterinary care, be prepared to fork out your scrapping money to take care of them! Because ferrets are considered exotic (even though they are the third most popular house pet in the US), their care will cost you...a lot!

I hope you have a better understanding of ferrets now, even if you don't have them! You should know that ferrets are illegal in the states of California and Hawaii. Why you ask? Don't get me started...!

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to leave a comment, and I will answer your querry to the best of my ability.