Advantages And Disadvantages Of Having Wild Ferrets

Is a wild ferret for you? You might have to quiz yourself well on that before you head off to the nearest forest and score yourself a brand new wild ferret to have and hold. There are many advantages and disadvantages of keeping wild ferrets, and here are some of the more major things you can expect once you decide to acquire wild ferrets.

Advantages:

More adventure, more fun. People who are just as interested in getting adventures out of their ferrets as much as the wild ferrets are must be open to the idea of keeping them untamed. Wild ferrets are quite exciting to behold, especially for extremists who may find themselves bored with the typical domesticated pet. The good thing about wild pets is that they are extremely resilient and able to bounce back from attacks easily with they speedy and adventurous nature. Their curiosity may also lead to bring you in some surprises you wouldn’t otherwise have had if you had them tamed.

Non-deviation from their natural genetic makeup. The genetic makeup for ferrets is that they roam free and explore unchartered territories fearlessly. Leaving them to their wild side will enable them to do just that. If you are planning to research on ferrets, keeping them wild is the best way to keep them as close to their natural habitat and actuations as possible. This way, learning about your pet is maximized.

Owners will get the chance to see wild ferrets as they are, sans modifications that can be painful for them. Seeing ferrets au naturel has its perk. Modifying ferrets for domestication such as removing their gland (a big ouch for your mammal!) that secretes the offensive musky smell can really alter your ferret permanently.

One can have to option to train them at a later time. Once you have had enough of the adventures or misadventures of your wild ferret, you always have the option to tame them at a later time.

Disadvantages:

Wild ferrets may choose to be free from your ownership anytime. Since wild ferrets are designed to be free from any form of captivity or ownership, they will have no sense of loyalty whatsoever and will be free to roam around to places in any way they choose. If you truly want this whole thing to work, you have to be prepared to lose your ferret over anytime once they decide to break free and change their surroundings.

They have higher risk to diseases and early deaths. Wild ferrets are not regulated in any way. They will eat anything and everything that they see lying around. In fact, even domesticated ferrets still have this as a common cause of death. This risk to early deaths, lack of digestion and poisoning may be heightened. And treating them with a laxative may be all the more difficult if you have not trained your ferret even to get familiar with you to trust you.

They may pose a danger to you, especially to children. If you let ferrets be, they will remain as wild as ever and they may not be the kind of pet you would want to have around when there are many children who can get hurt. Children and ferrets are both playful and grow wild when untamed, and there is no predicting what kind of explosion may occur if you put them together in the same room and in the same condition.

Younger children are at a higher risk of getting bitten because they may not be able to regulate the way they touch your ferrets and the ferrets might interpret the child’s playful cuddling as an attack.

Once you decide to train them later, they may be most resistant to your attempts. Training wild ferrets when old may not be as easy as when you start them out young. You might have to incur additional expenses and few ferret trainers will be willing to get bitten by an old wild ferret for a fee.

Give Your Ferret A Nice Place To Live

The question on where do ferrets live is closely tied to the kind of lifestyle they live in accordance with that area with which they live. This is also a good way for ferret owners to know how their furry creatures adjust to their given environment.

One thing is for sure: ferrets hate roaming around in the same landscapes over and over again, so there must be variety with the places you put them. And here are just some of the places you can consider visiting with your ferret as you aim for this variety:

Ferret Nook Number One: Grasslands

The black-footed ferrets of North America are hinged on this particular environment. Without this environment that particular species will be extinct. If you have a domesticated ferret, they may also have pleasure in roaming around the grasslands, although the pet owner may not exactly be as ecstatic about it, unless he or she is an outdoors person.

The thing with grasslands is that there is much adventure on the part of the ferrets, they blend better with its surroundings because of their built and there are lots of yummy food for them to eat (they are carnivores, by the way). So it is really very beneficial for your ferret if you take them to the grasslands once in a while.

Ferret Nook Number Two: Forests

Forests are also an interesting spot for ferrets. The wideness and vastness of forests and the numerous details that make it worth exploring with their furry feet makes it a paradise for ferrets. Wild ferrets can mostly be found in forests, where they are more able to withstand the perils of encountering their mean predators such as snakes and hawks.

Ferrets are fairly comfortable living in forests. It is already in their genes to walk around a lot in wide open spaces and put themselves in burrows or other enclosed spaces where they can retrieve something that they deem valuable.

Ferret Nook Number Three: Cage or Box

The cage or box is a pleasant home for the domesticated ferrets. They will behave well in it under the premise of proper and patient training of pet owners. The good cage or box also has room for many ferret toys or small holes with which they can snuggle up in to. The more the cage simulates the natural environment that a ferret likes, the better and more likely it is that they will welcome it with open arms. Ferrets are known to rest easy on their cages during the day and likes to roam around at night.

Ferret Nook Number Four: Open Playground (Domesticated)

An alternative to having a large cage for the ferrets would be to put them with other ferrets and put them in some form of playground filled with open spaces and holes or simulations of burrows. They will be very happy to play in it, though the younger or newer ferrets may have to undergo the initiation that senior ferrets may impose upon them.

Some minor biting and struggling may be imminent, but it’s just part of the growing pains of ferrets. Ferrets combined in playgrounds also tend to form their own colonies and they love exploring and moving together in the vast spaces. Eventually, when the playground becomes stale and familiar to them, they will get bored, grow restless and seek other pastures.

What To Feed A Ferret

Ferrets have a unique diet compared to other animals. This is because they need one that is rich in protein and low in fat. Aside from that, it must also not be rich in carbs and sugar.

Perhaps the best one to buy in the market is Totally Ferret. The problem is that it is not always available in the market. As a result, owners have to switch to something else like cat food and some examples of these include Iams, Science Diet and Pro Plan.

The products mentioned are not soft cat food which does not contain less protein that has the tendency to lead to tooth decay. Although these are quite expensive, buying an 8 pound bag of any of the brands mentioned will last up to 2months.

But ferrets in general are carnivores so when you feed them, make sure that you are using two types of food at all times ideally meat and poultry. This will prevent them from being stuck on only one type of food so they won’t have a hard time adjusting later on.

Aside from food, you should also give your ferret supplements. Examples of these include Ferretvite and Ferretone but only in moderation.

Using the right food will prove to be worth it when you notice that your ferret is very energetic and their coat are in excellent condition. Of course, you will still need to groom it by combing the hair and giving it a bath every so often because they tend too smell when they get dirty.

Once in a while, it wouldn’t hurt to feed your ferret some small pieces of fruit and vegetable. The same goes with sugar free cereal. This must never be given in large quantities as this causes gastrointestinal upset, a possible blockage and even malnutrition.

As your ferret grows older, you should change their diet to kitten food because studies have shown that these too much protein may cause kidney problems. This should only be given if ever your ferret is recovering from an illness or has undergone surgery.

Some ferret owners believe that a raw food diet may also work. One good example is raw meaty bones which, helps prevent tartar from forming on the teeth and also provides calcium in their diet. Because of this diet, you will have a more active ferret around the house that has excellent coat condition. You don’t have to clean up that much after your pet because it also decreases the stool volume as the food ingested is absorbed by the body and their natural scent is greatly decreased.

Those who want to try the raw food diet should not be worried if ferret’s stool turns white to a grayish color because this is only temporary and will soon return to normal. Since it takes time for the pet to adjust, you can mix it with ferret food that can be purchased from the store then gradually decrease this with raw bones from either meat or poultry.

Knowing what do ferrets each is just one of the many steps for those that want them to live for a long period of time. Proper care, attention and love are also needed because these creatures are great to have when you need a friend to take your worries away.

The Different Types of Ferrets

There are two types of ferrets found in North America. You have the domesticated one called the Mustela putorious and the wild one called the mustela nigripes. Both of which are closely related to the weasel family. Now let’s talk about these two in more detail.

The domesticated ferret has been treated as a pet for more than a thousand years. They are no longer suited for life in the wild and were used to kill rats or assist the hunter in searching for rabbits hiding in the burrows. These days, they are simply kept as pets while some are used by institutions for scientific research. One example is to produce vaccines for farm raised mink.

This type of ferret descended from the European polecat. It comes in different coat colors and patterns but this has not changed much due to selective breeding. You might see some domesticated ferrets that are albino in color with yellowish white fur, pink eyes, nose and claws.

The difference between the domesticated ferret and the Polecat is that the latter is slightly smaller. They are also polygamous and usually produce one to two offspring that is about six to seven litters per young a year over a 42 day gestation period. In terms of gender, the male is much longer and heavier than the female.

One example is the Angora ferret that has very long fur. It is rarely seen or even owned because it is very hard to breed.

The domesticated ferret is very popular because it is friendly, intelligent, playful and sociable. You can adopt one from a shelter or buy one from a breeder and then enjoy its company for many years to come.

The wild ferret is bigger than the domesticated version. One example is the black footed ferret that is now classified as an endangered species. The number has drastically dropped as a result from human destruction of prairie dog populations and their habitat.

You won’t miss seeing the black footed ferret because it has a yellowish buff coat that becomes brown on the top of the head and along the back. Its feet and legs on the other hard are black and you might mistake it for a raccoon. Just the same, the males are bigger than the females and this creature is nocturnal.

Domesticated ferrets eat poultry and meat products that are given by their owners. Wild ferrets on the other hand have to hunt for food and prey on prairie dogs. Once the pack has been depleted, they will move on to another in order to survive.

Now that you know the two basic types of ferrets, you won’t have a hard time identifying them. If you want to own a ferret, you will have to settle for the domesticated type. You should be ready to spend your time and your money so it will be able to live for 8 years or more. Some of the things you will need to buy are a cage and food.

You will also need to have the ferret vaccinated annually as this is required by law to prevent the spread of rabies in case this creature bites anyone.

One misconception about ferrets is that they are often referred to as rodents. This must be corrected because they are cute, furry and intelligent mammals.

How To Train A Ferret

Training ferrets is both a daunting and exciting task. You never know what you’ll exactly get from doing so, but if you are a true blue ferret lover, you know that every drop of perspiration is truly worth it.

Fabulous Ferret Training Tip Number 1: Easy does it.

There is a heavy excitement and set of expectations that besets every eager ferret owner, but if you really want to keep the training into a positive experience, easy definitely does it. If you rush your pet to do tricks even for a single second, they will have it etched in their memory and may not be as open for new tricks the next time you try to teach them. Develop the relationship and enjoy each stage.

Fabulous Ferret Training Tip Number 2: Do it out of genuine love.

Ferrets are lovable creatures with high instincts. If they feel threatened in any way, they will quickly scurry off your grasp and you will be back to square one in the training process. Save yourself some heartache by ensuring that the training is not mainly performance- based but something that you will do for free and genuinely out of love for your pet and the desire to have it belong in your household in the best possible way.

Fabulous Ferret Training Tip Number 3: Get some tips from experts.

Experts may have their own tricks up their sleeve with regard to training ferrets. There is much risk and many things could go wrong as you train your ferrets. Having someone older who can readily help you with the training can be of substantial importance. Aside from this, the ferrets themselves may also do well to have a senior ferret accompanying them as you train them. This way, they will have a fellow ferret to emulate. Just make sure that the senior ferret is trained well and advanced.

Fabulous Ferret Training Tip Number 4: Brush up on your background knowledge.

Hate biology? Well, if it’s for your ferret, you need to brush on some of the basic things you need to know about your ferret: color, type, age, behavior and other idiosyncrasies included. This background knowledge will save you time and will answer most of the questions you can encounter as to why your ferret responded a certain way when you did something.

Fabulous Ferret Training Tip Number 5: Have a constant time and place for training.

Consistency will condition your ferret best. Have a constant time and place for training. Associate it with the indoors or your home if possible so that the ferret will be conditioned to be at their best behavior at home. Once they have mastered the tricks at your specified place, slowly deviate and have them do the tricks at another place so that they can be more versatile in their learning.

Fabulous Ferret Training Tip Number 6: Develop an instinct for your ferret trainee.

If your ferret is sick, under some form of attack or unusual condition, they may not be open for training. Heighten your senses and be attuned with your pet’s pain tolerance. Though they are generally strong creatures, have regular checkups with the veterinarian to ensure that they are fit and ready to be trained with new tricks. The adjustments may take a toll on them, considering the fact that these ferrets are naturally wild.

There are no clearcut rules in training ferrets. In fact, there may even be unexpected events that can occur midway in your training. Despite the desire to achieve results with your ferret, do not sacrifice important things such as health and ability to roam free at dusk or dawn. This way, they will be as happy as you are in training them and making them into better pets.

Ferret Regulations

Ferrets are considered to be exotic pets and it is only legal to own one in 48 states. This is because some people are concerned about their unpredictable behavior, which in some cases have led to unprovoked attacks against humans.

But in general, local authorities meaning the city or the county government can decide to follow these guidelines, make stricter rules or not agree with it. Two states that prohibit ferrets as pets are California and Hawaii.

So you know if you can own a ferret where you reside, you should get in touch with your wildlife and game department to obtain a current copy of the ordinances. In some places, you will be required to get a license. Remember, that ignorance of the law is no excuse when you get caught.

In states that allow you to have ferrets as a pet, you have to comply with some general laws as well. First, your ferret must be vaccinated against rabies by six months of age using the USDA licensed rabies vaccine. A copy of the vaccination certificate must be filed with the clerk of the city or town within 30 days where the ferret resides. Lastly, rabies vaccination must be administered annually.

People who want to own a ferret may do so as long as it is neutered or spayed at the time this was purchased. It should have also been given inoculation against distemper and a copy of this should also be kept when this is asked for by the authorities.

For breeders, the person can only do so by obtaining a license from the local gaming and wildlife department. This has to be renewed annually and when the offspring are sold to the public, they also have to be neutered or spayed before the sale is made.

Schools or research institutions may acquire a ferret for scientific study provided breeding shall not be offered for sale or trade.

In the past, ferrets were used to assist hunters go after other wild animals. Another provision states that it is unlawful to do so through the use of a ferret.

If ever the owner does not want to keep the ferret anymore, the person is not allowed to release it into the wild. It is also prohibited to sell these to the pet shop. The best thing to do will be to turn this over to an animal shelter so this can be given a better home.

But on a lighter side, what should you do if ever you have a ferret? Owners should always give them the right food consisting of those rich in protein and low in fats to make them healthy. Water should be given using a bottle or a bowl so they do not get dehydrated.

The owners should also be sure that the ferret leaves in a safe environment. This can be done by letting the ferret stay in a cage and making the place ferret proof so they do not injure themselves or cause damage to your house.

Ferrets will sometimes get carried away and do some bad things. When this happens, you must never hit them and instead find a more constructive way of telling them that they should not do it again. Most importantly, love your ferret because when you do, they will also love you back.

Angora Ferret Basics

There are different kinds of domesticated ferrets. If you want something exotic, why not try the Angora ferret?

The angora ferret began in Sweden when a breeder noticed a mutation among his ferrets as they produced longer hair on the hind legs and rear part of their bodies. The offspring were then sold to another breeder until they found their way into the US.

It is very challenging to breed an angora ferret because it requires 10 short hair ferrets that each carries the desired gene. This means that along the way, several variations are created.

Marc Morrone is the only breeder in the US that sells angora ferrets coming from Europe. If you are interested in getting one, you should get in touch with him. Be prepared though to spend a few more dollars given that they are imported.

If this is way beyond your budget, try your luck in an animal shelter. Who knows? Perhaps someone who owned one in the past decided to give it up.

When you are looking at the angora ferrets on hand, pay attention to their eyes and their behavior. If they are bright and they are very friendly, then this is probably the one you should bring home with you. Make sure that you already have a cage to house them so they have their own space when it is time for them to go to bed.

This should be big enough for them to move and play around in especially when you also have to buy a few toys for them to play with.

Aside from a cage, you should ask Marc Morrone tips on taking care of this mammal. Just like other pets that you have had in the past, there are some do’s and don’ts that you have to follow so that there won’t be any problems between you and your new friend.

You will probably be told to follow a strict diet consisting of meat and poultry products since ferrets prefer a meal that is high in protein and low in fat. You must never feed them anything that is rich in carbs or sugar and those that are intended for other animals.

As the angora ferret grows older, you can substitute its diet with bones and other items as their need for protein decreases.

It will also be advisable to ferret proof your home so they do not cause any damage or hurt themselves. Since they are quite small and they might take a nap just about anywhere in the room, check under the cushion of the couch before you sit down.

Don’t forget to bring the angora ferret to the vet for its annual vaccinations to prevent the spread of rabies or having it succumb to illness.

The angora ferret can also be toilet trained so they won’t dump their waste on your carpet. It is also possible to teach them to do a few tricks which will surely amaze those who get to see your new pet.

Everyone deserves to have a pet. Sure, you can settle for a dog, cat or a goldfish but it is nothing compared to the love and playfulness of a friendly and sociable exotic little creature like the long haired Angora ferret. If it is legal to own one where you live, by all means go ahead and get one.