Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents

FERRETS AS PETS
Ferrets are charming and unique members of the same family as weasels, mink, and skunks.  They make very good pets, but there are some basic things that all ferret owners should know.

Ferrets are good with children (we have cared for a number of "classroom ferrets" for grade schools), but there have been documented cases of ferrets biting small babies around the face.  We suspect that the ferret is attracted to the smell of milk around the baby's mouth, and the high-pitched sound of the baby may trigger an aggressive response.  It is not recommended to leave any ferret loose around a child of 1 year of age or younger, and reasonable precautions should be taken with toddlers.
Ferrets are extremely susceptible to the same virus that causes Distemper in dogs, and they must be vaccinated regularly.  The domestic ferret's wild cousin, the Black-Footed Ferret, is on the verge of extinction because of Distemper epidemics.
Human influenza virus also causes serious disease in ferrets, so ferrets should not be exposed to humans with flu-like symptoms.
There are several very serious diarrhea diseases in ferrets, so any loose stool should be reported.
The most common problem of ferrets less than 2 years of age is eating undigestible objects.  Ferrets should be supervised, and only allowed to roam in ferret-proofed areas.
Although ferrets are generally hardy and healthy, they do have a number of middle-aged diseases from their 3rd to 8th years.  Diseases of the adrenal glands and pancreas, heart problems, and leukemia are very common.  Your veterinarian will make these diseases the focus of wellness checks as your pet ages.

For more information on ferrets, rabbits, or rodents, go to the menu on the left under "Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents".