| They are separated, domesticated species bred for growing at home. Ferret comes from the Latin word "furonem" - a thief, which is very well chosen name having in mind the nature of these animals to take what they find and hide it. They all are coming from the same family ("Mustelidae") - like ermine, weasel, marten, skunk, otter, badger and others. There are rodents and predators.Their domestication began 2000 years ago, first used for rabbits hunting and later for breeding at home. Ferrets are somewhere between the cat and dog. Nature and behavior are close to the dog, but eating and hygiene habits to cats.Intelligent animals that quickly understood and can easily learn the rules of the house. Not all rules and not immediately, but with patience they can even learn to carry a stick. They sleep during most of the day, if you do not bother them, of course, but once you pay attention to them, they are ready for play and fun. They are bred in a cage that has to be large, since your new friend should have enough space for water, food, toilet and a place to sleep and play. The cage is necessary because while you were not at home the ferret must be protected of falls, injuries, electricity and tight spaces that may come to trap and suffocate it.Their diet consists of proteins. They eat only meat because are predators and their digestive system is quite delicate and cannot processed cooked or raw vegetables. These creatures have a weakness for sweet things like ice cream, chocolate, but you must avoid them because, as for all animals and for them, they are harmful.What you need to grow a ferret?The most important thing is to make sure they are the right pet for you and your family!These creatures really are not for everyone. They require certain care and attention. You need to be sure you can spend enough time playing with them outside their "house" and to deal with their training. They are playful and naughty and don't like standing in one place so that if are looking for a pet to hug, you'd better take a cat or dog. They tend to bite during the game when they are small, but otherwise are not more aggressive than any other endangered domestic animals.Their curiosity makes them fearless, but they can get involved in all sorts of situations that are dangerous for them. They should be monitored closely so as not to injure themselves or not to make any trouble. Since they live in holes, their tendency to thrust through narrow spaces can get into trouble and for this before you take such a creature, you must secure your home or initially set a place in which it will play.Domestic plants also should be removed or raised to an inaccessible place because they will suffer from disinterment or will be absorbed and this is not good for your ferret as some ornamental plants are poisonous.You have to choose among different ferret cages , toilet granules, food, vitamins and think of veterinary care. And pay attention that ferret cages are not the same as hamster cages or rabbit cages, they have their specifications conformable with the needs of the animal.Do they smell?All asked that question, I admit that I imagined I couldn't get closer to the ferret, but it's not exactly the same. Yes, it has a specific smell, neither like the dog, nor the cat. Our Gunter underwent a surgery for removing the scent gland and I can safely say that the smell is almost gone, but he is an animal and can not smell like flowers. Castration of males is desirable because of the smell and aggressiveness during the breeding season, but of females is mandatory and life saver. In case of not reaching sexual maturity /about 6 months/, the female that is not mated receives a hormonal imbalance that leads to a disease with poor end. |
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