So, you want to buy a ferret?

 

Good Morning. Welcome to Friday and another fun show with Tonks and Mina. Today, the ladies will discuss what people should do before owning a ferret. Of course, this is just their opinion, but I would recommend studying. Call the local ferret shelter and ask them a few questions. After all, who would want you to succeed more than the shelter? So, without further ado, enjoy the show. 

Obi Ferret 

T. Good morning, and welcome to another fantastic Friday edition of Tonks Talk. Good morning, Mina.

M. Good morning, and good morning to everyone. Do you know what Obi and Daddy are up to lately?

T. I'm sure it will have something to do with Cinco De Mayo, a Mexican holiday.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo

M. You are probably right. I wish those two would grow up. (Daddy and Obi feign great insult at this, and Mina rolls her eyes as Tonks laughs.)

T. (Looks excitedly at Mina.) I hear you have a big surprise for us today, 

M. (Looking gleeful, Mina replies,) What would you say to someone if they told you they wanted to get a ferret? 

T. (Looking surprised.) I'm not sure, as so many things come to mind.

M. (With a triumphant look) Exactly! So, on today's show, we will examine the many things someone should do before getting a ferret.

T. (Clapping) Wonderful subject, and I can't wait to start.

M. Well, I wanna buy a ferret!

T. You wanna buy a Ferret? What do you know about Ferrets?

M. They're fuzzy and cute, silly and crazy, and love to make you laugh. (Sound of a record stopping.)

T. (It almost looks sad.) If that's all you know, don't get a Ferret, at least not yet. I would recommend you take some time to read about Ferrets. We are not your average pet, and we really aren't for everyone.

M. But I thought I was cute and cuddly?

T. (Sighs) You are dear. It's just that Ferret's idea of cuddling is a little different than what humans think.

M. (Laughs) I see what you mean. Can you imagine if Humans ran around greeting each other by biting the backs of other necks and doing the alligator roll? It would look like a zombie apocalypse. 

T.(Laughs as well) I'm not sure I've seen a movie with the zombie alligator roll move. Moviemakers take notice. Wink, Wink.

M. (Back to a serious face) So where should I start for information? 

T. ( In an equally friendly but serious tone) So, three resources come to mind. Two I believe are essential, and the third I recommend. First, the Essentials. Buy a copy of the book Ferrets for Dummies by Kim Schilling. https://www.amazon.com/Ferrets-Dummies-Kim-Schilling/dp/0470139439

M. (Tilts head) If that book is so good, why would I need anything else?

T. (Gives a nod of approval to the question and smiles) if you included everything someone would need to know, the book would be like one giant scientific Encyclopedia. And only weirdos Like Obi, Daddy, and some of Daddy's co-workers like to read books like that. (An interruption from the back of the room catches Tonks' attention.) Sorry, Remus, I didn't mean to leave you out. (Both girls laugh)

M. (Still giggling.) Just call them "Nerd" Books. (Both girls laugh again.)

M. (Composed, starts back in on the conversation.) I guess that makes sense about the book. So, what else should I get?

T. On the internet. Search everything you can about ferrets that the book doesn't answer. Join Ferret groups on your social media

M. So, what is the third thing?

T. Simple. Call the local or closest ferret shelter to you. Tell them you are considering getting a ferret and ask what advice they could give. Of course, there is more material you should get, but that's if you decide to get one. Especially a training aid like the book Don't Shoot the Dog. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Dont-Shoot-the-Dog/Karen-Pryor/9781982106461

M. (Sighs) That seems like a lot. 

T. (Nods) We aren't simple pets. We aren't really like dogs, sorta like cats, but not. I guess like foxes, no, not foxes. But, yes, we are cute, like Otters. Oh! I know. Badgers. We are more like the Honey Badger because we don't give... ( Daddy cuts in and says.) 

D. Tonks. Stay on track, dear. (Tonks blushes and apologizes, and Obi laughs. Mina quickly comes to the rescue.)

M. (Folds her front legs crossways) I agree with Tonks. ( Daddy sighs. Mina turns back to Tonks.) So Why call the shelter? 

T. (Other than a slight twitch of the left corner of Tonks' mouth, you wouldn't know she was just so caught by surprise.) The Shelter will be able to assess your Ferret knowledge level and help fill in the blanks. The Person who runs the shelter should also be able to lead you to some of the best current material to read before deciding to buy. They can also introduce you to ferrets so you can get a better understanding of their natural history and behavior.). Also, Like Daddy always says. That shelter doesn't want to see that animal return, so they try to set it up for success with the right people. 

M. (Looking shocked) The shelter does all that?

T. (Giggles, but then remembers and stops.) I forgot that you wouldn't have heard all the questions they ask and answer because you can't hear. It just so happens that I sat down with Melanee Ellis the other day. She is the shelter mom for Lane Area Ferret Shelter and Rescue (Https://www.laneferrets.org/), and this is what she had to say.

Please let them know they need a savings account for future vet expenses. Ferrets can get expensive, as you well know! Also, ensure they find a good veterinarian before getting a ferret so they know where to go before their little one gets sick. It is also advantageous for them to know if the emergency vet in their area sees ferrets. Melanee Ellis

T. Melanee also recommended Ferrets for Dummies, third edition.

M. WOW! That savings account sure is good information. I didn't realize we were so expensive.

T. That's only scratching the surface, so let's get into what it means to own a Ferret. So, get out those notepads.

M. I'm gonna lead off with odor. (Obi starts laughing.) Not that odor, you idiot, but leave it to you. (Mina sighs with exasperation.)

T. (Giggling) I know just what you mean. I recommend anyone considering getting a ferret to meet some ferret people and visit their ferrets. I also recommend you meet different ferret families, as ferrets that eat differently can smell differently. Make sure you breathe in their scent well, and if you find it offensive, Ferrets may not be the pet for you. 

M. That's right. Because we are Mustelids (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelidae), we have many scent glands. Most Ferrets in the US have their rear scent glands removed, but we still have others that produce oils for our fur. 

T. Those oils are also essential, so bathing is not recommended, especially with soaps that strip those oils.

M. And this means we will always have an odor. So we aren't for everyone. True, you can lessen the odor with high-quality food, changing our bedding very often, if not daily, and ensuring our litterbox is always clean. But we will still have an odor. This means many places won't rent to people with ferrets, and your friends may not always appreciate you bringing your ferrets along. (Both girls laugh.) 

T. Besides, we'd prefer to take a nap anyway. Another thing to consider, and the main reason for that savings account, is that ferrets are prone to medical issues. 

M. Depending on the issue, visits to the emergency vet are sometimes needed. We are inquisitive creatures and also patient problem solvers.

T. This usually means we get into many things we shouldn't. 

M. Sometimes, those things are nice to chew on, and we swallow pieces during our chewing excitement before we know it. Often, this leads to blockages, and we can die from those pretty fast.

T. This means that you should also have an emergency kit on hand for any myriad of ailments, including blockages. 

M. This is why it is essential to have a relationship with the shelter. The shelter is a fantastic information resource for treating many issues and providing general advice. You can also find much of this information online and in the book "Ferrets for Dummies."https://www.amazon.com/Ferrets-Dummies-Kim-Schilling/dp/0470139439

T. Ferrets are also prone to several forms of cancer. 

M. That's right, most of us will come down with Insulinoma, Adrenal disease, or both. Then there is Ferret Lymphoma. Also, other issues like Cardiomyopathy and diabetes.

T. So, if you are looking for an easy-on-the-pocketbook animal, Then Ferrets may not be the pet for you. Between high-quality food, lots of bedding (hammocks, sleepy sack, cubes, etc.), Vet bills, and medications. We can cost a lot in our short lives.

M. Which brings us to our lives. Ferrets don't live very long, at least in the US. The average age is around 6-7 years. AVERAGE means some may live to be 9, while others may pass about 3 or 4 years old. 

T. So, if you are looking for a pet with which you will have many years of memories, then a Ferret may not be for you. This is important to consider when you factor in all the costs of raising us. 

M. Daddy is giving the break signal. See you all in about ten minutes. 

Obi Ferret

During the break, not much happens. Instead, the girls each have a quick snack and cup of tea. 

Tonks and Mina return to their seats, waiting for the segment to start. This half will cover more of the things you need to consider, including what to do should you decide to buy. 

T. (Smiling as if she can think of nowhere else to be) Welcome back to the show as we discuss whether Ferrets are suitable pets. Mina, What are a few of the other things folks should consider?

M. Furniture and ferret proofing. Another thing about Ferrets is that we need playtime out of our cages every day. This means you will have to decide whether you want to Ferret-proof the whole house or just a section of it.

T. As we mentioned earlier, we are very inquisitive. We are natural predators, after all. So we must roam our territories daily looking for a snack, and we can fit almost anywhere. 

M. I'm sure I will leave some places out, but you could probably guess other places off this list of places we will fit or go.

T. Under some doors. I am small enough to fit under doors if there is about 1 1/4" clearance. This will give me access to many closets and under cabinets. Unfortunately, this also means I can fit under many appliances, which could be dangerous. My brothers are too big to go in the really tight spots I can fit into, but they would still surprise you.

M. Believe it or not, you need to consider your furniture if you choose to get a Ferret. We seem to have to know about, well, everything, including what is inside couches and chairs. That's right. That silly liner on the bottom of those things can't keep us out, and one thing we are likely to find is a nice, cozy spot to sleep. This includes the liners under most beds.

T. (With a sad look) And you know what that would mean if someone decided to sit down.

M. We will also get into any kitchen or bathroom cabinets and drawers. Most drawers are accessible from inside the cabinets, so you will have to put latches on all the cabinet doors.

T. We will also get under almost any dresser and up into those drawers above.

M. Usually, sleeping in your sock drawer wouldn't be a problem, but we like to steal and stash. 

T. What if we stole your socks, hid them elsewhere, or decided to store food in your clothes drawers? 

M. What we are trying to say is that proper ferret proofing is almost impossible outside of just banning us from those areas.

T. You will also have to consider the flooring in the places we are allowed around the doors, which should be reinforced because we will try to dig under or through those darn doors. 

M. Remember that we have to potty often, so you will need litter pans scattered about or potty pads everywhere we might want to go. 

T. Sometimes, we get too busy and do not make it to either, so a clean-up is necessary. We almost forgot to mention that we are escape artists. Flex dryer vents and the ducting under cabinets are just two ways to get out. If we managed to get up to an open window, we could easily tear through a screen and get out.

M. If you were hoping for a lovely, tidy critter, we might not be the pet for you. 

T. Though we are clean, we do make a mess. We also like to steal anything, and that could drive you crazy. Remote controls are fun, as is knocking over drinks. You will also have to walk around very carefully as we love to walk around feet. This means we can get stepped on, crushed easily, or slip through opened doors. 

M. If it seems we are trying to scare you off, that isn't the case.

T. We just want you to know how difficult we can be to care for, as our nature can get us into so much trouble.

M. Okay, you have worked through all the issues and decided you still want to get a Ferret(s). 

T. For your first ferret, I recommend you check with a shelter. I know everyone always wants to buy a baby from the pet store—I get it—we are cute. If you genuinely want to buy a baby, I recommend finding a reputable breeder and getting on a waiting list. 

M. But we are also terrors. Ferrets naturally play rough, often too rough for human hands and feet, especially children. 

T. This is one of the reasons I recommend a shelter. A shelter can fit you with an animal that matches your experience. Since you can visit as often as you like to meet ferrets, they can also watch for ones that seem to react positively towards you. 

M. Another nice thing about a shelter pet is that you know about any medical or behavior issues and will be given plenty of advice on how to deal with them the best way.

T. Plus, you will be giving an animal a second chance. They may also have cages for sale and other sorts of ferret stuff.

M. Speaking of cages, what do you recommend?

T. Every situation is different. For instance, there are five of us, and we are divided into three small cages. However, we free roam whenever Mommy or Daddy is home. Our cages are relatively small because we live in a wildfire area and might have to evacuate sometime. Daddy says it's straightforward for the firefighters to put each cat in a crate to evacuate them and then carry our cages with us inside.

M. I would ask the shelter what they think about your situation. You could also ask in online forums or groups.

T. Another important thing about Ferrets is that we do better with others. 

M. Yep. Another good reason to check at the shelter is that they may already have a bonded pair needing a home.

T. Another vital thing to consider is caring for them if you go on trips. They will still need time out to play, and you will need to find ferret-savvy people to pet sit for you. Or you will need to find a shelter or other place to board them.

M. Another crucial thing to consider before getting any pet, specifically a Ferret. We do not do well with rehoming, especially if split from cage mates. Many a Ferret have been known to go into severe depression and even die. 

T. So please, with any animal, try to be sure they are with you for their whole short life, and maybe hold off if that is something you can't commit to currently.

M. Well said, Sis. I read a phrase somewhere and cannot remember who said it, but it goes something like this and it is the pet speaking. "We may only be a small part of your life, but you are our whole lives."

T. I hope you found this enlightening. It's by no means a complete list of what you should do and consider before getting a ferret, but it should get you pointed in the right direction. 

M. For those wondering, Shelters often have young ferrets needing homes. Tonks and I were each under six months when we lived at the shelter. 

T. That's right. If you want a youngster, the right fit is worth waiting for, so keep checking at the shelter until something that fits what you are looking for comes in.

M. (Smiling.) Besides, that will give you more time to prepare for the big personality you will get when you adopt a Ferret. We are life-changing, and many Ferret people can confirm this.

T. But we just aren't the best pet for everyone, so take your time and consider everything, as with any pet. You will find the most happiness and get the most significant reward because you and your pet will benefit from a high-quality and enriching relationship.

M. We have come to that time of the show again, and we must say goodbye. We would like to thank all of you for taking a few moments to read and hope it was a bright part of your day. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section, and we will respond.

T. See you all next episode. Take care

Nymphadora and Mina

Wilhelmina "Mina" Tulip Schug

Nymphadora Arwen Tonks Schug

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