The pet ferret is a very popular pet. In fact, in the United States it is the third most common domestic pet. It may not seem like it in many areas, but it’s true. And this despite the fact that in parts of the US they are banned. Perhaps that’s part of why the pull is so strong in other areas. Due to this widespread attraction to the pet ferret, I have dedicated this article to the points of attraction or interest that surround it.
The legalities of pet ferrets seem to revolve around the controversy of whether or not it should be considered a wild animal. It is considered an obligate carnivore and in the weasel family. They are excellent companions for many adults and children, but dangerous with babies.
Domestic ferrets are also kleptomaniacs. Almost every ferret owner has at some point complained of not being able to find something due to the ferret’s compulsion to grab and hoard various items it finds. However, you will eventually find their hiding places. Some owners even find the whole process funny or cute, depending on what is stolen. A search on YouTube will bring up a list of hilarious videos of ferrets stealing things, sometimes much larger than they are.
The baby ferret, also known as a kit, goes through a process known as olfactory imprinting during the first year of its life. They learn to recognize food by smell. After this period, they decide that only things with the smells corresponding to the things they ate in that time period are edible. It will be difficult to introduce new things into your diet after this period.
Ferrets have very flexible skeletal systems. They are notable escape artists for that and for their ingenuity. This is partly how the concept of “ferret proofing” a room or a house came about. Sometimes they find themselves unable to get out of something they got themselves into. They also have access to many different items due to their tendency to escape and their ability to open various cabinets and doors.