| The_Ferret_as_a_Pet General information, keeping and raising ferrets in the house, and the fun part. |
| Ferret_Central FAQ for ferrets, news, and links to other resources for information about care, handling, and medical topics. |
| Ferret_Chat_Server Chat, forum, pictures, information on angora ferrets, and link list. |
| Ferret_Facts Articles, forums, photos, and other resources. |
| Ferret_Family_Services Ten commandments for a responsible ferret guardian. |
| Ferret_Luv Book list, nutrition, humor, toys and bedding, links, and New Hampshire resources. |
| The_Ferret_Owner\'s_Manual Online booklet covering a variety of topics in caring for ferrets. |
| Ferret_Universe Scored quizzes on ferret knowledge and information on health and care as well as photos, message board, and chat room. |
| The_Ferret_Whisperer Information on affection training ferrets. Also features photo gallery and stories. |
| FerretCentral_net A web community for ferret lovers and people seeking information on ferrets as pets. Includes discussion forums, articles, and picture gallery. |
| Ferret-colors_net Pictures of the major fur color classifications; information on color changes and variations. |
| FerretLife_com A community site featuring news articles, forum, and links to other resources. |
| Ferrets Informational site on ferrets as pets, with related links, ferrets rescues and pictures. |
| Ferrets_and_Other_Beasts Videos, pictures, wallpaper, ASCII art, and a webcam of ferrets and cats. In German and English. |
| FerretStore_Forums_com Discussion forum for pet owners. |
| FerretVet_ca Information on the care of ferrets, including photos and a forum. |
| FerretVet_ca Information on the care of ferrets, as well as photos and a forum. |
| Frolicking_Ferrets MSN groups mailing list and club for ferret-related advice and socializing as well as photo contest, e-cards, links, fun features, memorials, and classifieds. |
| House_Ferrets_and_Small_Pets_Club Smartgroups club for discussion of care, showing, and sales of ferrets and other small pets. |
| Hug-A-Woozel Forum, photo contests, and other fun features as well as general links and resources and information on the webmaster's ferrets. |
| The_King_of_Clowns__The_Ferret BellaOnline article providing general information, cautions, and care tips for ferrets. |
| Life_With_Ferrets Suite101.com site with links, articles, and discussions. |
| Lost_Ferrets Lost and found advertisements, regional shelter listings, ferret-proofing tips. |
| Louise\'s_London_Ferrets MSN group with forum, community features, pictures, and information. |
| Modern_Ferret_Magazine Fun and informative resource created for ferret owners, by ferret owners. Site includes subscription and ordering information and descriptions of magazine contents. |
| The_Modern_Ferret_News A free e-newsletter featuring pet ferret care information and tips. Site includes archived articles, current issue, and subscription information. |
| Mustela_Canada Canadian links and contacts, pictures, advice on treats, and lighthearted features such as nicknames, ferret math, songs, and anecdotes. |
| Quincy\'s_Ferret_Veterinarian_Listing A place to find or share ferret-friendly veterinarians in the US. Listed by state. |
| Rainy\'s_Ferret_Page A variety of articles and information including health and disorders, legalization, and related animals. |
| SoYouWanna_Get_a_Ferret? A step-by-step article on the process of responsibly choosing a ferret and keeping it safe and happy. |
| 500_Things_My_Ferret_Told_Me Information on the book, as well as other merchandise and an "ask the ferret" feature. |
| WeaselWords_com Ferret newsletter covering issues related to the care of pet ferrets. Photographs, ferret names, articles by topic, glossary, links, and information on events. |
| The_Weezil_Pages_of_Doom Advice on proper care from a ferret's perspective and a page for ferrets trying to take over the world. |
| The_World_of_Furry_O\'s_Ferrets Information on a rescue and breeder in southeast Pennsylvania as well as tips on how to help, general ferret care advice, and a memorial page. |
| Zen_and_the_Art_of_Ferrets Answers to submitted questions about ferrets; information on ferrets for sale or for adoption from the shelter. |
| Antebellum_Covers Buys and sells Civil War paper and 19th century American Paper Collectibles through monthly Mail Auctions and Net Price Sales. |
| Mike_Brackin_Civil_War Catalog of original American Civil and Indian Wars memorabilia, photographs, CDVs, stereoviews, tintypes, cabinet photographs and related artifacts. |
| Relic_Hunting_in_Virginia Pictures and stories about relic hunting. Displays photos of Civil War finds. |
| www_civilwarguns_com Site offers information about the weapons and ordnance used by American Forces during the Civil War (1861-1865), and articles relating to the uniquely American sport of Skirmishing, timed competitions |
| Agricultural_Machinery Contains descriptions and drawings of ground breaking, seed depositing, gathering, and miscellaneous farm implements. |
Ron Hines DVM PhD 4/24/06are husbandry Pet ferrets are domesticated European polecats. They have been kept as hunters and pets for over one thousand years. The scientific name for a ferret is Mustela putorius furo. Other Mustela to which they are related are mink, skunks, otters, weasels and badgers. All animals in this group have a distinctly strong odor emanating from glands below the base of their tail. In olden times, ferrets were used to flush rabbits out of their burrows. Today, they are generally kept as pets and as scientific research subjects.The natural color of ferrets is “fitch” or sable, brown with a dark mask and tail, but they can be obtained in many colors. Boy ferrets are called “hobs” while female ferrets are called “jills” Male ferrets weigh approximately two-thirds more than females. Their babies are referred to as kits. The lifespan of ferrets is 8-11 years. Ferrets are able to breed when they are 5- 6 month of age. Ferrets are quite nearsighted but their sense of hearing and smell are quite acute. Wild ferrets live on a diet consisting primarily of rodents. Although they will accept a varied diet in captivity, they are strict carnivores.In the United States, almost all pet ferrets are neutered. This is generally done while the pets are very young (4-6 weeks of age). The largest producer of pet ferrets in the United States is Marshall Laboratories (http://www.marshallpet.com/). In 1939, The Marshalls began raising ferrets in the backyard of their family farm. Mr. Marshall vigorously marketed these animals for research studies within the scientific community. One of his selling points was the ferret’s susceptibility to human influenza. When sales did not meet expectations, the Company began marketing their animals as pets. Their selling points were their predictable mellow temperaments, small size, cleanliness and intelligence as well as their ability to be litter box trained. Their drawbacks include a rather pronounced musk odor present even when the animals have been descented and the high number of pets that die early due to cancers. Because ferrets are not territorial and are masterful escape artists, they often wander off and become lost.Ferrets tend to be highly animated for short periods of play activity and then lapse into a deep sleep. At play they love to seek out objects and rollick about but while asleep they are difficult to disturb or rouse. They do well in pairs and triplets either confined to a large ferret habitat with tubes, tunnels and bedding or allowed to roam loose in the house. Ferrets will prob every conceivable nook and cranny so ferret-proofing a house or room is quite a challenge. Generally, if a ferret got into a space unassisted it is able to get out unassisted. They do not do well out of doors unless they are on a leash. They are active both in the daytime and at night. Small toys and rope-like objects are best kept out of reach because young ferrets often eat them. Ferrets train quite easily to use litter boxes. Silica or bentonite clay-containing cat litter will often cause ferrets to sneeze. I prefer to use cellulose products.Ferrets should have food and water available at all time since they love to snack. They do well on dry kitten or ferret chow providing 30-40% crude protein and 15-20% fat. Although they enjoy eating them, they do not digest carbohydrates or roughage well. Ferret vitamin supplements are available but are not required. Feeding foods that they are not accustomed to often results in diarrhea. The diet of older or frail ferrets can be supplemented with cooked eggs and beef liver as well as strained baby meats. Older or sick ferrets seem to also benefit from high energy pastes such as Nutrical or Energel. Do not feed them products containing refined sugar.My choice of litter box litter are the new bio-friendly products produced from cellulose, flax, and bio-engineered wood fibers. You will find them at pet supercenters. Ferrets that have been handled when they are young are usually docile and gentle when handled. They rarely bite. An exception are ferrets that did not receive human contact early in life. These individuals will often snap and lock on to fingers and hands.A small number of diseases account for the majority of ferret illness. Young ferrets often become obstructed with objects that they eat. String, foam rubber, insulation, acorns and pot scrubbing pads are some of the objects I have surgically removed from ferrets. Beginning quite early in life (4 years) ferrets frequently develop adrenal gland disease, pancreatic tumors (insulinomas) and tumors of the blood (lymphomas). Vitamin E and vitamin C have been found to retard the aging process. Because of this, I give it to all ferrets. I vaccinate ferrets annually with Merial’s imrab3 rabies vaccine and every one or two years with Merial’s canine distemper vaccine. I no longer use Fervac-D because of the high number of vaccine reactions it caused. Ferrets can develop canine heartworm disease. If ferrets are housed out of doors or in unscreened areas I suggest they receive monthly heartworm preventative.I made some suggestions that ferrets be occasionally bathed. I bathed my male ferrets weekly without problems. However, a reader has taken exception to this. please read her email below. Terms Of UseConsult With Dr. HinesMore ArticlesHome Page Links Please email if you find errors, broken links , have suggestions, or additional information But you can not ask your personal pet questions through this link. Threads: 07/01/06 Dr. Hines, I enjoyed your on-line article regarding the love, care and feeding of these wonderful, loving, entertaining little guys! I found it very informative! The only part of the article with which I do not necessarily agree is the line "Washing them weekly in baby shampoo and using a cream rinse after bathing keeps this odor to a minimum." I have four ferrets - all of which I've had since they were babies (actually TOO YOUNG to have been sold to a pet store at all, but that is another story!) - about two years now. I have never bathed them with any type of soap. They do get to "swim" in the bath tub or in their little outdoor pool (actually a baby pool with only enough water in it so that it hits the ferrets chest) every once in a while...but again, they have not been introduced to any type of soap or non-soap products. I do change their cage every other day (I cover the base of the cage with newspaper and then put a small layer of "Yesterday's News" over that) and keep them supplied with clean hammocks and throw rugs. My 'kids' smell fresher than the ferrets in any given pet store! I do know other ferret owners that have tried "washing" their ferrets in order to neutralize the musky oder but using soap on them had the opposite effect. Also, using "conditioner" doesn't seem like a good idea as ferrets have a lot of physical interaction with one another and with their delicate digestive systems, I personally, would never consider it...Of course, you are the Doctor! and as stated earlier, this is just a suggestion based on my experience. Again, thank you for your article! Vikki 07/14/06 Dear Dr. Hines, I read the readers email on bathing and have something to add. i myself have four ferrets and do bath them every two weeks but i use baby shampoo with a couple drops of tea tree oil. I have found this gets rid of the odor,conditions their skin and rids them of any fleas they may have gotten from our other fuzzy friends. but with the tea tree oil i make sure its rinsed out completely and only use a very vvery small amount. I also on occasion will put a dab of biosilk(people conditioner) on them this silkens their coat. my vet went over the ingeriednts and said they are ferret ok (no perfumes or dyes)and that helps the smell more than anything because the biosilk replaces the natural oils that they produce after a bath. my vet said dont bath them every week because it will make the smell worse by causing the ferrets body to produce more replacement oil, and its the oil that stinks Ask the Veterinarian, Veterinary question, Ask the Vet, Veterinary Advice, Dr. Ron Hines. 