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    2 in 1 Ferret Book: Getting Started with Pet Ferrets and Ferret Toys
    2 in 1 Ferret Book: Getting Started with Pet Ferrets and Ferret Toys
    2 in 1 Ferret Book: Getting Started with Pet Ferrets and Ferret Toys
    Ebook120 pages1 hour

    2 in 1 Ferret Book: Getting Started with Pet Ferrets and Ferret Toys

    By Karen Hearing

    ()

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    About this ebook

    So you finally got that pet ferret you've been wanting. But now what?

    Ferrets do make great pets. They are fun, quirky, lovable, playful, mischievous, and entertaining little critters. But they also require a commitment on your part. You will need to invest time, money, and energy to take care of your woozles properly. Reading our "2 in 1 Ferret Book" will aid you in preparing and getting outfitted for your ferret journey – especially the ferret-cage and ferret-readiness checklists.

    And then there are the toys – most likely lots of them. Just as we do for our human children, we want the best, most-stimulating toys we can afford for our pet ferrets. But how do we wade through the thousands of choices and the many manufacturers. And where is the best place to get ferret toys? And what about homemade toys?

    This book contains our two top-selling ferret books with new additional material.

    Excerpt:
    Ferrets, because they are meat eaters, belong to the Carnivora order, as do dogs and cats, wolves and lions. As we move further down the classification line, we see that ferrets belong to the Mustelidae (which means loosely "weasel" or "mouse killer") family, and this makes them remotely related to badgers, sea otters, wolverines, and polecats. So far, then, it seems our pet ferrets, our favorite fuzzies, are in the company of some pretty tough (and perhaps stinky) critters.

    Next, we find ferrets in the genus putorious, a Latin word that means "stench." (Just think of the word "putrid.") Then, they are in the species called furo, which come from furis, which means "thief." Big surprise, huh?

    So, taxonomically, a ferret is . . . a weaselly, mouse-killing, smelly thief. But pet ferrets aren't really very closely related to weasels, and most of them don't kill mice (unless they are fed a whole-prey diet). They are, however, incorrigible thieves, so that part's pretty accurate.

    This description, though scientifically sound, doesn't really tell us much about what this creature we love really is. So . . . just what IS a ferret?

    Well, first off, a ferret is a small, elongated, long-whiskered bundle of energy – when it isn't sleeping, which is most of the time. It is a creature that when active (which, again, is only about 6 hours a day) is furiously playing – running, jumping, hiding, chewing, stealing. Or not . . . because it may be asleep. A ferret, then, is a seeming contradiction – a living paradox.

    Second, a carpetshark possesses the attributes of several different animals all bundled together in one lovable package. It displays, for instance, the zany playfulness of an otter. (Just think of otters in all the Disney shows we watched when we were kids.) It has the sneakiness and curiosity of a cat – which, just as with cats, can get a ferret into some less-than-ideal predicaments. And a ferret is like a dog in that it often engages in hilariously entertaining (to us) and embarrassing (to the ferret) antics.

    Finally, on a more serious note, ferrets are great pets – but only for those willing to make the necessary investment. For just like people – and they are a lot like humans, too – they require vaccinations and regular medical check-ups, as well as a quality diet, to remain healthy. They need their own living space and quality sleeping quarters. They have to have scheduled play times and lots of chances for socialization with both you and others of their own kind.

    Pet ferrets are, in short, members of your family. And here are a couple of our picks in ferret-care books for tips on how to keep your paradoxical, multi-faceted, furry family members healthy and happy . . .

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKaren Hearing
    Release dateDec 5, 2013
    ISBN9781310690587
    2 in 1 Ferret Book: Getting Started with Pet Ferrets and Ferret Toys
    Author

    Karen Hearing

    An animal lover since she was a young girl, Karen has three dogs,one cat, three horses, one husband . . . and four ferrets. It might be better, though, to say that these ferrets share her home. When you have a pet that combines a cat's curiosity and an otter's playfulness and a dog's silly antics, you can't really say you own it.Karen has been sharing her home with ferrets for about four years (as of this writing – September 2011). They are Rikki, a female albino ferret, and Possum, a male panda ferret, and Loki and Luna. Her adventure with pet ferrets began like this . . .Karen found Rikki, the fuzzball who started her love affair with ferrets, curled up on the ground beside her truck at work on a cold, rainy December night. Karen scooped her up, dried her off, and took her home. (She did do her best to locate the owners.) Thus began her life with ferrets.After having Rikki for about a year, Karen began to feel guilty about not being able to give her the attention she needed (because of work and family and all that). So, in early November, she put on her brightest, most-fetching smile and asked her husband for an early Christmas present. And he said, "We'll see" – which was close enough to "Yes" for Karen.So in a few days they set off to the local pet store to find Rikki a "baby brother." Karen took Rikki with her so she could help pick out her "brother," but Rikki, her furry little mind boogled by ferret speed dating, couldn't make a decision. Karen decided for her, and she made a good choice. Possum is a playmate, cohort in adventure and loving companion to Rikki and both a joy and a trial to Karen.Now, Karen shares her enthusiasm for fuzzy carpet sharks and growing knowledge of ferrets with anyone willing to listen. Ferrets are fairly high-maintenance pets. They require a lot of care, a lot of attention, in-depth knowledge of diet and health issues, and just the right ferret accessories and ferret toys.Karen’s goal is to help people who are in the same boat she was when ferrets first came into her life – that is, knowing almost nothing about ferrets or where to turn for help. She hopes to make the journey a little smoother for other ferret owners. For healthy, happy ferrets are worth it.

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      Book preview

      2 in 1 Ferret Book - Karen Hearing

      2 in 1 Ferret Book

      Getting Started with Pet Ferrets

      and

      Ferret Toys

      Karen Hearing

      Spring Lake Books

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright 2013

      Getting Started with Pet Ferrets

      Ferret Toys

      All rights reserved. This book may not be used or reproduced in any manner—by any means or in any medium whatsoever—in part or in whole without written permission of the author (except, of course, small excerpts in reviews). Please respect intellectual-property rights and help authors protect what they've created.

      Disclaimer

      The information in this work was accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge when it was written. However, the author makes no representations or guarantees and disclaims all warranties. Research published since the creation of this book may negate the information provided within it.

      The information and advice offered may not be appropriate for every situation. The author does not imply or offer professional, legal, or veterinary services. Please consult a licensed, qualified veterinarian for all medical matters. Please consult a licensed, qualified attorney for specific legal questions.

      Mention of a specific product, publication, company, organization, and/or website does not imply the author’s endorsement, and any of these may have been discontinued since this book’s publication.

      Getting Started with Pet Ferrets

      Introduction

      So . . . you want to own a ferret? All right, then. Did you know that there are approximately 4 to 5 million ferret households in the U.S. with a total of 5 to 7 million ferrets? This makes ferrets the third most-popular pet in the U.S.

      Those numbers are especially impressive when you consider that in many areas of the U.S. owning a ferret is illegal. So there are some things you need to take into account when considering ferret ownership or adoption.

      Still, ferrets are hard to resist as pets, as you know. They are incredibly cute, and you can’t help but laugh as you watch them scurry around. It’s even better when you get into the act yourself. Once you cuddle up with one, you can’t help but want to get a ferret for your very own. If you do, it will quickly become one of the family.

      Ah, but there’s the rub. Even the happiest of families have problems, and ferrets bring their own peculiar challenges. Just like the human members of your family, ferrets can be picky eaters. They are constantly in need of attention from their humans. Some of them are prone to illnesses. Some of them are more active than others. And as ferrets age, they too are just as prone to medical problems as their human counterparts.

      That’s not to say that ferret ownership is impossible. Of course not. Just like any other relationship, the more love you have for your ferret, the richer the experience will be.

      Even if you have a great deal of love for your fuzzy friend, you will also need a great deal of information. That’s why this book was written – to provide some information to help you get started and to enrich your ferret relationship as much as possible.

      It is my hope that this book will answer many your questions and that you and your ferret(s) will be happy and healthy for years to come.

      Why a Ferret?

      Why a ferret?

      If you’ve been wanting a ferret and have mentioned that desire to someone else, chances are you’ve been asked that question.

      Why a ferret indeed?

      There are many reasons why someone like you should consider owning a ferret.

      They are unusual. Although, as we’ve stated in the introduction, ferrets are the third most-popular pet in the U.S. after dogs and cats, they are still a bit unusual. Many people consider them to be exotic. In many areas of the country they are still relatively rare. It’s rather fun to have a pet that few others have.

      They are fun. Ferrets are active. They are always getting into something. Who can resist getting down on the floor and playing with them or watching them chase other ferrets around the place? Coming home to your ferrets is one of the easiest ways to cast off the troubles of the day.

      They are social. Unlike cats, which are largely independent, ferrets thrive when they have company, especially human company. There’s nothing better than knowing there is a certain someone who really wants to see you, whether for cuddling or for roughhousing.

      They are easy. Unlike horses that must be exercised and groomed every day or goldfish that must be fed a precise amount of feed at regimented times, a ferret is pretty easygoing. While a ferret does have certain nutritional and health needs, they are fairly easy to meet. Also, they sleep 14 to 18 hours a day on average. Ferrets are generally quiet and only need a small space in your home. Just like Linus’ Christmas tree in A Charlie Brown Christmas, all a ferret needs is a little love.

      They help you meet new people. When you take your ferret out for a walk, chances are very good that you will meet people asking about your pet. There are also many organizations for ferrets and their owners that give you both a chance to socialize and to exchange tips and stories. When you own a ferret, you open up a whole new world of social possibilities.

      They are historic. There is a certain aura about a pet that has been around since ancient Greece and Rome. Back in the day, ferrets were used to help sniff out vermin and small game, but almost certainly they became much loved members of the household. Anyone can own a tropical fish, but how many people can say they own a pet that was known to Caesar Augustus?

      They are threatened. One type of ferret, the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), has been on the Endangered Species List since 1973, and it is still illegal to own them. The domesticated ferret (Mustela putorious furo) is also banned in several areas for a variety of reasons. There’s a certain amount of comfort in knowing you are providing a home to a threatened creature.

      They are loving. Whether they are snuggling up with you on the sofa or curled up with each other on a fuzzy-sized hammock, ferrets love to nestle. Get a ferret and feel the love.

      They are good for us. Study after study has shown the health benefits of owning a pet. Pet ownership reduces stress levels and even helps some people lose weight. There is even some evidence that owning a pet may help prevent Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in the elderly. Owning a ferret just may be downright good for you.

      They are meant for you. Sometimes you just know what you’re meant to do. Just as you knew that you found that special someone, you can know you were just meant to own a ferret. While it’s true that you need time, maturity, and information to be sure you're ready for any relationship, sometimes it starts with a gut feeling that it was meant to be.

      So, there you have it: ten very good answers to the question Why a ferret? Perhaps the next question should be Why not?

      What is a Ferret?

      Ferrets, because they are meat eaters, belong to the Carnivora order, as do dogs and cats, wolves and lions. As we move further down the classification line, we see that ferrets belong to the Mustelidae (which means loosely weasel or mouse killer) family, and this makes them remotely related to badgers, sea otters, wolverines, and polecats. So far, then, it seems our pet ferrets, our favorite fuzzies, are in the company of some pretty tough (and perhaps stinky) critters.

      Next, we find ferrets in the genus putorious, a Latin word that means stench. (Just think of the word putrid.) Then, they are in the species called furo, which come from furis, which means thief. Big surprise, huh?

      So, taxonomically, a ferret is . . . a weaselly, mouse-killing, smelly thief. But pet ferrets aren't really very closely related to weasels, and most of them don't kill mice (unless they are fed a whole-prey diet). They are, however, incorrigible thieves, so that part's pretty accurate.

      This description, though scientifically sound, doesn't really tell us much about what this creature we love really is. So . . . just what IS a ferret?

      Well, first off, a ferret is a small, elongated, long-whiskered bundle of energy – when it isn't sleeping, which is most of the time. It is a creature that when active (which, again, is only about 6 hours a day) is furiously playing – running, jumping, hiding, chewing, stealing. Or not . . . because it may be asleep. A ferret, then, is a seeming contradiction – a living paradox.

      Second, a carpetshark possesses the attributes of several different animals all bundled together in one lovable package. It displays, for instance, the zany playfulness of an otter. (Just think of otters in all the Disney shows we watched when we were kids.) It has the sneakiness and curiosity of a cat – which, just as with

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