Ferrets Are Like Potato Chips, You Can’t Have Just One!

January 30, 2012

What animal has a long pointy nose, whiskers, sharp claws, and a body a lot like a slinky? That would be a ferret. And no, they’re not rodents! They get insulted if you call them rodents. Ferrets are carnivores and are related to badgers, otters, and minks.
 
There are a lot of great books at the library about ferret care. Ferrets For Dummies is the best book for first-time ferret owners. And if you just want to watch a cute DVD about a ferret show, look for Ferrets: the Pursuit of Excellence. There are also The Ferret Chronicles, a series of fiction books written by Richard Bach.
 
Owning ferrets is a ton of fun, but also a ton of work. They can have a lot of medical issues, and vet bills can be high. They also need a large cage, a good diet, and a safe place to play for at least four hours. They’re also not a good pet for families with young children.    
 
Ferrets love to steal your stuff. Make sure you don’t leave anything of value within their reach. If you do, it’ll be hidden away in some far reaching corner you can’t get to. A ferret’s motto is "If I want it, it’s mine." And nothing is too big for them to try. One of my guys tried to steal a plunger. He got it half way across the floor, but it wouldn’t fit under the couch.
 
I adore my two boys, Brutus and Bubba. They make me laugh with their crazy antics. If they’re not stealing something, they’re running around like two-year olds on a sugar high. So if you can handle the activity level, the cost of care, and have a sense of fun, go ahead and bring home a ferret or two.

Crystal G.
Riverside Branch