ABSTRACT: Prevention is better than cure, whether we are talking about physical or psychological health. Under the Animal Welfare Act (2006), owners have a responsibility to take all reasonable precautions to ensure animals in their care, of any species, are free from fear and distress and are able to perform normal behaviour.

If animals are given a suitable start in life, live in an appropriate environment, with appropriate company, and plenty and varied opportunities for physical and mental stimulation, then owners will be meeting this responsibility and the chances of problem behaviours developing is radically diminished. However, in order to do so they must have received correct information on how to care for their animal properly to ensure its physical and mental health.

This article aims to provide the reader with an introduction to the ferret and the behaviour of this remarkable creature, and thus be better equipped to prevent behaviour problems, which otherwise may lead to an animal being neglected, re-homed or even euthanised.

Ferrets have had a long association with man. It is believed that they were first domesticated by the ancient Egyptians some 3,000 years ago and used to control vermin around the granaries. Whilst they may have arrived in Europe with the Romans, they came into their own in the Middle Ages, some 800 years ago, with the increase in arable farming and the need to control rabbits which ate the crops in the fields, and rats that ate the stored grain. This has been their main purpose until the last 20 years when they have become increasingly popular as pets and as a show animal.

Of course, some ferrets will have multiple roles. They may be a pet, help in pest control and take part in shows – or at least ferret racing at local county shows! Regardless of the reason why they are kept, owners need to know how to meet the behavioural needs of ferrets, and for this one needs an understanding of their natural behaviour and environment.

Sid and Johnny find a curious hole … so start digging! (Image courtesy of Kerry Brennand)

Natural history

The ferret is first and foremost a predator and a true carnivore. This has important implications for correct feeding. Ferrets cannot be kept on a vegetarian diet. The ferret’s role as pest controller was based on its behaviour and characteristics – being agile, small and supple and prepared to fight and kill rabbits, larger than itself, and that can kick and bite. These features have been preserved for many hundreds of generations of domestication.

Though there is a trend for selecting for looks in the show ferret world, little has changed with respect to the ferret’s behaviour and little from its ancestral species, the European polecat, other than that the latter is a solitary hunter, whereas ferrets are more sociable creatures.

Like most true predators, the ferret is not an active animal. Think of domestic cats and wild lions – much of their time is spent resting and asleep. Though ferrets are very lively when awake, this may be for as little as three to four hours a day – around dusk and dawn, and overnight.

Ferrets naturally choose to rest in quiet, small, dark spaces … even down wild rabbit burrows, which must be quite disconcerting for the rabbits! Their eyesight is adapted for low light levels and they must have places to rest where they can avoid bright and direct light.

Likewise, their hearing is very sensitive, and they can hear in the ultrasonic range. So it is important, especially if they are kept in the house, that their home is not located in a noisy, busy part of the house. Too much noise and disturbance will potentially cause behaviour problems related to stress, such as aggression.

Behavioural traits

Ferrets are extremely curious animals and have a strong instinct to explore their surroundings. This, combined with their ability to climb and squeeze through small openings, means they are great escapologists and owners need to be aware that, whether they are kept outside or as house pets, the ferret’s home must be regularly checked for potential escape routes.

They have a good sense of space and will build up an intimate knowledge of their home area. They require complex environments, which should include tunnels and resting places. In order to maintain stimulation these should be altered every so often, a little at a time, so as not to stress the animal out by suddenly waking up and finding its whole world has changed!

They mark their territory by wiping their body along surfaces leaving a personalised scent marker. Ferrets, like their mustelid cousins the stoats, weasels, polecats and badger, are renowned for having a distinctive smell. Indeed, the ferret’s Latin name, Mustela putorius furo, literally means a weasel-like, bad smelling thief!

The ferret’s curious nature means it can easily get into trouble. They are very interested in objects and are extremely playful – and destructive. Owners need to make sure things they value, such as wallets, are kept well away from their pet. As with cats and dogs, toys that relate to the hunting and eating behaviours, such as cat fishing toys, paper balls, ping pong balls and activity food balls, will stimulate play.

Ferrets also need to be provided with new objects to explore and destroy – items such as cardboard boxes. Do be careful not to give anything, such as latex toys, which they can chew and potentially swallow.

Ferrets are sociable and can be kept in groups. They will develop a hierarchy within the group. It is important – in order to prevent any bullying – that there are sufficient resources for all the ferrets to use at the same time, including resting areas, feed bowls, water bottles and litter trays. Being basically clean animals, ferrets, like cats, can be litter trained.

Sid investigating a new work boot! (Image courtesy of Kerry Brennand)

Activity patterns

Contented ferrets will play with each other, chasing, nipping and play-fighting. Play can be distinguished from real fighting because it is accompanied by jerky movements, an open ‘play-mouth’ and soft chattering noises.

Ferrets need companionship and are best kept in a pair – the ideal being a neutered female and neutered male. Because they have photo-induced seasons and are ‘pain-induced’ ovulators, intact females can suffer from prolonged oestrus if not mated. This can lead to a fatal condition of hyperoestrogenism. If an intact female is to be kept, she should be housed with a vasectomised male, whose mating behaviour will keep her healthy, whilst not producing any unwanted litters.

As is the case with cats and dogs, ferrets need to be socialised to people, other ferrets and other species with which they are expected to live. Whilst the socialisation period is not known, it is likely to occur around the age when kits become exploratory and more independent – between 14 to 56 days of age. Once their eyes open, at around five weeks of age, it is important that they are gently handled and introduced to adults and children.

Just as with puppies, ferret kits also need to be introduced to environments with which they may need to cope as adults. For the
pet ferret this will include everyday household noises and objects. Ferrets should always be handled gently, as being startled or frightened will cause them to react in a defensive manner, which for a ferret will be a quick and painful nip, often followed by trying to wriggle free – and most likely expression of the anal sacs, which is really rather smelly! If they are being carried, then this may result in their being accidentally dropped and injuring themselves.

All in all, they are not ideal pets for young children, and youngsters should always be supervised when around them. Ferrets should be trained to be carried, and held firmly and gently, around the shoulder area, ideally with their weight supported by your other hand.

No problem!

Ferrets are intelligent problem solvers and this means they can easily learn tricks using training methods such as clicker training. Ferrets can be taught to walk on a lead, come when called, leave objects when asked, roll over and navigate a series of obstacles – ferret agility!

Teaching ferrets tricks not only provides them with mental stimulation and helps keep them fit, it also serves to strengthen the bond with the owner.

Owning a ferret is a lot of fun and very rewarding. Owners can look forward to a companion that will live for eight to 10 years. 

Sid and Johnny curl up together when sleeping. (Image courtesy of Kerry Brennand)

Author

Anne McBride BSC (Hons) PhD

Dr Anne McBride has been a practising animal behaviour therapist since 1987. She is a senior lecturer in the School of Psychology, Director of the Applied Animal Behaviour unit and is academic director for the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling at Southampton University.

Further information

Ferret Education and Research Trust www.ferrettrust.orc

Practical guide for caring for your pet ferret, www.bva.co.uk

British Ferret Club, www.britishferretclub.org.uk Clicker Training for Ferrets

http://www.clickerbunny. com/a rticle_clickerferret.htm Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank Sid and Johnny, owner by Kerry Brennand, DipAVN (Surgical) RVN A1 Cert SAN MBVNA, for appearing in the illustrations in this article

Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 25 • No9 • September 2010 •