Ferrets As Pets Uk

Some of their smell comes from a sac near their anus whilst some are from their faeces usually to mark their territory.

Ferrets as pets uk. In england in 1390 a law was enacted restricting the use of ferrets for hunting to the relatively wealthy. Ferrets interesting lively comical and friendly. However for most animal lovers their smell is tolerable. We explore the key considerations you take into account before bringing a ferret into your family.

Ferrets are cute playful and inquisitive pets but they do have highly specialized needs. They also have lots of energy that needs to be spent on playtime daily. With the right feeding regime accommodation and care they can live between 6 to 12 years the oldest known ferret lived to the ripe old age of 13. Despite their rather misunderstood nature they have recently become very popular pets for their charming and cheeky characters.

Scientists believe that domesticated ferrets were bred from european polecats or steppe polecats over 2500 years ago making them members of the weasel family mustela genus. Whilst ferrets are amusing and adventurous pets they require deceptively large amounts of care for such small creatures. Animals with lineage related to ferrets include badgers minks and wolverines. It is highly recommended you consider adopting a pair of ferrets so they will always have a companion to socialize with.

Caesar augustus sent ferrets or mongooses named viverrae by plinius to the balearic islands to control the rabbit plagues in 6 bc. A healthy ferret will naturally have a musky odour which comes from a gland under their skin. Ferrets are highly intelligent and social pets that do best in small groups. Most ferrets live for about six to eight years though some pet ferrets can live up to 12 years.

Keeping ferrets as pets ferrets make wonderful pets and companions as far as the neighbours go ferrets do not bark and they do not use other peoples gardens for their toilet. Ferrets are rather more demanding than most other caged domestic animals but if you are prepared to put in the commitment you will be handsomely rewarded by these loving and personable pets. Why not view our full ferret factfile pdf 44kb. Ferrets natural play includes nipping and training is required to ensure your ferret knows that nipping humans is not an acceptable behavior.

Ferrets are highly intelligent animals more so than rodents they possess around the same intelligence as a dog or cat. Male ferrets are often slightly larger. Ferrets should be spayed or neutered.