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Does your ferret belong to the rat family, or is it a relative of the weasel?
Although many people think that a ferret is a rodent, it is not. Ferrets are cousins of weasels, skunks and otters. They are also close relatives to mink, badgers and polecats. Some see them resembling a mix between a cat and a dog, with stronger canine characteristics.
Not unlike most of today’s pets, the history of the ferret and its domestication is vague, but thought to relate to hunting. Ferrets have been domesticated for at least 2500 years. In the United Kingdom and some other parts of the world, they are still used for hunting rabbits. During World War II they were used to protect grain stores from rodents in the United States. The practice of using ferrets for hunting is now illegal in the U.S. and Canada.
Although ferrets are fast becoming a very popular pet, too many people don’t understand what a pet ferret is and they’re seen as wild animals like raccoons or skunks, rather than a domestic species like housecats. This fundamental problem has caused them to be banned in certain states, counties, and municipalities. They are illegal in California and Hawaii, but actions are in place to change this.
Another popular misconception is that ferrets pose a serious rabies danger. It's very difficult for a ferret to catch rabies and when one does it dies very quickly, so the danger is extremely small. There is a ferret rabies vaccine which has been shown to be effective.
There have not been any confirmed cases of feral ferrets (ferrets escaping and becoming wild) in the U.S. and the few deliberate attempts to introduce domestic ferrets to the wild have failed. Domestic ferrets have long ago lost all natural instincts and cannot survive on their own in the wild.
Today, the ferret’s main purpose in life is that of a loving, devoted pet.
Although many people think that a ferret is a rodent, it is not. Ferrets are cousins of weasels, skunks and otters. They are also close relatives to mink, badgers and polecats. Some see them resembling a mix between a cat and a dog, with stronger canine characteristics.
Not unlike most of today’s pets, the history of the ferret and its domestication is vague, but thought to relate to hunting. Ferrets have been domesticated for at least 2500 years. In the United Kingdom and some other parts of the world, they are still used for hunting rabbits. During World War II they were used to protect grain stores from rodents in the United States. The practice of using ferrets for hunting is now illegal in the U.S. and Canada.
Although ferrets are fast becoming a very popular pet, too many people don’t understand what a pet ferret is and they’re seen as wild animals like raccoons or skunks, rather than a domestic species like housecats. This fundamental problem has caused them to be banned in certain states, counties, and municipalities. They are illegal in California and Hawaii, but actions are in place to change this.
Another popular misconception is that ferrets pose a serious rabies danger. It's very difficult for a ferret to catch rabies and when one does it dies very quickly, so the danger is extremely small. There is a ferret rabies vaccine which has been shown to be effective.
There have not been any confirmed cases of feral ferrets (ferrets escaping and becoming wild) in the U.S. and the few deliberate attempts to introduce domestic ferrets to the wild have failed. Domestic ferrets have long ago lost all natural instincts and cannot survive on their own in the wild.
Today, the ferret’s main purpose in life is that of a loving, devoted pet.
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OMG! I LOVE FERRETS!
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