Ferrets were first domesticated around 2,500 years ago by Egyptians and have since been used for rodent control and as companion pets. Today, ferrets make popular house pets due to their small size, easy care, and entertaining personalities. While some myths exist such as claims of odor or wildness, ferrets can be trained and with proper care have minimal smell. Ferret ownership requires commitment as they require specialized food, veterinary care, and do best living with other ferrets.

1. FERRETS
Mustela putorius furo.

2. The Stinky Thief
THE PAST
Ferrets were domesticated around 2,500 years ago.
It has been claimed that the Egyptians were the first to domesticate ferrets.
Caesar sent ferrets to the Balearic Islands to control rabbit plagues in 6 BC.
Ferrets were first introduced into the New World in the 17th century.
They were used extensively from 1860 until the start of World
War II to protect grain stores in the American West from rodents.
In the late 60’s, Boeing Aircraft Corporation in Seattle and
British Columbia Telephones used ferrets to lay the guide wires
for pulling the heavier cables through pipes.

3. The Companion
THE PRESENT
Ferrets are used both for rabbit population control and as a means for human to obtain food.
Rodent Control for farmers to keep their grain safe.
Domesticated house pet is now the most popular use for these unusual little beasts. As they are
small, easy to care for and have entertaining and responsive personalities.
Ferrets in America are allowed to register as therapy pets by acting as a calming mechanism
for individuals suffering from anxiety and stress-related disabilities.
they can also be trained to alert handlers to take medication,
to wake up if asleep and to the onset of seizures or panic attacks.
The ferret is the worlds 3rd most popular companion pet
only behind the cat and dog.

4. The Myths
BUSTED
“Ewww they smell!” They do have their own smell like cats and dogs but when neutered it is
pretty inoffensive.
“But they’re wild animals!” Ferrets are NOT wild animals and cannot survive alone. Released
ferrets that are not picked up by rescue agencies face a long, slow death from starvation or are
attacked and killed by other animals.
“Oh no they bite!” Just like other pets ferrets require training when in comes to the uses of
their mouths.
“Eeek! It will run up my trouser leg!” Ferrets although very inquisitive would rather be picked
up and given attention, although given a chance and invited they will run through tunnels.
“They eat bread and milk” Ferrets are obligate carnivores
and should eat fresh raw meat, there are many commercial
dried kibbles made for them on the market.

5. The Truth
HONEST!
Ferrets are great fun, they are gregarious little bundles of kitten like behaviour that is kept
right throughout their adulthood.
They are trainable. Ferrets can be trained with a lot of time and patience to do many things
including using a litter tray and basic tricks to keep their minds active.
They do have their own smell but it is not as offensive as people think, if you keep them and
their environment clean then they smell no more than any other pet.
They can cause high bills. Due to requiring specialist food and veterinary
care the price of keeping one of more ferrets can run quite high!
They are addictive! Ferrets love the company of other ferrets and if you
own one you will soon come to the realisation that “one more can’t hurt!”

6. Technical Stuff
JUST THE BASICS
Intact ferrets are called hobs (boys) and jill’s (girls) and when they are neutered they become
hoblets and sprites.
Ferrets come in many colours but the basics are Albino, Fitch, Silver, Sandy and Dark eyed
white.
Jill’s come into season each spring and STAY in season until mated.
If left in season they develop a form of anaemia, which can cause death.
They are related to minks, polecats, otters, weasels, skunks, ermine and
badgers!
Their lifespan is an average of six to eight years although up to
thirteen years has been recorded.

7. Links
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
www.ferrettrust.org/
A dedicated national registered
charity within England and Wales
which aims to promote the care
and welfare of the domesticated
ferret.
www.scottishferrets.co.uk
Encouraging the responsible
ownership of both pet and
working ferrets in Scotland and
the UK
www.all-about-ferrets.com
This Site is All About Ferrets.
The Good, The Bad and The
Downright Ugly!
Thanks for staying awake (or looking awake anyway!)
Made by Claire Brown with the help of a few ferrets!