The History of Ferrets as Pets
Thinking about getting a ferret as a pet? You aren't the first one! The use of domesticated ferrets as pets goes back a long time. There are drawings of animals in Egyptian crypts which may be of ferrets. As remains of these animals have not been found by archaeologists, no one can be absolutely sure that these were fuzzies though. These drawings could be of a similar African mustelid, such as a mongoose. Mongooses have been used in India for many years for snake and rodent control – Rudyard Kipling wrote a wonderful story, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi about an Indian mongoose (I loved that book as a kid!). However there are definite records by the Romans from about 4 BCE referring to the use of ferrets. Indeed, the name “ferret“ derives room a Latin word meaning “little thief” – many ferret owners will have experienced this habit for themselves, with their pets hiding small objects. The initial domestication of ferrets would have preceded this by many years. In fact, ferrets have been domesticated for so long that they can no longer survive in the wild, unlike cats. Their survival instincts have been bred out of them. That is one of the reasons why it is so important to have a quality ferret cage.
Ferrets as Hunters
Fearless Hunters!
Ferrets were initially used for hunting or as a means of deterring rodents, although, as with all working animals with personality, there would always have been a bond of affection between animal and owner which would put them in the class of pets as well. As rodent catchers they were more effective than cats, due partly to the deterrent effect of their strong natural odor. Cats gradually took over this role due to the fact that they didn't smell as bad as a ferret (descenting has made this less of a problem today). However, ferrets were preferred to cats for use on sailing ships, due to their ability to get into much smaller spaces.
As hunters, ferrets were unrivalled at their ability to flush rabbits from their burrows and they were widely used for this. In fact, at one time, possession of a ferret by a commoner was enough to sustain an accusation of poaching; only wealthy people who used them legitimately for hunting were allowed to own them. A sport called “ferret-legging" is thought to have arisen from the poachers’ habit of hiding their ferrets in the legs of their pants – this sport was revived and is practised in the USA, although it is not common. During the Middle Ages in Europe, ferrets were very popular for hunting, and there are many paintings attesting to their popularity as pets with their owners as well. Albino ferrets were preferred by hunters as they were easier to track.
Ferret Popularity
The big factor which reduced the popularity of ferrets as pets was their strong musky odour. Since the introduction of descenting in the same way as skunks by Dr Wendy Winstead in the USA, their popularity as pets has grown in leaps and bounds. There are many movies featuring ferrets and some actors have appeared with their pets as well. Check out movies like Beastmaster, Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire, or Lord of the Rings, for a start. Today ferrets are most often kept as pets, although some are still used for hunting, and in the USA they are sometimes used to pull cables through narrow conduits.
Ferrets have always appealed to humans much more than creatures such as rodent,s and with advances in their domestication, the popularity of ferrets as pets is growing. A ferret makes the perfect pet for someone living in an apartment or condominium as they require relatively little space and do not disturb the neighbours with their noise. Of course, you should be sure to check with your landlord if you rent, and you must be committed to spending some time with your ferret every day. In general though, ferrets are really a very good choice as pets for many people today.
Category: Pet Ferrets
I like your article but I feel compelled to correct you on one essential point: De-scenting does NOTHING when it comes to reducing the overall odour of a ferret. In the UK where we have kept ferrets for millennia it is considered to be cruel and unnecessary surgery and – since it is completely ineffective – we refuse to do it. Their body odour originates from minute glands throughout their skin which produce the oil that turns their coats blue in direct sunlight. Their anal glands are there to produce those little eye watering episodes that happen when they are startled or simply over excited in play. Despite their proximity to the anus these expulsions are not fecal in nature but comprise of approximately 17 separate compounds – mostly sulphurous – which, having extremely weak molecular bonds, dissipate within a couple of minutes. This being the case and despite the occasional embarrassment before guests we choose to accept this phenomenum as one of their many eccentricities rather than put them through surgery that is full of risk and that can have long-term health consequences. To reduce odour the most effective solution is a 9.4 mg deslorelin implant or surgical neutering just before their first season – not when they’re still babies. I point this out because it is important – since it is clear from fb that you all love your ferrets – that you campaign to halt what are essentially barbaric and ineffective surgical practices perpetrated by your ferret factories. You are a writer and these practices are dependant on the acceptance of public opinion which you have the ability to change. Start a campaign to improve the lot – and health – of all pet ferrets in the US!