Ferrets, with their endless youthful exuberance and smiling faces, make wonderful pets. As many have learned, no two stallions are exactly alike. Just like humans, each ferret will have its own unique personality. Some will like to be pampered more than others. One can enjoy completely different games than another. Some may be more solitary than social. There is really no way of knowing what type of ferret you are getting until you bring it home and mix it with your family.
Even with all the differences between ferrets, there are also some basic similarities when it comes to ferret behavior. Here are some of the behaviors that most ferrets have in common:
o Bottle Brush Tail – Just like a cat, your ferret’s tail can stick out when he’s scared or excited. How do you know the difference? If your ferret is hissing and backing away while his tail is puffed up, he’s probably scared and needs to be left alone. If your ferret has just come out of his cage after a long period and his tail is swollen, he’s probably about to blow off some steam by running around the house!
o Backing into a corner – Ferrets will back into corners for one of two reasons. One is that he is scared. You will know this by their body language and vocalization. A frightened ferret puffs out its tail and snorts. If you see your ferret backing into a corner without showing fear, quickly pick him up and place him in the nearest litter box as he is about to relieve himself on the floor.
o Chasing – Ferrets can send their new owners into a frenzy with their play behaviors if the owner is inexperienced. The sight of your ferret jumping and lurching towards you may be startling, but really all the little one wants is to play tag with you! The ferrets will chase each other, the cat, or you. They don’t really care who plays chase as long as they play the game often. Remember, stallions
o Dig – Digging is a strong natural instinct that ferrets rarely ignore. They can dig in their food bowl, litter box, or favorite flower pot. Due to this tendency to dig, it is recommended that potted plants be moved outside or to a room that your ferret is not allowed to enter. Some ferret owners actually give their pets a place to indulge in this ferret behavior by mixing sand with potting soil in a box and taking it out to play. If you do this, just make sure you put the box somewhere that’s easy to clean!
o Sneezing: ferrets are glued to the ground and sniff everything in their path. For that reason, they are very close to the sneezing dust. When you hear sneezing coming from your ferret, there is no reason to worry. Just be sure to check for a runny nose or lethargy along with the sneezing. If this happens, your ferret could have a cold and need to see the vet.
These are just a few of the ferret behaviors you will be introduced to throughout your time as a ferret owner. He can be sure that his particular pet, sooner or later, will also display its own set of unique behaviors.