Ferret Info

Looking back over the history of the domesticated ferret, one can see that these inquisitive creatures were initially bred to be hunters; thanks to being the good little carnivores they are.  With that knowledge, it is easy to see why they will at times show predatory behaviors.

In general, it’s safe to say that ferrets like to play it rough.  Starting at about six weeks of age, you can notice a young ferret begin to nip and bite.  If left uncorrected, this habit will continue into adulthood, where play can become more aggressive.  The common biting seen is neck biting.  This is typically a controlling behavior demonstrated by the male ferret when mating.  It is also their natural tendency to bite in the neck, as this is the most effective way for a hunter to kill his prey.

A ferret who is warning a competitor to stay away from his territory may do so by lunging, showing off a sideways attack, or dancing around while making a staccato clucking sound.  This is also called the Weasel War Dance.  Some ferret owners see this in their pet when they are just let out of their cage and feeling happy.  However, if you see it in a time when a new ferret has been introduced, it may be a predatory warning.

Besides hunting, apparently domesticated ferrets, along with their relative, the polecat, used to steal the burrows of other animals and do their own renovations in order to make it their own.  These two predatory habits have come along with the pets we have in the home today.  A pet ferret will love to burrow into whatever it can – the pile of laundry on the floor, the cozy blanket you have  placed in his bed, or a long tube you find for him to crawl through.  Whatever you provide him with that he can get down into, he will do so with glee.  Given the proper hiding place, he will not only set up shop to hunker down at times; he will also steal all sorts of little treasures to take to his favorite hideout.  This storing behavior is natural for the hunter/gatherers of the world.

Ferrets who have not been spayed or neutered will mark their territory.  If you do not like the idea of cleaning urine and feces off of the area they choose to mark, you may want to make sure and see the vet before your ferret reaches sexual maturity.  Getting your ferret spayed or neutered before this time should stop the behavior.  Buying a ferret from a breeder or store that has removed the ferret’s anal gland does not stop the marking behaviors from happening.  Only spaying or neutering will prevent this.  Ferrets are very careful about their living space and will not mess that up.  They will, however, pick some vertical spot like your living room wall and spray, defecate, rub their anal gland or all of the above.  They cannot be trained not to do this, it’s just what comes naturally.