Ferret Behaviors

The “Weasel War Dance”

The most common behavior ferret owners talk about is called the “Weasel War Dance”.  No doubt this frolicking about brings a ferret owner great amusement – or great worry if the owner happens to be new to the antics of their new pet.  While cutting a rug in their own special style, ferrets fully engaged in their dance could bounce off walls, furniture, you, or anything else that they can find.

Not to worry about the thumps and bumps you hear while your pet ferret is bouncing from here to there.  These animals are quite resilient and will usually not hurt themselves while in the midst of releasing all that energy.    In fact, instead of simply sitting back and watching the show your ferret is putting on – which is probably very tempting – you can probably join in the fun!  Many ferrets love to play a game of “cat and mouse” with their friends.

The Five Finger Discount

Perhaps the most disturbing of all ferret behaviors is their penchant for making off with anything and everything they see as a treasure.  If you don’t hide valuables such as your keys, pens and pencils, even your wedding ring; your pet ferret will likely be off with it in no time.  And don’t even think about leaving those dirty socks within reach!  Socks make the perfect toy in a ferret’s eyes.  This tendency to sneak away with your valuables is only part of the ferret’s nesting instincts; they really mean no harm.  However, if you value grandma’s pearls, lock them up in a safe hiding place!

People who own more than one ferret may notice at least one of them making off with mouthfuls of food.  Again, this is part of their natural instincts to store food for later.  It is seen more when there is more than one pet in the home, likely because when a ferret doesn’t have that sense of competition, he can relax and leave food in the bowl where it belongs.

Making a Run for It

Ferrets are by nature a curious bunch.  Thanks to their ravenous inquisitive nature, these sprightly little animals will do anything and everything to get into a place they are not supposed to be.   This also works in reverse, so to speak.  Your ferret will only take so much of watching you leave every day to go to work before he decides he wants to go where you go.  While this behavior can be amusing – watching your ferret charge to the door anytime he knows you are leaving – it can also be dangerous.  A ferret who gets out is quite possibly a ferret that you will never see again.

OUCH!

One of the ways a ferret communicates with other ferrets, animals and sometimes even you is through nipping.  Nipping is not the same as biting and should not cause alarm.  It is, however, a nasty little habit that will take time and effort on your part to correct.  The best time to start breaking your pet from nipping is when it is 5 to 8 weeks old, when it is still a kit.   Unfortunately, most ferrets are still with the breeder or at a pet store during this time.   This means that you cannot be sure how much individual attention they get, and whether or not they get the handling they need.  Ferrets can nip for a few reasons, all of which are correctable.  Either your ferret nips during play, or when he is cranky.  Either way, you can take measures to correct nipping and move on to having fun with your ferret.