insidetoronto.com

My family visited a pet show recently and we came home with a ferret. We've never had any pets in the house except for tropical fish and I have to admit this little weasel has taken my heart. We've named her Lacey and she's great fun. Do you think your readers would like to know more about these interesting little animals?

Patty

Dear Patty,

I'd be delighted to discuss ferrets. After locating a few ferret fanciers for more information, I understand why you're smitten with Lacey. These adorable little weasels have a growing fan club that see them not as an alternative to more popular pets such as cats and dogs but as a whole new category with their own set of interesting and diverse personalities.

According to FIRST (Ferret Information Rescue Shelter and Trust Society, based in Vancouver, B.C.), the ferret is the third most common uncaged pet in North America after dogs and cats.

They are indeed members of the weasel family, which also includes skunks, otters, minks and badgers but not, as FIRST points out, to be confused with the black-footed ferret currently listed as an endangered species.

Their history of domestication is up for debate but it's generally believed they're descendents of wild European polecats. One theory states they originated around 2,500 years ago in Eastern Europe where they were encouraged to make their homes around granaries to help with vermin control. Another study places them in the same region where they were used to hunt rabbits.

The domesticated ferret we know today is tame, inquisitive, intelligent and clean.

According to the resources I contacted, ferrets enjoy playing with other ferrets and, with supervision, are happy to play with other household pets like cats and dogs. This statement sounds like a stretch given the fact that a ferret would resemble a tasty lunch to the average Fluffy or Rex but, as is the case in many multi-pet households, never say never when it comes to adding another four-footed house mate.

Supervision is the key when animals are allowed to interact with others or if small children are involved.

Male ferrets are known as hobs, females are jills and babies are kits.

As adults, females weigh in at a petite two pounds while males range around three to four. Their lifespan is an average of eight to 10 years. They have soft, short hair in a variety of colours including brown, grey, black, white or pale yellow.

A ferret would enjoy its own cage but only as a safe haven for sleeping purposes or when the human needs to enforce a time out. These little gaffers sleep 18 to 20 hours daily but are known to be particularly energetic a few hours before sun-up and sundown. During their waking hours, they imbibe in somewhat frenetic activity, which may include their favourite hobbies: ransacking, playing and investigating every nook and cranny of their environment. They're also talented escape artists and owners will need to block off heating vents, cover accessible window screens and even ferret-proof their mail slots.

Ferret food is available commercially to address their specific nutritional needs but many owners supplement with cat food (kibble or canned) as well as fruits and vegetables on occasion. And yes, they're happy to use a kitty litter box. They should be spayed/neutered before they reach sexual maturity and owners are advised to ask their veterinarian about vaccinating against canine distemper and rabies and possibly placed on a canine heartworm preventive product depending upon the prevalence of this disease in your area.

Is a ferret for you?

According to FIRST, "If you have little household in-and-out traffic, don't mind occasional accidents and thrive on turmoil, you'll probably get along well with a ferret."

Visit www.ferrets.org for details.

E-mail jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion.