Other than differences in size, both male and female ferrets look the same. It can be almost impossible to tell the difference between the genders just by comparing their coloring, body shape, activity level, or personality. Male ferrets are as fun, curious, and intelligent as their female counterparts. Every ferret, no matter their gender, has a unique personality.
Therefore, it is impossible to tell the difference between a guy and a gal based solely on their personalities. You should know that ferrets are excitable and can get themselves into trouble if they do not have plenty of toys to play with and people or other animals to interact with. These animals enjoy the safety of an enclosed habitat, but they will not be happy spending all their time in it. They need the opportunity to get out and run around.
If the whole house cannot be proofed for a ferret, at least one room in the home or an attic or a garage should be proofed so they can spend their free time there.
Male ferrets can start breeding by about 9 months of age and will do so rapidly if they have the chance. If owners do not want ferret babies running around, they should have their male pets neutered if they will be living with female ferrets.
Males do not go into heat cycles as females do. They will simply attempt to reproduce when a female they have access to is in heat. Male ferrets are suitable for any household that has room for them to run around and play in. Ferrets get along with children, teens, adults, seniors, and other friendly animals such as dogs and cats.
They should never be left to roam outside unattended because they can easily become prey for wild and neighborhood animals. They need plenty of exercise outside of their cages on a daily basis. They can be trained to walk on a lead with a harness.
They are most active at dawn and dusk, and can sleep for up to 18 hours a day. Ferrets can be kept on their own if they have plenty of human interaction and attention or in small groups — ideally of the same sex, or neutered males and females. Ferret housing must be secure and sturdy to prevent these small inquisitive creatures from escaping, and should be as large as possible. Ideally for a pair of ferrets, an enclosure of 3m x 2m x 2m to allow them to have plenty of room to exercise and play.
Ferrets will require an annual health check at the vets. Ferrets, like cats and dogs, can also be microchipped which is helpful to identify them if they were to go missing. Rehoming FAQs.
How you can help Sponsor Leaving a gift in your will Give in memory Amazon wishlist. Volunteer in our shops. Our charity shops Online shop Donate your items. Urgent support. How many ferrets should you keep? Ferrets love the companionship of other ferrets for comfort and play.
Share via. Introducing your ferrets to each other Always mix ferrets on neutral territory, ideally in an area that they can stay in undisturbed for one to two weeks. What to do if ferrets become aggressive Ideally, always introduce ferrets with two people there to monitor. How to know if your ferrets accept each other Although ferrets usually ignore each other for the first few minutes, their first few hours together will give you some indication as to whether the mix is likely to work or not.
However, when they are not neutered, there may be some temperament differences. When male ferrets reach sexual maturity and start to rut, they become both very territorial and aggressive. Males may attack other ferrets, other animals, and even people.
They will also try to breed with any female they can find. Female ferret behavior does not change a lot when they go into heat unless she is unable to mate. If a female ferret does not mate, the cycle is continuous, which can lead to the fatal condition called aplastic anemia due to too high estrogen levels.
Other than in heat and rut, both female and male ferrets are very friendly, playful creatures. They are natural hunters, so they should not be left along with lizards, rabbits, rodents, fish, birds, etc. There is no difference in lifespan based on gender.
In the wild, most ferrets live somewhere between one and three years. On the other hand, in captivity, ferrets tend to live four to six or even eight years. Some ferrets have been known to live for ten or more years, though that is rare, so you should not expect it.
Furthermore, de-sexing your ferrets can help minimize the smell significantly. Male ferrets in rut and female ferrets in heat can get really smelly, really fast. Males tend to have a stronger smell than females unless they are neutered. Both ferret neutering and spaying can be done at most veterinary practices.
They are also both relatively quick procedures, so you should be able to pick your pet up the same day you drop them off. Because spaying is a more complicated and dangerous surgery than neutering, it will likely be slightly more expensive.
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