Ferret Behavior
A Quick Guide to Ferret Behavior
Ferret behavior can be baffling to new owners, and beguiling for those who’ve been around ferrets for a long time. Most people wonder “what are they thinking” when they notice certain behavioral traits of ferrets. Not to worry, most ferret behavior can be explained by the fact that they have natural instincts that may not be completely compatible with being a pet. As a ferret owner, you need to adapt to your ferret as much as your ferret has to adapt to you.
The most endearing ferret activities are exhibited when they are playing. Ferret play takes the forms of chasing, dancing, playful nipping, and even tail wagging. Ferrets are energetic animals and their playfulness can sometimes be misinterpreted for attacks. Unless their tail is bristled or puffy and they are hissing or screaming, your ferret is most likely being playful. They will jump from side-to-side, lose control, bounce off furniture or walls, and run around uncontrollably. During play, ferrets will often make a chirping noise.
Some behavior between two ferrets may look like wrestling. This could be good-hearted energetic fun, or it could be one ferret establishing its role as the alpha ferret in the relationship. If the wrestling is the latter, and the wrestling becomes too rough, you may need to step in and restore order before this ferret behavior causes injuries.
When ferrets are frightened or feel threatened, they will often hiss and their tail will get puffy. This is the ferret’s way of becoming a larger, more menacing animal. It will also often back itself into a corner when it’s frightened. The best response to this behavior is to leave the ferret alone and allow it to calm down and to feel safe again.
Two of the most annoying ferret behaviors are digging and stealing. These behaviors come right from mother-nature and they are hard-wired. You can train ferret not to do these, but it will take a lot of work and consistency.
Ferrets dig because it’s their nature and as pets because they are bored. As a pet, they dig through their litter, their food, and sometimes through furniture. Be aware of what you are leaving your pet to dig through. If digging becomes a major problem, you may need to cage your ferret when you are not able to actively watch it.
Ferrets are also notorious thieves. Some ferrets are picky and prefer objects made from certain materials, such as leather. Other ferrets will pilfer anything they can move. This comes from their nesting instinct and again, is a difficult behavior to correct. The best way to deal with this behavior is to keep keys, jewelry, and other important items out of your ferret’s reach.
Ferrets are explorers. If left to wander the house, they will explore every room thoroughly and will inquisitively go through every open door. The disadvantage of this is that your ferret may escape your house, in the spirit of adventure. Pet ferrets are not equipped for the dangers of the outdoors and unfortunately ferrets that have become lost, rarely come home. It’s recommended that you cage your ferret when you are planning to leave the house so they can’t run ahead of you and race out the door.
A sleeping ferret can be difficult to awaken. Ferrets sleep very soundly and sometimes for long periods. They are not guard dogs and do not feel any need to remain alert to potential dangers. Therefore, their sleep is deep and relaxed. Some ferret owners have found their ferret in such a sound sleep that they thought it had died. Even though deep sleep is common in ferrets, if your ferret’s sleep pattern suddenly changes, be aware that it could be a medical problem.