How to Raise Gentle Ferrets

Contrary to some ugly rumors, ferrets are not maniacal creatures destined to raise hell. They can be quite loving, sweet and make for awesome pets, as long as you treat them right. You can raise gentle ferrets with plenty of patience, constant handling and a few simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ferrets
• Gentle nature

Raising Gentle Ferrets

1. Be gentle to the ferret yourself. Always hold them with a firm yet soft grasp, supporting his body weight beneath his rear in one hand while cupping your other hand under his front legs. All movement around the ferret should be equally slow, soft and soothing.

2. Know when they are hungry. Ferrets, especially younger ones, may bite at your fingers if they are waiting to be fed. Make sure their belly is full and then handle them.

3. Admonish them quickly, yet tenderly and move on. If a ferret does bite you, a smart tap on his nose and the word “No” should be all it takes to train him not to do that in the future. If you react with screaming, yelling or throwing a fit, the ferret is just going to become confused and fearful and may even lash out some more.

4. Quell fear. A scared ferret is one most likely to bite, just as many dogs attack out of sheer terror. If a ferret seems to be ready to lash out, speak to him in soothing tones, back off a bit and show him he has nothing to fear.

5. Get them to trust you. This is best done with daily handling, stroking them when they are eating or lying about and speaking in a soothing voice. The more you interact with your ferrets, the more trusting, and gentle, they will become.

Tips & Warnings

• Figure out when they are play-biting versus trying to take out a chunk of your finger. Some will nip in all playfulness, intending no harm whatsoever. The nip may be gentle enough to be tolerated, but you can still get them out of the habit with the firm yet soft admonishment.
• Never try to handle a scared ferret.
• Don’t expect results overnight. Trust and gentleness will take some time but it will be well worth all your efforts.
• Like any animal, some ferrets can be just born mean. If your repeated efforts fail with one of the ferrets, just make a note of it and be careful around him. Continue, however, to be gentle or you may make his behavior worse.

Resources

• More on ferrets

[Athenable]

on 9/20/2008 I like your suggestions. I have a very ferocious ferret myself.