Ferret Facts Information - History, Odor and Health Problems

Ferrets are one of the most friendly animals you can have as a pet, but they have gotten a bad reputation over the years. Actually, this reputation is almost entirely unfounded facts as these pets are great. There are a number of myths and errors about ferrets that continue to persist in our society and are continued to be repeated by people who have little first-hand knowledge and information of these animals. This is probably why these rumors continue despite reality being the exact opposite.

Ferret History
Some people say that ferrets were first around in Ancient Egypt, but there hasn’t been any solid evidence to support this idea. There are a few hieroglyphs that look like ferrets, but that doesn’t completely support the idea that these animals were domesticated pets of the pharaohs.

No one knows where ferrets came from certainly, but there are a number of clues that scientists use to make an educated guess. For example, the physical appearance, including their fat distribution, teeth, diet and more can give them a lot of information. With this information at hand, they guess that ferrets most likely came from the line of European polecats. They were the preferred pets of European royalty in the late Middle Ages as well.

Odor Problems
Every animal, including humans, has a distinct smell. However, ferrets do not smell bad consistently like the rumor suggests. The strong odor that some people associate with ferrets is typically the result of poor care and cramped conditions. If you pick up a ferret in the pet store and it smells, blame the owner of the pet store, not the ferret!

Ferrets have a natural scent that is musky. They can emit a spray when they are scared, similar to a skunk – but certainly nothing that smells like a skunk! However, this spray is very rare. Male ferrets can get aggressive during mating season and will sometimes give off another kind of smell. A lot males will also have their glands removed and will be neutered as well to prevent this future problem.

Oftentimes, if your ferret smells, it’s because their bedding or cage is not clean. You will need to wash your ferret at least two times a year, as well as clean out their litter boxes regularly and have their bedding changed weekly. That way, you can take care of any smells before they begin.

Health Problems and Concerns
Ferrets can get cancer just like any other animal on the planet (except sharks!) Most animals get cancer later in life frequently, but ferrets can get cancer anytime after the age of four. Cancer can occur at any age, but the older the mammal is, the more likely they are to catch this serious disease. However, ferrets don’t get tumors or cancer any more frequently than any other pet.

Ferrets do commonly get adrenal disease, insulinomas and lymphomas later in life. There are other diseases, such as ADV or Aleutian Disease Virus that will show up more frequently in ferrets than in other animals, but all species have diseases that are unique to their breed.

Adrenal disease is common in older ferrets and they will show signs of balding. If you see hair loss at the base of the tail or neck, you should consider a vet. They will give your animal a blood test to be sure.

If you give your ferret the proper care and attention, they will be happy, friendly pets. These animals are nothing like the traditional pets of dogs and cats, but will exhibit cheerful, happy behavior to make you happy you have them. And that is not a myth at all!

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