Snuggling up with a ferret takes some precautions, but first-time ferret lovers are often unaware of them. They assume ferrets are safe as pets. Although they are undeniably cute and fun, keeping them safely is not quite as easy as with other pets. Ferret bites can be quite dangerous if you are not careful. It is rare that these pets can harm you severely, but through their bites, that can make you seriously ill.
Ferret bites are dangerous in many ways. First, they are extremely painful and cause shock. Their bites aren’t normal bites like from an insect or playful pet. In reality, they chew off the skin. We have many stories that show pet ferret attacked babies and chewed their ears off. They attack the face as well, and in extreme situations, compel you to opt for plastic surgery or stitches.
Now we don’t want to come off sounding like a pet ferret hater.
You should be immensely careful if you have kids. They are wonderful animals but sometimes their vicious behavior can push them to bite you or the kids (especially if they are sleeping).
Even if you have a trained ferret, the danger of their unexpected bites will be present.
Since when they are in a panic, they run and scream and try to prevent their anxiety with the bites. Particularly, ferrets as new pets are uncomfortable. When you hand them off to a stranger or to the kids, they usually bite them just as a reaction.
Can Ferrets Transmit Disease To Humans Through Bites?
Ferret bites aren’t just dangerous because they’re painful, they transmit diseases as well.
Here are some common diseases that you get through ferrets:
1 – Parasites
2 – Rabies
3 – Rat Bite Fever
4 – Pasteurellosis
Let us define them in simple words one-by-one.
1 – Parasites
The parasite in ferrets can cause intestinal disease in them. If your ferret has diarrhea, mostly it means it has parasites as they hang out in their intestinal tract. This disease is usually spread through their cages while you are cleaning. Therefore, it can’t be transmitted through bite specifically. But, again, it is a risk that you face all the time. Experts recommend periodic fecal examination of ferrets as it is the only way to stay safe and stress-free at home.
2 – Rabies
Rabies is transmitted through the direct bite of some ferrets. And if you need any evidence of ferret bites being dangerous, rabies will teach even the most skeptical. It is more common than the parasite as it can also be transferred through the saliva of ferrets. The first few symptoms that you face are fever, headache, vomiting, and agitation. These symptoms can last for days. If you are bitten by a ferret, this is perhaps the first thing you should ponder, because it spreads fast. Ferrets that are vaccinated often don’t cause rabies through their bites. And by the time you have symptoms of rabies, it is often too late.
3 – Rat Bite Fever
It is an infectious disease and fortunately can be treated with antibiotics. It happens worldwide and is caused by keeping rodents as pets. When a ferret bites you, it looks like a small puncture wound. If that wound swells or gets some puss, there is a high chance you will get rat-bite fever if you won’t get treated straight away. Doctors often apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a clean bandage to treat the wound. In case the bit is left untreated, it can cause serious health problems like pericarditis, nephritis, pneumonia, and myocarditis.
4 – Pasteurellosis
It is a type of zoonotic disease that you also get from a ferret bite. It causes skin and soft tissue infection. This disease is rarely reported but if it is present you feel pain on active and passive movement of the fingers. Pneumonia is also seen in patients with Pasteurellosis. Unfortunately, the mortality rate in Pasteurellosis is quite high. Especially patients who already have underlying chronic diseases are affected the most. It can make their medical condition complicated.
What To Do If A Ferret Bites You?
Ferrets bite you because of many reasons.
The best thing you can do, at least in front of the ferret, is to ignore their bites completely. If you give their bites attention or react in any way, they learn that it is a form of getting your attention and they bite over and over again for your quick attention.
Even if you don’t suffer from any disease from their first few bites and stay safe, their habit of biting you over and over, may make you suffer extreme pain and make you ill someday. You can think of ferret bites as a small painful reminder some days, but they are ultimately dangerous if you let them continue.
Next, consider teaching them that biting has consequences. Put them in a cage for a few minutes as punishment and don’t let them play outside. Ferrets hate being alone. When they learn that their bites can cause trouble and they can be in the cage for too long, they stop biting and try to get your attention in friendlier ways.
Protecting Yourself From Ferret Bites
There are few other options that you can try to protect yourself.
1 – Give them toys to bite instead if they are overly excited.
2 – Don’t let them afraid of you in any way, because when they are afraid, they bite you.
3 – Treat them as your child; care for them, but show them your authority as well.
4 – Get bitter apple spray and apply it on your hands; ferrets hate that smell.
5 – Praise them if they act well; this builds their good behavior.
6 – If they are feeling nervous or suspicious, don’t touch them.
7 – Reward their calm, good behavior by feeding them with your hands.
8 – Once they bite you, stop playing/feeding-them immediately.
9 – If they aren’t releasing their bite, push your finger more in to induce a gag reflex.
10 – Lastly, in order to stay fully safe, use protective gloves.
Conclusion
Keep in mind, if a good, trained ferret suddenly starts biting, it means there is some medical problem. Take them to your veterinarian.
Since sometimes ferret bites due to illness, especially when they go blind or deaf. Your unexpected touch or an unusual smell may compel them to bite in self-defense. Furthermore, the hormonal changes in them can cause an increase in their biting behavior too.
In case they injure you through their bite in any way, wash your hand with soapy water at once. If your ferret isn’t vaccinated, you need to get medical attention immediately. A wound from an unvaccinated ferret is always dangerous.
If you have more tips for what works with your ferrets to keep them from chewing at your ears or nose when you pick them up, share them below! Stay safe fellow ferret owners.