Dogs and cats are easy to care for; they are always at the top of the human-pet love pyramid. However, there are some other options as well, such as ferrets, that make interesting pets. There are some major differences between ferrets and other pets, so it’s important to know what to expect, especially if you have kids in the house.
What’s a ferret, you might be asking? Good question. Ferrets are the cousins of the European Fitch or Polecat. They are domesticated, and have been used for hunting rabbits for a long time, but they have also commonly been kept as pets.
If you are living alone, perhaps you don’t worry about this as much. But if you have a family and especially young children in the house, you definitely must have asked yourself one particular question. And the question is, ‘are ferrets good pets for kids?’
The main reason why some experts don’t recommend ferrets for kids is that kids are not very responsible and careful, and ferrets can be violent if you treat them roughly.
To protect your ferret and your kid, it is important to teach your child how to interact with a ferret safely. This requires time and dedication, since you’ll have to supervise the interactions to make sure your kid is handling the ferret(s) carefully each time.
In case your child is too young, having a ferret as a pet isn’t a good option.
There are some other reasons too that make ferrets unsafe for small children.
Distinct Personalities
Every ferret is unique. Does uniqueness make for a good pet? We think it does.
While there are certain common traits, two ferrets can’t be the same. For example, some ferrets like to climb, jump, and cuddle, but some don’t.
Therefore, being a ferret owner is very different.
Especially for a kid, understanding a ferret’s personality is incredibly important. If you have a smart alpha ferret, you must respect its leadership. Smart alpha ferrets don’t like to cuddle. They have an inquisitive and persistent personality that often keeps them in trouble.
On the contrary, a loner ferret personality likes to cuddle. It is very tentative and somewhat suspicious of all activities. You have to give it special one-on-one attention.
Ferrets Require Freedom
Ferrets need a lot of freedom.
Kids often flood pets with extraordinary attention and like to hold or play with them all the time. This behavior can actually irritate them and make them destructive.
Children also hold the ferret in an insecure position and squeal at them. This can compel a ferret to hurt your baby without intending to. You have to teach your kid how to hold a ferret correctly and leave him after a few minutes so that he can enjoy his independence and keep a calm mood.
Keep in mind that ferrets like to stay in a quiet environment – have you seen many kids stay quiet for long?
If you have kids, you know they often make high-pitched noises and can be very loud. Unfortunately, ferrets are hyper-sensitive to these things and they can become stressed in a loud environment.
Play Biting
You might wonder if ferrets are good pets, considering they might bite their owner regardless of how well they are taken care of. But play-biting or gentle biting is normal for ferrets.
It is their way to get attention and say ‘Hello’.
They will seem innocent at first, and suddenly, out of nowhere, attack your feet and nip at your toes to show their affection. For kids, this unpredictable behavior can be frightening. Their reflex might be to kick the ferret and make him develop hatred due to their panicked and frightening reaction.
It is also in a ferret’s nature to investigate the environment with its mouth. If some object or a toy confuses them, they bite it a little and see if it moves.
This is not a problem typically – ferret skin is thicker. When they bite each other during play, they don’t inflict any pain. But when they bite a human with the same intensity, it hurts, since humans’ skin is far more sensitive.
How To Keep Kids Safe
There are a few ways that you can help protect your kids around ferrets.
- It is only you who can determine the appropriate age for your baby to play with a ferret. If he is unable to understand that they need gentle attention, it is better to avoid buying ferrets as pets.
- Domestically bred ferrets are often not vicious or aggressive, but a young ferret usually doesn’t know what hurts you and what doesn’t. You might consider not letting your kids play with a young ferret. Instead, buy a mature ferret, as they know their limits.
- Ferrets respond to fear, pain, and noise. Teach your kids to play with them in a quiet, serene environment and to avoid making high-pitched noises. Additionally, try to eliminate other sources of noise. Don’t turn on the TV and consider lowering your phone or other devices’ volume.
- Supervise your children at all times. You need to devote your entire attention to your ferret and child; never leave them alone if your child is very young. In fact, consider teaching your kid how to hold a ferret like an expert; give a live presentation.
- If your children are small or you can’t supervise your children around ferrets, keep ferrets in the cage. Don’t let them roam around the house. Make sure the cage is large and has toys. The toys keep ferrets entertained and the cage will protect your kids as well.
- Keep the germ factor in mind. If you have a ferret, you also keep several litter boxes around the house and a child is more likely to end up playing in the litter boxes. In addition, ferrets have a weird, musky smell which can make some children anxious.
- Having ferret-free zones in your home or a limited play area for your ferrets which they can’t escape is also possible. Your children can see how ferrets behave, play, and explore different things. This strategy provides safe entertainment.
- Model how to play with ferrets and teach your kids specific details. For instance, they should never place their fingers in front of the ferrets’ mouth. Instead, approach the ferret from the back; this reduces nipping accidents.
Conclusion
Ferrets retain a lot of wild tendencies; you always have to be extra careful.
Don’t forget to buy lots of toys in lots of variety for them. Toys keep ferrets busy and your children delight also in watching them at play.
In Carson City, Nevada, a law was enacted to prohibit pet ferrets if you have a child under the age of 3. It has been overturned since then, but before buying a ferret, you should still verify with the laws in your area to figure out what is legal.
So, take the time to research what it takes to own a ferret if you have kids. Fortunately for you, this blog provides dozens of great articles full of useful information. But if you need more specific details or feel that your pet’s personality requires unique attention, talk to experienced ferret owners for their own safety tips; they may have had their own unique learning experiences.