Ferrets are a member of the Mustelid family of Carnivores (meat-eaters) that includes Stoats, Weasels, Badgers, Mink and Otters. However, it is important to realise that ferrets are domestic (not wild) animals that have been living alongside man for hundreds or thousands of years.

So, what are they like?

Firstly, ferrets are extremely playful and, unlike most other animals, retain their playfulness for their entire lives. Secondly, ferrets have an insatiable and wilful curiosity and will investigate anything and everything on their patch in every way that they can. Their uniquely curious and playful nature accounts for a large part of their charm as pets but also necessitates “ferret-proofing” your home before becoming an owner in order to keep them safe (see Preparing your Home). The vast majority of ferrets are happier kept in pairs or groups, although introducing new group members can be troublesome - for this reason it is usually better to get two ferrets together.

Ferrets have an infectious and almost irrepressible joy for life. Ferrets will play with people, other ferrets, inanimate objects or even other pets. Most play involves “fighting and biting”…and a lot of leaping about. In fact, many ferrets get so excited when playing that they bump themselves on or fall off pieces of furniture. Most ferrets will chatter when they are playing (or when they are cross) and some will even hiss (usually when cross). Some ferrets are very talkative, while others are totally silent - ferret kits are usually very vocal, gradually getting quieter as they grow up.

Ferrets are ideal pets for working people who are at work all day and, in this respect, have much in common with cats – they sleep a large proportion of the time, are readily house-trained, fairly wilful and independent in character and do not need taking for walks. Unlike cats, however, they are good travellers and, equipped with a suitable "weekend cage" can be taken most places with you. Ferrets can get on well with cats and dog (and with other domestic animals) although great caution should be exercised introducing them until the animals know each other well.

Ferrets enjoy the company of people and will constantly follow you around to make sure you don’t do something interesting without them. Many ferrets (at least while young and active) would rather be exploring or playing than being cuddled, although some are “lap ferrets”.

Like puppies and kittens, most baby ferrets nip or bite to some degree and most grow out of it. Consistent and appropriate discipline is essential to raise a happy, well-adjusted ferret. However, until you know your ferret well (whether he is an adult or a kit) never hold him up to your face. For some reason, ferrets just love to bite chins, noses and other bits that stick out...!

In many cases, young adult ferrets make better pets than kits – especially for the first-time ferret owner. They are just as playful, will probably have outgrown the nippy stage and their character and temperment will be easier to judge. In addition to this, ferret kits are only available between April and October – adult ferrets can be obtained from shelters all year round. The The National Ferret Welfare Society holds lists of Rescues and Welfare societies around the country and is a good place to start.

One final note. Think hard before mixing young children and ferrets. Ferrets are not really suitable pets for children under the age of about 8, although this does depend a lot on the maturity of the child. Young children could seriously injure or kill a ferret by falling on it or playing with in inappropriately. Ferrets and children playing together should always be supervised and children must be taught a respect for life and an understanding of how ferrets behave. If they are too young to understand this, then they are too young to be playing with ferrets (or, arguably, with any animal).