The history of one of our favorite domestic pets is still awhirl in controversy. Some points are generally agreed on, but much is still shrouded in mystery.
References to ferrets, or at least very similar animals, goes back many centuries. Though not identified exactly, something very like ferrets is mentioned in a play by Aristophanes and [...]

Like any aging mammal, ferrets get tumors, cancers and the like. When they reach around age four or later, the odds increase. The average ferret lifespan is between 6-8 years. One of the more common types is a form known as insulinomas. These are tumors from insulin producing cells in the pancreas. In addition to [...]

How it is even possible to be a veterinarian is something of a mystery. Being a physician that treats humans is challenging enough. They spend years learning anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and a dozen other major subjects. Yet medical doctors have only one species to study. Vets are expected to know a half-dozen or more.
Many, [...]

When thinking about ferrets and the law, few have to think about what trouble their ferret got into. Though there has been a lawsuit or two involving bites and yard or toy damage. But when considering the choice to invite one of these fascinating creatures into your home, there are still a few things worth [...]

Like dogs, cats and other mammals, ferrets can acquire dangerous viruses. Sometimes those are fatal. But that result can usually be avoided by a proper vaccination schedule, using the right vaccines.
As in humans, dogs and so forth, vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against a disease organism before it occurs. That [...]

Like cats and dogs, ferrets can be bitten by fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other potentially harmful parasites. Ctenocephalides felis, the most common cat flea, is the primary culprit. But since ferrets love to explore burrows, if they’re let outside, they can readily come into contact with others.
Just as with cats and dogs, flea problems are [...]

Ferrets, like many of the cousins in the weasel family, have a natural musky scent. Over time that can build up to an unpleasant level. That happens too often in pet stores and the homes of careless owners who don’t house and clean the cage properly. But some odor can be present even in the [...]

Keeping your ferret properly caged and supplied with toys isn’t just for its (or your) amusement. Though that’s not a bad reason! The proper cage and accessories will help keep it safe, healthy and out of trouble.
Ferrets sleep about 18 hours per day, but the other six hours they can be (and usually are) extremely [...]

A Humorous Commentary from Hallmark Character Maxine
People often ask me, “Maxine, should I get a cat, or should I get a dog?” I reply, “Neither. You should get lost.”
Still — and I would never admit this to them — it is a good question. There are many things you should ask yourself before getting a [...]

Americans are crazy about animals, and the number of pets in homes has never been higher. However, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), the incidence of perennial allergies is on the increase, with an estimated 63 percent of allergy sufferers now coping with year-round problems.
We’re not talking about a big [...]