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By Mary R. Drews

PetSmart recently did some research and discovered that most pet owners don't know what their furry family members mean when they exhibit their various behaviors. So the researchers set out to explain the behaviors of cats and dogs and other "usual" house pets. Today we're going to explain some of the more common ferret behaviors because we can't have ferrets overlooked, can we?

Noises

Not all ferrets makes noises. It seems to be an individual thing. Some will make a lot of noises or a lot of one particular noise. One of the ferret's normal noises is chuckling or "dooking." This is a happy sound. Ferrets may make this noise when investigating things or playing.

Another normal noise is hissing. This isn't like a cat's hissing, it's more of a "shhhh" sound. If you hear this, your ferret is annoyed. This is a warning noise. Depending upon your particular ferret, hissing could mean "watch out or I'll nip you" or simply "quit it!" When my Balthazar was alive he would hiss when he was doing something wrong. Because I knew Bal was a mush, I knew his hissing didn't mean he was about to nip. Other ferrets might be different from Bal. Get to know your ferrets.

One of the scariest noises you may ever hear from your ferret is a scream. Usually this sounds like a human scream. A screaming ferret could be terrified or having a hypoglycemic seizure (as can happen with insulinoma). Either way, if your ferret screams, he needs immediate attention. But be certain to assess the situation before sticking your hand into it. A ferret who is having a seizure could unintentionally clamp down on a finger.

Litter Box

Ferrets can be somewhat finicky when it comes to using the litter box. First off, they don't bury their feces like cats do. Therefore, a fastidiously clean ferret might pass up a "used" litter box in favor of the floor next to the litter box. The decision-making process can be a little disconcerting. A ferret might hop in and out of the litter box several times before feeling "right" about where to go. In other species this might mean the animal is constipated or has a blockage or some other intestinal upset. But in ferrets it could be a normal behavior. Again, get to know your specific ferret's behavior. If you don't have an in-and-out-of-the-litter-box ferret, then that behavior could signal an intestinal issue.

Another litter box behavior that you might misinterpret is butt dragging. If your ferret "wipes" immediately after hopping out of the litter box, that's a normal behavior. Basically he is marking the area by dragging the anal scent gland on the ground (yes, I know most ferrets have had that gland removed, but they don't know that!). However, if your ferret continuously drags his butt, it might indicate diarrhea or some other issue. Naturally, you will need to investigate any unusual behavior and, if necessary, bring it to the attention of your veterinarian. The point here is that a little butt drag here and there does not mean your ferret is ill, as it might mean in other species.

Sleep

Ferrets yawn. A lot. The strongest muscle on a ferret is the jaw muscle. Remember, these little guys are carnivores and they're small ones at that. Evolution gave them powerful jaws that allow them to latch onto prey. Even if that prey is only a piece of ferret food or a Cheweasel. Yawning helps your ferret stretch out that very powerful jaw muscle.

Everyone's first ferret is a learning experience. Nearly everyone has had a ferret sleep like he's dead. You poke him, stroke him and shout his name, but to no avail. This is normal and is seen especially often in kits, oldsters and ill ferrets (though it does not mean your ferret is ill).

Grand Theft

Ferrets are consummate thieves. Some steal shiny objects and others steal smelly objects (think: shoes and socks). My ferret Ralph used to steal pens and paper -- no joke! Not only do ferrets rob you, but then they stash the contraband in their favorite spots. You will not break a ferret of a stealing habit. Either keep your precious items out of ferret reach, or learn where they hide them. At one point, I gave up trying to keep my shoes safe; when I took them off, I'd hand them to Sabrina to put them away. At least I always knew where they were when I needed them again.

Play

If there's anything ferrets do better than any other creature on earth, it is playing. When a ferret initiates play, he may advance on you and then back up. Some less well-behaved ferrets might offer a playful nip. Many non-ferret owners mistake this behavior for some sort of attack, but it is purely an invitation to play.

Perhaps the most famous of ferret play behaviors is the weasel wardance or ferret dance of joy. A ferret gets so excited and filled with joie de vivre that she basically bounce around like a pinball in some invisible ferret arcade machine. Again, the uninitiated might mistake this ferret behavior for aggression, but a ferret in the throes of joy is simply dancing with abandon.

Some ferret play-related behaviors might be a cause for concern or not based on the particular ferret who is exhibiting the behavior. Flat ferret or "ferret speedbump" is one such ferret behavior. For many ferrets, lying down in the middle of play simply means they're taking a rest. Spreading out, particularly on a cool surface, is one way a ferret stays cool. However, excessive flat-ferret behavior might indicate cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart). If you're unsure, ask your veterinarian.

Tails

We all know that when a dog wags his tail he's happy or excited, but that's not the case with ferrets. In ferrets, tail wagging is more akin to an ape's chest thumping. It's also very rapid. Unless you have some clear play tunnels (like a Ferret Super Thru-Way) you might not catch a ferret wagging his tail. Not all ferrets do this, but it's an amusing little behavior. Balthazar used to wag his tail whenever he faced off against another ferret in a tube or tunnel.

Bottle-brush tail happens when all the fur on a ferret's tail stands on-end. It might indicate alertness or alarm. Some ferrets will exhibit bottle-brush tail when they're exploring a new place or thing. Ferrets also exhibit bottle-brush tail when they're frightened or startled.

Scratching and Shivering

Your ferret is running through the house chasing his buddy when all of a sudden: "Itch break!" For the most part, this is a normal behavior. But if your ferret is scratching excessively, you'll need to take a closer look. Dry skin, insufficient rinsing of shampoo, adrenal disease, fleas or allergies can cause your ferret to get itchy. But the occasional itch break is fine.

In general, you don't need to be concerned about a ferret shivering when he first awakens. But if your ferret is acting lethargic or showing other types of abnormal signs or symptoms, check with your veterinarian.

Face Washing

Well, it looks like the ferret is washing his face, but it has more to do with eau de ferret cologne than cleanliness. Ferrets love smelly things. Case in point, feet. Most ferrets revel in the smell of stinky socks or shoes. There's no accounting for taste, I suppose. They like their own smell, too. When you see your ferret -- quite adorably, I might say -- chewing and licking his paws and then rubbing his paws over his ears and snout, he's actually spreading scent gland secretions from glands by the ears around his head and face. In short, he's applying his own cologne.

Further reading:
Ferret News #80 - Living Longer: Get To Know Your Ferret

Ferret News #82 - Stashing Toys

Ferret News #67 - Ferret Ear Biting

Ferret News #89 - Could Your Ferret Be Sick?

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