Learning is Fun with Chinook the Ferret

Fact or Fiction?

Remember that television show “Fact or Fiction” with the actor, Jonathan Frankes who played Commander William T. Riker in “Star Trek: The Next Generation?” The television show was so entertaining, it told you a tale and you had to guess if it was Fact or Fiction. Chinook the Ferret, America’s favorite ferret would like to take a moment to entertain and educate, you, the reader on the myths and facts about owning a ferret. Some people hesitate when considering a ferret as their new family pet. Learn the facts before you bring home one of these lovable critters. I should know. As lovable as I am to my human providers, I can be a handful when I want to be. Learning is fun with Chinook the Ferret, let’s test your knowledge.

FACT OR FICTION
Question 1: Ferrets are rodents.

Question 2: Ferrets are cage animals and are content to be kept in a cage at all times like a hamster or gerbil.

Question 3: Only certain vets will accept will see an ill ferret.

Question 4: Ferrets are very aggressive animals and often bite people when held.

Question 5: Ferrets can eat any “ferret food” brand found on the market or any cat food as long as the food is moist and meaty.

Question 6: Cats and ferrets are a good mix to be in the same household.

Question 7: It’s cruel to cage a ferret when you’re not home.

Question 8: Ferrets go to the bathroom everywhere and will not use litter boxes unlike my cat.

Question 9: Ferrets are contented to be played with daily.

How did you do with the quiz? Could you tell what was fact or fiction, check out the correct answers below:
ANSWERS
Question 1: FICTION. Ferrets are not in the rat or rodent family. Ferrets are in the Mustelidae family. Mustelidae refers to a family of fur-bearing carnivores, characteristically possessing well-developed anal scent glands, and the animals in this group are called mustelids.

Question 2: FICTION Ferrets need DAILY exercise outside of their cage. Ferrets are curious animals and like to explore new things so it is always important to keep an eye on them.

Question 3: FACT Finding a vet who will specialize in the care of your animal are hard to find. It is critical you establish a contact for your vet ahead of time; their life could depend on it.

Question 4: FICTION Okay, I know some of you saw that Leatherface/Ferret with the chainsaw in the beer commercial but believe it or not ferrets do not bite unless provoke like any other animal. Ferret kits (babies) can be nippy in their young years and this is like a human baby teething. Kits can be trained not to nip and when you have a ferret that may nip you; then you have a ferret that has been abused or never been handled by humans. Can you blame us? Gee. Be nice to me and love me and I will do the same. Dook Dook. (Ferret talk for “get it?” )Fiction:

Question 5: FICTION Just because there is a picture of a cute ferret on the packaging does not mean us ferrets get our nutrition. Do not look shock, do you always buy that package of cookies because it says sugar-free without looking at the calorie count? We are carnivores and many commercial diets on the market do not have enough protein, especially cat foods. Ferrets shouldn’t eat cheap cat foods made mostly of corn, many of the cheap foods also contain dried fruit bits that can cause a blockage.

Question 6: FACT Of course, only the cat owner knowing their pet will know the true answer to this question. However, cats and ferrets are both carnivores so there’s no “hunter/prey” relationship, most cats look at ferrets as kittens or another playmate.

Question 7: FICTION Even the ferret may want to be let out of the cage, for their safety, the ferret must be monitored. Also in the event of a fire and you’re not home. firemen would not know to look in drawers, closets, etc. By placing a pet tag on your window any rescue unit will know how many animals you have and any loose ferret will not be found amidst smoke and fire during a rescue.

Question 8: FICTION Please gimme a break people, this is a personal question. Do you like talking about your potty training days? We can be trained to use our litter boxes in our cages and the litter boxes in the play area. Just keep me near one when I wake up.

Question 9: FACT Ferrets are social animals and need interaction with their human provider and other animal friends. Use caution when letting your ferret play with a dog or cat especially dogs tend to get a little rough.

There are many of my ferret brothers and sisters out there my friends. If the local pet stores do not have one, there are plenty of ferret rescue shelters that will be excited to place a lovable ferret like yours truly into your home. Thanks for reading. I told you LEARNING IS FUN WITH CHINOOK THE FERRET.