Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #296936 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Synopsis
The ideal book for all new and existing ferret owners, covering all aspects of hygiene, breeding, feeding and care. Keeping ferrets as pets is increasingly popular and they are now the third most popular pet in the United States, after dogs and cats. This book is specifically designed for keepers of domestic ferrets in homes and apartments and covers the history of the ferret, how to choose the right pet, housing, feeding, housetraining, hygiene, exercise, breeding and even exhibiting. It will be a vital reference for all prospective and current owners.

Customer Reviews

Taking Pet Ferret Keeping back to the Dark Ages!
Having kept ferrets on and off for 15 years, and being a current owner of 17, I waited excitedly for this publication to be dispatched to me, as there are very few UK books on ferrets as pets... But what a disappointment! I started to read the book and was horrified and some of the opinions and advice, offered by the author, on how to keep a happy and healthy ferret. As someone who works closely with a national ferret 'rescue' organisation, I was very dismayed to think that a first time ferret owner may actually follow this advice!... smacking a ferret as a form of discipline.., small rabbit hutches being more than adequate housing, it being ok to bathe a ferret using washing up liquid... saying neutering can be performed before sexual maturity, recommending the potentially debilitating practice of descenting (usually only found in American text books) tinned dog food being a suitable diet and bread and milk is ok to feed as a treat... I could go on. How long did the author have this material hanging around before publishing it? It takes ferret keeping back to the bad old days - even some of the recommended websites at the back of the book have long been 'defunct'. Uk Welfare organisations have done sterling work to raise the profile of the ferret as a pet, and promote the correct way to keep a ferret happy and healthy... this book does untold damage and I really do hope that any existing and potential first time ferret owners out there, do not use this publication as their guide.

The pet ferret handbook
A common-sense, paractical guide to ferret keeping which is free of sickly-sweet animal sentimentality and gives a balanced view of caring and reponsible ferret keeping. For instance, although recommending smacking as a form of discipline, the author stresses the need for 'gentleness' in so doing. Smaller hutches are only recommended if plenty of play and exercise is given by the owner. Washing up liquid is used to rid oil from sea birds feathers and will not harm a ferret in any way whatsoever. Althoough the author does say that neutering can be carried out at any age, he does stress that some vets advise waiting until sexual maturity. Descenting is covered and balanced view given, for, though the author is obviously uncomfortable with the idea, he does say that if one cannot put up with the smell o a male, then this procedure is the only option available. Feeding is well covered and sound advice given. For instance, if feeding tinned dog meat, the author clearly states that this diet must be supplemented with a higher protein feed, condemning the feeding of bread and milk, but giving the owner the option of using such feed only occasionally; a balanced approach, for some mistakenly believe that they can give this type of food regularly. Thsi book is unique in that it helps the owner to more fuly understand the animals they keep and is fu of unsentimental advice, giving the reader choices and weighing up the pros and cons of such choices. Highly recommended.

Not a good book to buy
Very poorly written, not much of use and really just someone's view of having ferrets. Ferrets for Dummies much more useful!!