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Dangers to ferrets
It has been suggested that ferrets were bred for their curiosity; whether this
is true or not, their curiosity often exceeds their common sense. Ferrets are
very good at getting into holes in walls, doors, cupboards, or in or behind
household appliances such as clothes dryers and dishwashers, where they can be
injured or killed by drowning, electrical wiring, fans, and other dangerous
items. Many enjoy chewing items made of soft rubber, foam, or sponge, which
present the risk of intestinal blockage and death if ingested. Serious and
sometimes fatal injuries have resulted from ferrets chewing on electrical cords.
Screen doors can be damaged by a ferret's claws, and dryer vents often become
escape routes to the outdoors.
Ferret crawling under reclinerUnlike dogs and cats, many ferrets display little
homing instinct and often do not thrive as strays.
Recliners are a leading cause of accidental death in ferrets. Ferrets will often
climb inside the springs and can be injured or killed once the chair is put into
a reclined position. Fold-out sofas cause similar problems.
For these reasons, steps must be taken to "ferret-proof" a home before acquiring
one as a pet. Ferret-proofing a house is an ongoing task that involves carefully
going through each room, removing items dangerous to ferrets and covering over
any holes or potential escape routes. As ferrets can open improperly latched
cupboards or doors by rolling over and clawing at the bottom edge, many owners
buy childproof latches or keep cleaning products in high, out-of-reach places.
However, ferrets can typically fit through any hole as small as the size of
their head, making some childproof latches ineffective.
Some people might prefer to house their pets outdoors in sheds, and not indoors.
This is becoming more popular, as owners realize the photoperiod effects to the
ferret being kept in light after the sun goes down.
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