Once someone decides they want to share their lives with a ferret, they usually feel the urge to find out absolutely everything they need to know about their new pet and which objects they should buy before their new friend’s arrival. Some of the most common questions new owners ask at this point have to do with the most appropriate diet and toys their ferrets need, the most effective ways to adapt their homes to get rid of potential dangers or even tips on how to best interact with these animals. However, have you ever asked yourself if you know how to help your ferret throughout their development, both physical and emotional, so they are able to become grounded and balanced adults? Are you sure you know what your ferret needs in each of the stages of their life development, other than toys, appropriate food and love? The purpose of this article is to establish the stages of ferret development from birth to old age so owners can see the evolution of their animals throughout their lives, which will undoubtedly help understand their behavior and needs in every single one of these phases. Since ferrets are relatively unresearched animals when compared to dogs and cats, several Spanish and foreign breeders and a specialist in Iberian fauna were contacted to try to determine with the data obtained the most appropriate stages of development when it comes to ferrets, using as a reference the stages of dog development previously established by canine educators. Furthermore, a glossary has been included at the end of this article in order to explain some of the most specific concepts included in this text. It is essential to understand from the very beginning that these stages are not strict categories, in fact, they usually overlap one another. This is the reason why, despite establishing approximate time frames, this does not mean in any case that once the animal has reached a specific age, one stage is left behind and another one starts automatically. These stages flow and evolve in such a way that each individual makes progress at their own pace, within some common standards.
NEONATAL STAGE 0 - 3/4 week[]
From birth to approximately 3/4 weeks of life, kits are entirely dependent on their mother and littermates. Throughout this stage, all the kits basically do is eat and sleep. Ferrets are born deaf and blind. It is not until the very end of this stage and the beginning of the next one when they open their eyes, they start to perceive sounds and to receive external stimuli. During this stage, breeders should not disturb the mother or the kits other than to make sure that they are okay, the mother has enough food, there are no problems with milk supply and that all the kits develop at the expected pace and gain weight every day. Baby ferrets are extremely fragile animals and even the most insignificant cause of stress can influence their appropriate development or become an important factor that could determine whether or not they will be able to survive this delicate stage. Some of the most common stressors in this period are the mother’s absence, lack of contact, excess of manipulation, premature weaning or even the fact that the temperature of the room where they are is too high or too low..
ORAL EXPLORATION STAGE 3/4 - 6/7 weeks[]
It is not until the kits are 3/4 weeks old when they open their eyes and ears and start perceiving exterior stimuli. It is also in this stage when they begin to exit their nest to relieve themselves and to play with their littermates. These first games and interactions will bring about the beginning of an essential lesson for the kits that will allow them to learn bite inhibition, based on trial and error. At the beginning of this stage, the kits will also get started on solid food —something that it is initiated either by breeders or the mother herself, who will slowly start to introduce food inside the nest for her babies. At about 4/5 weeks of age, the kits will start to go outside the nest to interact more actively with their environment, instead of just to relieve themselves.
Generally, it is at the end of this stage when weaning starts. This is such a progressive process that at first it can go by unnoticed by breeders, since this is not something that happens overnight. The mother will begin to feel discomfort once the kits’ teeth start to develop. At this point, the litter will start to show more interest in the supplementary food offered to them and in their surroundings, which will lead them to slowly start spending less and less time inside their nest. It is worth mentioning that Furopedia recommends starting the babies on raw food, rather than kibble, right from the beginning.
It is difficult to say when weaning is fully completed, since the data obtained from the consulted breeders varies quite significantly depending on each particular litter, mothers or even the kits themselves. The gathered data marks the end of this process at some point between 7 and 10 weeks of age, even though sometimes it lasts even longer, which only confirms that it is common for the mother to keep feeding the kits even when they are able to eat on their own. Nevertheless, there is not denying that the kits are still quite dependent on their mother at this stage and they need to rest a lot, even though they may have short bouts of activity. It is essential to keep providing a place of calm, free from stimuli, for the babies where they feel safe to rest as much as they need. It is during this stage when inexperienced breeders make more mistakes when they think that the babies are ready to be separated from their mother because they are able to eat on their own. Separating them at this point would bring about plenty of issues for the babies. Considering it is ideal that the kits remain with their mother until they are at least 12 weeks old, if breeders separate them at 4 weeks, for example, they will be depriving the babies of 2 out of 3 parts of their natural development alongside their mother and littermates. This way, breeders take away the kits’ attachment figure at a time when they are not ready yet to manage this moment. Basically, they are leaving alone an animal that is not yet ready to be left on their own, exposing them to a series of stimuli (new home, sounds, scents, contacts, people, and so on) the ferrets are not ready to cope with, while abruptly suppressing lactation, a process that has to come to an end slowly and progressively. Not to mention that oral exploration with the rest of the littermates, one of the most important needs the kits have at this stage, will end completely. As a result of this, the baby that owners will welcome into their homes will be a biter, a habit that families will undoubtedly try to put to an end thinking that this is not something that should be encouraged, instead of trying to understand that kits need to bite, since it is a vital part of their learning process.
Regardless, there may be situations that might lead ferrets this age to go to their new homes. So, what can owners do on such occasions? They need to offer their new ferrets a safe place where they can feel protected. During this stage, kits need plenty of contact, so it would be the family’s job to make sure that they are able to provide them with lots of attention, as well as a calm place free from stimuli where they can rest and sleep. It is also essential that the ferret’s need to bite is respected at this point, even if this is not something new owners may consider pleasant, and it is absolutely necessary that owners always come to their ferrets’ side when they hear them cry. Above all, owners need to understand that their ferrets are not trying to get their attention, they will simply need their human family in the same way they would need their mother if they could be by their side.
SOCIALIZATION STAGE 6/7 - 10/12 weeks[]
SAt around 6 weeks old, kits start playing more intensely. It is also at this point when they begin to show even more interest in their surroundings and in new stimuli. It is the ideal moment for breeders to start interacting more with the babies (despite the breeder more active role, it is important to note that the mother and the rest of the littermates continue to be their main referent). It is also the best time to introduce the kits to other ferrets, humans or even the ferrets that will be waiting for them at their new home once they are 3 months old. It is essential to choose well the ferrets that may be allowed to interact with the babies to avoid unpleasant or traumatic situations. It is worth mentioning that itis not necessary for the kits to meet ferrets every day, once or twice a week is more than enough. . This is the perfect stage to offer them more space to roam and explore and to introduce new objects inside their playground. However, it is important to keep in mind that, even though new families are going to be thrilled to have the possibility to spend more time with the babies, the kits still need to rest for long periods of time. The learning experience is going to be much more valuable if kits do not become restless or overwhelmed after a long interaction that they may not be ready for yet.
PRIOPCEPTION AND PSYCHOMOTRY STAGE 3 - 6/7 months[]
The main component of this stage is physical play. Kits start to play much more roughly and intensely. Playing with other ferret is a key element of this stage because it is at this moment when they become aware of their own strength and learn to control it. However, during this stage ferrets will not be able to stop a game on their own just yet.
Generally, it is during this stage when ferrets go to their new homes and families are usually so eager to play with the babies that they may not realize that they are stimulating them too much to ask them to calm down once they get carried away and start biting. It is common for new owners to even tell the ferrets off to correct this behavior when they may not be completely ready to control their bite. Families should be empathetic and use their common sense: if they don’t want their ferrets to play intensely with their hands, they should offer other type of games. On the contrary, if they are willing to cope only slightly with the intensity of the game, they should play games that won’t allow the ferrets to completely lose it. Adult ferrets handle younger ferrets really well, once the quarantine period is over and they have been properly introduced. However, size is quite important at this point, since it is unlikely that a small adult female ferret will be able to stop a big baby that already weighs twice as much. Owners should be aware of this so they can be around in case they need to intervene to put an end to these situations. Between the start of this stage and the end of the previous one, one can already notice that sometimes interactions with ferrets of similar size and age, or even when babies are stronger or bigger than the adult they are playing with, may result in nasty neck wounds if the situation is not handled well. This is why sometimes it is best to keep the ferrets apart when the owner cannot be present to supervise the interaction.
SEXUAL AWAKENING STAGE → 7/8 months to 12 months[]
During this stage, ferrets will come into heat. It is important to know how to identify it, which are the most appropriate ways to end it and which are no longer recommended.
If all the previous stages have been respected and the ferrets’ needs have been fulfilled, ferrets at this point, regardless of their own particular personalities, should be able to meet other ferrets successfully. At this age, ferrets should also control the strength of their bite perfectly, so they should able to play with bare hands safely, as well as interact with smaller-sized ferrets without fearing setbacks or accidents.
YOUNG ADULT STAGE 1 - 2 years[]
In this stage, ferrets are already considered mature but they still show frenetic bouts of activity typical of younger ferrets. These ferrets will be able to remain calm or play more intensely, depending on the particular situation or on the personality of the ferrets they have to interact with.
ADULTHOOD STAGE 2 - 6 years[]
Ferrets at this point will already have a defined personality and, if the previous stages have been respected, they will not present any behavioral issues, fears or insecurities. These animals are able to educate younger ferrets and to set firm boundaries.
SENIOR STAGE 6 years onwards[]
In this stage, or maybe even sooner, owners will start to observe small signs that will let them know that their ferrets have gone into the last stage of their lives. It is likely that throughout this phase ferrets will need our empathy and contact more than ever. It is important to bear in mind that they may need changes in their surroundings as well, such as more accessible places or changes in their diet. Visits to the vet and check-ups should also be more frequent in order to avoid unpleasant surprises. It is in this stage when owners should be there more than ever to help and compensate their ferrets for everything that they have given them throughout their lives.
Glossary
Stressor: A stimulus, condition or situation that causes stress.
Attachment figure: The object or person of a strong emotional attachment. In ethology, attachment is an intense, deep and enduring emotional bond that is developed and consolidated among two individuals through reciprocal interactions. Its immediate purpose is the pursuit of proximity at moments of danger to satisfy the need of safety, comfort and protection this figure provides.
Priopception: It is the ability of the body to detect the movement and the position of the limbs through the proprioception system.
Psychomotricity: It is a discipline that helps individuals to control movement in a healthier way, improving their relationship and communication with others.
References and acknowledgments: We would like to thank:
• Inu Lolen (Furry Ferrets) https://www.facebook.com/inusfurryferrets/
• Roz Ferrets https://www.instagram.com/rozferrets/
• Marta Rodríguez (Morningstar Ferrets) https://www.facebook.com/morningstarferrets/
• Patry MB (Ferrets & Polecats) https://www.instagram.com/ferrets_and_polecats/
• Maja Čonč (It’s all about ferrets) https://www.facebook.com/ItsAllAboutFerrets/
• Willy Carmona (Ecología del turón en Castilla y León) https://www.facebook.com/Ecolog%C3%ADa-del-tur%C3%B3n-en-Castillay-Le%C3%B3n-2235376980059065/?ref=br_rs for providing us with the data needed to write this article and for answering all our questions.
• Passion4dogs. (n.d.). Pasión4dogs - Educación Respetuosa. Visited on 25/05/2020, on https://pasion4dogs-educacion-respetuosa.webnode.es/