Ferret Handbook, The (Barron's Pet Handbooks) (Paperback)

by Gerry Buscis (Author), Barbara Somerville (Author) "Although they haven't caught up to cats and dogs yet, ferrets are definitely gaining points in the pet popularity polls..." (more)
Key Phrases: ferret gate, dry ferret food, ferret proofing, Bitter Apple, North America, Pet Mat (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Ferrets are lovable animals, but they're also very active and inquisitive, and require training and supervision if they are to be kept in the home. Here is detailed information on keeping a healthy, happy, and compatible ferret. Titles in Barron's popular Pet Handbooks series instruct pet owners on health care, proper feeding and housing, and other facts important to owners and their pets. All books in this series have high quality, full-color photos and line drawings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 167 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764113232
• ISBN-13: 978-0764113239
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 6.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #727,492 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #22 in	Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Miscellaneous
  #86 in	Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Mice, Hamsters & Guinea Pigs

• This item is part of The Barron's Pets Handbooks Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Beginners Book, July 26, 2001

By	heather (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

If you've never owned a ferret before or feel like you're not knowledgable enough with the fuzzies you have now, this is a great book. It covers all the basics one needs to know when caring for a ferret, or multiples. Including ferret proofing your home, basic training technics with multiple suggestions for different behavioral problems since no two ferrets are a like and will respond differently and many many other topics. I enjoyed this book and found it very informative since at the time I purchased it I felt I needed to learn more about my sweet little fuzzies and sure did! A great book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything and more in a Ferret Book, March 8, 2003

By	"sile71" (Clearfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews

The best ferret book that I have ever bought or read. Has so much more than the other books out their. You will find more on ferret colors than anyplace else. More on health and care and feeding that I have found. And the best is the Understanding Ferret Behavior!! cant go wrong with that. The book jacket (on the back)says it all The Ferret Handbook The Information You Need to Raise a Happy and Healthy Ferret. Facts, advice, and fascinating insight tell you all you need to know and much more..

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the basic information, October 27, 2006

By	Thorulf "Norseman" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This was the book I purchased when I adopted Fuzzy, 5 years ago. It has all the information you need if you have never taken a ferret into your home and your life.
Sadly, Fuzzy has passed away, as of two days prior to this writing. She lived for 8 years, (she was almost 3 years old when I took her home), and her health was excellent until her last year. She was my little buddy, and I took her with me almost everywhere.
For those who would consider keeping ferret:
-They are not like dogs and cats, they need to interact with you very closely. Give them as much attention as possible.
-Ferrets are highly intelligent animals. Even if they seem indifferent, they really aren't. Young ferrets may seem more preoccupied with exploring the house, or playing with toys, but they still need your care and love (ferrets become more openly affectionate with age).
-Because they are intelligent, and therefore curious, they will get into extraordinary mischief, and they do break things. A KEEPER OF FERRETS MUST HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR! In fact, weasel-mischief can be quite hilarious from our perspective!
-Ferrets have very little fear, and very little sense of caution, they require your supervision to keep them safe! They can easily get lost or in an accident without your watchful eye! They need you!
-Although cages are sold for ferrets, FERRETS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE CAGED for long periods. The cage is there to keep them safe when there are potential unsafe conditions, such as cleaning the house, etc.
-Ferrets like to nip and bite. This is not because they are wild, vicious, or mean, its just the way they play and communicate with each other. They assume you are no different!
-They also relieve themselves quite a bit, and require frequent cleaning of their living-spaces. If your gut or bladder was as tiny, you would "go" just as often!
-Ferrets have a musty odor, but its not so bad, and you will get used to it. Besides, they are also soft, warm, and furry.
Sadly, there are many ferrets that wind up with abusive and neglectful people. These kind of people brought a ferret home because they want to show-off, or some such thing. When they realize that caring for an animal requires work and compassion, thats where the trouble starts, and the ferret suffers quite badly. If you are not one of "those kind of people", and you care for animals, you will probably make a ferret's brief life very happy.