Ferrets For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)) (Paperback)

by Kim Schilling (Author), Susan A. Brown DVM (Foreword)
Key Phrases: breeding ferrets, have ferret, crude protein, Handling Viruses, Ferret Psychology, The Facts (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Thinking about getting a ferret? Want to make sure you’re giving the ferret you already have the best possible care? Ferrets For Dummies helps you decide whether a ferret is for you and give your little fellah a healthy, happy home. It’s packed with practical information on feeding, housing, health maintenance, and medical care.

This friendly, plain-English guide gives you the authoritative information you need in a cut-to-the-chase, quick-reference format. You’ll find the latest on appropriate diets for ferrets, dental hygiene, common ferret diseases and infections, and designing and establishing an enjoyable and enriching environment for both your ferret and yourself. You’ll also get solid tips about how to get to know your ferret and introduce it to other family members and how and when to give your ferret and his cage a good cleaning. Discover how to:

• Choose the perfect ferret
• Ferret-proof your house
• Handle ferret first-aid
• Make foods your ferret will love
• Deal with behavior issues
• Select terrific ferret toys
• Interpret your ferret’s actions
• Find the best vet for your ferret
• Travel with your ferret
• Make sure your little friend doesn’t get bored
• Decide whether to breed your ferret

Complete with helpful lists of ferret myths and misconceptions as well as recipes for meals your ferret will gobble up, Ferrets For Dummies is the resource you need to keep your ferret happy and healthy for years to come.

From the Back Cover
The fun and easy way to adopt, nurture, live with, and love your ferret

Fallen in love with a fuzzy ferret? This friendly, informative guide gives you expert tips on caring for and enjoying your ferret, and keeping him healthy and happy. Plus, you get the latest on appropriate diets for ferrets, dental hygiene, common ferret diseases and infections, and designing and establishing an enriching environment for both you and your ferret.

Discover how to:

• Choose the perfect ferret
• Ferret-proof your house
• Handle ferret first aid
• Make foods your ferret will love
• Deal with behavior issues
• Select the best toys
• Interpret your ferret's actions

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (October 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470139439
• ISBN-13: 978-0470139431
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 7.5 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #328,023 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dummies for Ferrets, July 14, 2001

By	Mark Hills "Nobody gets me, I'm the wind, baby!" (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Ferrets for Dummies (Paperback)

I can't imagine owning my ferret Tycho without the aid of this book. When my ferret lost weight and began vomiting, I panicked and agonized over what could possibly be wrong with the little guy. After he calmed down and I calmed down, I grabbed this indispensable tome and began reading to see if I could figure out what might be wrong. It turns out that ferrets are some times susceptible to all manner of little bugs just like we are, and while they can be worrisome, do not actual long term harm. And that's all it was, a virus had nailed Tycho and weight loss was a common seasonal thing. A trip to the vet confirmed our what we had read. Tycho is much better, and so are we.

Kim Schilling's book is probably the best there is for owning a fert. She gives all sorts of insights into what makes them tick-how they play, what their body language means-something that taught us a valuable lesson during a thunder storm. Tycho was so frightened by the noise that when my wife picked him up and went face to face with him to sooth him, Tycho sunk his teeth into her chin, then did the same to me. We both missed his frizzed out tail and fur-something that told should have told us to stay away for a little while, but we didn't know any better until after we had read the book. It has a wonderful section on health, including numerous diseases and their symptoms. It covers playing, food, housing, even breeding, plus has a wealth of state by state resources, ferret shelters and contacts for the reader.

Only a dummy would buy a pet, any pet, without doing research into them first. Ferrets more than just about any other pet, need to be researched thoroughly before bringing one home for the first time. We had only read one book before getting Tycho, but we probably should have read more. Now that I have read `Ferrets for Dummies', I am a little wiser in the ways of carpet sharks. I love my ferret, he's a good pal to read with as he bounds around the bed nibbling toes or burrowing under blankets. It's gratifying to know that he thinks I've done a good job raising him with his numerous kisses.

Buy this book and understand what you're getting into. Ferrets are great pets, but they are a high maintenance pet. They require attention, care, and love. But you know what? You will get it all back and then some.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for ferret lovers and first time ferret meeters, September 23, 2000

By	Samantha Pfaffinger (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ferrets for Dummies (Paperback)

Ferrets for Dummies is the only ferret book I have read that can be usefull to both new and old ferret owners a like. For new ferret owners and even first time ferret meeters,this book really helps the reader get to know the general personality of ferrets. Ferrets are a wonderful pet.......for the right person. Ferrets for Dummies helps you know if a ferret is the right pet for you before you go out and buy one. If first time ferret owners read this book before they went out and purchased a ferret, there may be less homeless and neglected ferrets and a smaller need for ferret shelters. This book helps explain what to expect from your ferret and how to care for it, from before your new pets arrival home until its final days!! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested or involved in ferret ownership.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you own or will soon own a fuzzie, READ THIS BOOK!!, November 12, 2000

By	"rhyakat" (Columbia, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ferrets for Dummies (Paperback)

I recently got a new fuzzie, and before I did, I wanted to read everything I could find, so I would know what I was getting into. Kim Schilling's Ferrets for Dummies has to be the best ferret book on the market today: it's clear, concise, easy to read, comprehensive, and ever humorous and entertaining, while being informative. It's defitetly a must-read for any fert owner or soon-to-be owner. And even though I resent being marketed to as a 'dummy', the book is definetly a must read.