Week 2 Survey Results

The first 2 weeks of the Big Ferret Fact Finder (BF3) has reached 67 ferrets across 13 North American states and provinces.

Countries: United States and Canada
States/Provinces: CO, FL, IN, MA, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, WI, Nova Scotia

A special thanks to ferret related websites whose webmasters are adding links to this survey!

Below are some of the results gathered from the first two weeks of ferreting out facts. These are the cumulative raw results of individual survey questions, including answers given early when the survey had less questions as well as including a few more results from questions added latter, such as the lighting exposure questions. Also a longevity analysis has been added calculated from the current or bridge date and the date of birth. A few responses entered “unknown” on the approximate date of birth which is fine, however for new responses if a vet has estimated an age of the ferret in question feel free to use January 1st or July 1st of the year that will accurately calculate to the estimated age.

Remember that it will help for participants to periodically supply updated data, especially when a ferret has a change in environment, develops a disease, or crosses over the bridge.

Note that on many of the question people may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%. Also note that not all answers were required to be answered.

Breeders*:
Marshall Farms (NY) 54 76%
Path Valley (PA) 5 8%
Fuzzy Loving Ferrets (NJ) 1 1%
Friendly Ferrets, Debbie Scott, (OH) 1 1%
Spahn Ranch Ferrets (NJ) 1 1%
Just A Business of Ferrets (MD) 1 1%
DMK (OH) 2 3%
Not Known 6 9%

*BF3 does not endorse any particular breeder and withholds any comments on their practices. As we know some are very reputable, others unfortunately in over their head, and others notoriously scarey. There are plenty of information sources for ferret lovers interested in breeder integrity and BF3 therefore endorses informed caregivers above all else.

Colors:
Albino 3 4%
Black 5 7%
Black Sable 10 14%
Champagne 4 6%
Cinnamon 5 7%
Dark-Eyed White 13 18%
Sable 16 23%
NA 9 13%

Color Pattern Concentration:
Standard 40 56%
Roan 6 8%
Point (Siamese) 8 11%
Solid 6 8%
NA 11 15%

Procurement:
Adopted 38 61%
Pet Store Purchase 12 19%
Breeder Purchase 3 5%
Rescued 9 15%

Of Pet Store Purchase:
Petco 9 64%
Pet Supermarket 2 14%
The Pet Company 1 7%
Other 2 14%

Of the Adoptions:
Ferret Specific Shelter 21 66%
Private Adoption 8 25%
Other 3 9%

Environment:
Indoor Cage 37 52%
Ferret Room 25 35%
Has 24/7 run of house 4 6%
Other 5 7%

Of caged ferrets, how much daily play time?
1 to 2 hours 3 7%
3 to 4 hours 19 41%
5 to 6 hours 2 4%
7 to 8 hours 2 4%
The cage is open when owner is home 8 17%
Rotating shifts 10 22%
Other 2 4%

What do you feed your ferret?
Totally Ferret Original 25 35%
Totally Ferret Senior 5 7%
Natural Gold Ferret 4 6%
Zupreem 15 21%
IAM's Kitten 9 13%
Marshall's Premium Diet 11 15%
8 In 1 Ultra Blend 14 20%
8 in 1 Ultimate 3 4%
Mazuri 2 3%
Evo Innova 28 39%
Innova Cat Food 3 4%
Dr Foster and Smith Mix 9 13%
ProPlan Kitten 4 6%
Prescription A/D 1 1%
Eukanuba Kitten 1 1%
Duck Soup Recipe 13 18%
Raw Diet 2 3%
Other 23 32%

What supplements/treats do you give your ferret?
8 in 1 Ferretone 33 80%
8 in 1 Ferretvite 16 39%
Bandits 3 7%
Chicken Jerky 11 27%
Raisins* 4 10%
Yogurt Drops 0 0%
Other 18 44%

*Please note that raisins have been reported by veterinarians to potentially cause kidney failure in ferrets and are therefore not recommended by the Big Ferret Fact Finder.

Socialization
Ferret is a solitary 5 8%
Ferret is bonded to other ferrets 54 84%
Ferret socializes with our cat(s) 24 38%
Ferret socializes with our dog(s) 15 23%
Other 9 14%

Litter:
Cell-Sorb Plus 3 5%
Wood pellets 31 52%
Yesterday's News 17 28%
Clay cat litter 9 15%
Newspaper 9 15%
Other 8 13%

Baths:
Never 8 13%
Only when dirty 42 66%
Monthly 2 3%
Other 12 19%

Nail Clipping:
Only when noticeably long 12 19%
Monthly 3 5%
Twice a month 26 42%
Weekly 5 8%
Other 6 10%

Ear Cleaning:
Veterinary Cleanings only 3 5%
When build up is noticed 20 32%
Monthly 6 10%
Twice a month 18 29%
Weekly 10 16%
Other 6 10%

Exposure to natural light
The room where they are gets plenty of natural light 31 72%
The room where they are gets some natural light 5 12%
The room where they are gets very little natural light 7 16%
The room where they are gets no natural light 0 0%

Exposure to artificial light
The room where they are the lights are always on 0 0%
The room where they are the lights are on when we are home 9 21%
The room where they are the lights are seldom on 10 23%
The room where they are use low watt lights and are only on when humans need to see 23 53%
The room where they are have no artificial light 1 2%

Ferrets exposed to cigarette smoke
Regularly 6 10%
Occasionally 3 5%
Never 54 86%

Symptoms indicating illness:
Hind End Weakness 6 25%
Vomiting 4 17%
Diarrhea 8 33%
Loss of fur 11 46%
Staring into space / Trance 2 8%
Loss of appetite 4 17%
Lethargy 8 33%
Red or swollen nipples 1 4%
Other 10 42%

Disability:
Deafness 5 19%
Blindness 3 12%

Chronic incurable illness:
Adrenal Disease 11 42%
Insulinoma 7 27%
Lymphoma 8 31%
Other 4 15%

Curable Illnesses
Skin Tumors / Cell Masts 5 19%
Influenza 4 15%
Dental Disease 6 22%
Blockage (intestinal) 1 4%
Ear Infection 4 15%
Stomach ulcers 6 22%
Ear Mites 9 33%
Eye Infection 1 4%
Other 4 15%

Most apparent temperaments:
Mellow 20 32%
Docile 9 14%
Hyper 17 27%
Shy 2 3%
Friendly 43 68%
Curious 38 60%
Cautious 10 16%
Other 11 17%

Biting:
Never 35 49%
Only playfully 29 41%
When frightened or irritated 6 8%
Other 1 3%

Litter Box Success:
Wouldn't use a litter box if their little life depended on it! 4 6%
Uses the litter box only when I am watching! 2 3%
Tries hard but makes frequent misses 8 13%
Occasionally scores, but mostly misses 3 5%
Uses the litter box as long as I keep it clean 5 8%
Most of the time they back right in there 31 48%
I worry this ferret is ill if a miss occurs 7 11%
Other 4 6%

83% of ferrets are taken outside (59 of 67)
3% of ferrets have microchips (2 of 61)

Longevity
88% (58 of 67) are 1+ years old
61% (40 of 58) are 2+ years old
41% (27 of 40) are 3+ years old
29% (19 of 27) are 4+ years old
19% (12 of 19) are 5+ years old
13% (8 of 12) are 6+ years old
3% (2 of 8) are 7+ years old
1% (1 of 2) are 8+ years old
1% (1 of 1) are 9+ years old