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Christmas with your Ferret!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Featuring:
| Gifts | Styrofoam Packaging | Manger scene | Electric trains | Tree skirts | Tree stand | Water | Tree | Climbing | Ornaments | Candy | Electrical wiring | Bulbs/lights | Tinsel/garlands | Holiday plants | Stockings | Fireplace | Guests | Ornaments | Casualty reports | Turkey bones |
| About this FAQ | How to Contribute | Disclaimer |
Starting with the Chrismas tree, from the base to the top:
- Gifts:
-
Forget it. Tons of report about the fact that ferrets do not respect the "Do
not open before Christmas" sign. Take gifts out 20 minutes before
opening. Or stack them on a table, away from reach.
- Many ferrets like to eat this stuff; this can lead to intestinal obstruction and require surgery. Keep it away from ferrets when unwrapping gifts.
- A few report of missing sheeps / lamb figures. But nothing major reported. I guess most of you use ferret proof figures.
- A couple of good stories. Worst case, the train was late!
- Should be made of heavy material. Some digging reports. Lots of digging under. Good place to sleep.
- A couple of falling trees reported. Get a good stand!.
- If you use a natural tree, do not add any additive to the water if you cannot ferret proof the base. Ferrets WILL find the water and drink some. In fact, if you let them drink (no problems reported if you don't use additives), then watch carefully as you may have to fill the container more often!
- No major problems reported, even with natural trees. Remove sap or pine pitch stuck to their fur with vegetable oil. It does seem to be a good place to sleep as well. (I want more stuff on this section! Anybody got a furball that like chewing them? Damage report?). BTW: Got two reports of ferrets trying to drag the tree away!
- Some odd reports of ferret climing almost all the way to the top. Most reports will give them 2-3 feet max. Some will not climb, but stretch and get whatever they can from the ground.
- Avoid any breakable ornaments on the bottom 2-3 feet. Avoid the wire hooks (couple of bad reports). Smaller objects have a tendency to end up under the couch. They love and destroy the "unbreakable" satin wrapped styro balls (Darn, what else can we use?)
- They don't finish candy canes, and you'll find them stuck to your carpet. For now, let's say we should avoid chocolate until we have a consensus on the FML about it! One report that chocolate doesn't look good spread all over the carpet either!
- Absolutely no bad reports! I guess there's so much to do with that tree that chewing is not fun enough. Using a ground fault plug may still be a good idea.
- LOTS of reports of ferrets trying to chew/bite them. More fun when they are on or blinking. No breaking reported, but it seems to a common thing... Sorry, but I would leave the lower 3 feet of your tree in the dark!
- Reports of some "Flashy" poop found in the litter box. Cannot be good for the stomach! I would avoid tinsel. Some people suggested an alternative, but I'll let you use your imagination. (I got the usual "popcorn" garland... Sorry, but my ferret would eat this all the way to the top!)
- Many ferrets like to eat this stuff; this can lead to intestinal obstruction and require surgery. Keep it away from ferrets when unwrapping gifts.
O.K. Now we will leave that poor tree alone and talk about the other problems you may encounter shortly!
- Holiday plants:
-
A lot of them are poisionous! Add to this all the
digging.
Basically, avoid them!
- Don't forget your ferret. It's not what you put inside that is important... It's the fact that it's a good place to have a nap in, once it is empty!
- Pretty obvious, but visitors may leave it open for your pet to visit.
- Sorry, but you should lock them up during your parties (the ferrets, not the guests). Enough bad reports to justify it. Biting, chewing personal items, stealing, being sat on, stepped on, kicked around. You get the drift. They may not be able to sleep in your size 6 shoe, but your visitor may not like finding a sleeping ferret in his oversize ski boots!
- If you have really nice ones then you may want to hang them on things like chandeliers. They still look good, and they'll be safe!
- Stuck turkey bones in the throat. (Two reports)
- Don't forget your ferret. It's not what you put inside that is important... It's the fact that it's a good place to have a nap in, once it is empty!
About this FAQ
This FAQ was originally created by Real Dufour, who was wondering about the danger of Christmas with ferrets. This is version 0.1 and it was created by compiling together all the messages given by members of the Ferret Mailing List (FML). Real wants to thanks everybody who replied to the original question! The FAQ was HTML-ized by Pam Sessoms.How to Contribute
If you have an item to contribute to this FAQ, please send a note to: pjdutche@isis.unc.eduDisclaimer
Standard disclaimers apply! Although this FAQ is intended to be helpful, there is no guarantee that this information is accurate, and there is no guarantee that following the advice in this FAQ will keep you and your ferret safe during the Christmas season. © 2008 Triangle Ferret Lovers of North Carolina. Site managed by Ashley Bailey.
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