Boys (hobs) are much bigger than the girls (jills), tend to be much more laid back and a bit smellier. It is usually recommended that for a pet home both are neutered.

If you do not choose to neuter your hob then expect him to to be a bit smellier and more bolshy.

If you choose not to neuter your jill she will either need bringing out of season by 'jill-jab' (a regular injection), or by a vasectomised hob (who can still do the business, but can't make her pregnant), however the latter can cause pseudo-pregnancy and increase the chance of infection. If you do not do any of these things, then your jill will stay in season - eventually becoming extremely sick with anaemia, which can easily prove fatal. You can tell when your jill is in season because her vulva will be prominent - if you examine your pet regularly you can't miss it!

Neutered ferrets usually have less problems living together in a group too - otherwise hobs can be extremely rough with the jills.

Whichever you choose to get, teenage ferrets can be a bit....teenage. You'll need patience and perseverence to see them through their adolescence - and be prepared to get a bit chewed along the way! Ferrets play with other ferrets roughly and take time to learn that people are a bit more delicate! Firmly telling them no and giving them time out in the naughty corner will eventually work....give it time!

Ferrets can be kept indoors or outside. If kept outside they will usually develop a slightly more oily coat and have a stronger 'musky' odour.

Hutches and runs make good homes for ferrets - whatever you choose it needs to be big enough to accommodate their boundless energy. If you choose to keep them in a hutch without a run, or a ferret cage (there are some on the market) you will need to make sure you give them free-ranging time, or take them for walks at least daily.

Ferrets can be easily litter trained - usually just putting a litter tray in a corner with a different type of litter to the main cage will do the trick. If you find they are using the loo elsewhere, either move their 'accidents' to the litter tray and disinfect the area, or consider moving the litter tray to where they'd like it to be.

Ferrets are very naughty, and will attempt to destroy or escape from anything you put them in, so their homes should be robust! Make sure they can't dig their way out the bottom, pull the wire away from the doors or jiggle the catches open. If you are keeping your ferret outside, or are planning on taking them for walks, you might like to consider a collar and/or identichip.

Ferrets are carnivorous and will need a varied diet of commercial 'complete' ferret food, as well as meat. There is some debate about whether this has to be cooked and prepared or not - as a new owner, to be on the safe side only give them properly cooked meat until you have researched the debate.

They can have things like eggs (raw) and moist cat food as an occasional treat.

Ferrets do tend to drink a lot of water - so make sure there is always a fresh supply. They can manage water bottles fine - and this is often a good solution as they'll probably play in water bowls!

Ferrets live for playing! They love all manner of toys - those meant for small dogs are good. They'll also play with cardboard boxes, plastic pipes and anything else that takes their fancy. Especially toes that dance around when they come near.

You can take ferrets for walks - but they will need vaccinating first (see below) and you'll need to dry-run your harness (available from petshops) in the house to check they can't get out of it. Never take a ferret for a walk that you wouldn't be happy picking up quickly if either they look like they're escaping, or they're faced with a hazard like a dog. It is possible to teach ferrets to walk quite nicely on a lead - but it usually takes a long time and they prefer routes they are familiar with. Never allow a ferret to play off the lead - they only need to find a hidden rabbit hole and you've lost them.

Ferrets also love comfort - give them a nice snuggly cat cozy and they'll love you for it. Line it with a blanket or towel and watch them all pile in and wrap themselves up. Give them scraps of old carpet to lay on, hammocks or hanging-baskets lined with something soft and wait for the photo opportunities.

Ferrets are one of the more costly small animals to look after. They need yearly check ups with the vet and vaccinations if you're taking them outside. They will usually need neutering.

If you get your ferret vaccinated against rabies you can even get it a pet passport and take it on holiday!

Some of the most common illnesses in ferrets are...

Canine Distemper - always fatal, but can be prevented by vaccination.

Fleas, Ticks or Mites - easily picked up and treatable - ask your vet for an appropriate 'spot on' treatment, just like you would a cat or dog.

Dental disease - yearly check ups with the vet should include examining their teeth. It is possible to clean ferrets teeth with animal toothpaste - but this depends on your ferret's personality!

Cancer - ferrets can get various types of cancer, including adrenal and insulinoma. They can be treatable - so visiting vet as soon as possible is essential.

Most ferret illnesses can be spotted by even a novice owner who knows their pet well. Weight loss, lethargy, hair loss, dull eyes, hot, pale nose or general change in behaviour can be signs of an underlying illness and should be checked out as soon as possible.

For more information about taking your ferret abroad:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/ferret.htm

You should be very knowledgeable before considering breeding ferrets. There are many hazards along the way to the jill and her kits - even mating itself can cause her injury. Bringing up and properly socialising ferret kits is a time consuming business. Plus baby ferrets are smelly, loud and - to be honest - a bit obnoxious, even if they are cute! Plus they're expensive - you'll be amazed how much they eat!

You should also consider that ferrets can have about eight kits per litter - you'll need to find good homes for all of these and as ferrets are fairly specialised pets, this is tricky! Using findafurry as the sole place to find these homes is not responsible, nor reliable and advertisers all have to agree to the Findafurry Code. If you choose to rehome any of your kits through findafurry, you'll have to agree to retaining some responsibilty for them the whole of their lives - which could mean an owner returning them to you when they can no longer care for them several years down the line.