Is a Polecat the same thing as a ferret? (read inside)

Question

I thought they were totally different, but is it just a color? Here's one i found on the internet:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://webzoom.freewebs.com/chaseferretrescue/Jabber%20a.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.freewebs.com/chaseferretrescue/ferretcolours.htm&h=480&w=640&sz=32&hl=en&start=11&tbnid=9c78hLY5ObqHyM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images?q=black+sable+ferret&gbv=2&hl=en

also, if you don't mind, what are some of your personal experiences with ferrets? like, what kind are they(marshall's, private breeder, shelter, etc,) did they get an diseases? how did they die? how old were they when they died? thankss!

Answer 1

check out this website it has all the info you need:

http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/history...

hope it helped!!!!!

Answer 2

The European Polecat is the closest "cousin" to the domestic ferret but still an entirely different animal.  The pet ferrets we have were created domestically and therefore can not be found in the wild.

All of my ferrets have been Marshall's ferrets and all have died of one disease or more that ferrets get.  But then, I've talked to people in Canada, Norway, Russia and it's not just Marshall ferrets that have issues.  All died between 4 and 6 years old of Adrenal Disease, Cardiomyopathy, Insulinoma or Lymphoma.  My eldest ferret right now six and so far he's been healthy - but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

Ferrets are fun pets but they are a LOT of work.  Their litter boxes have to been cleaned DAILY.  They need SEVERAL HOURS of out of cage time EVERY SINGLE DAY.  They're mischievous and get into everything so you have to make sure any room you let them out in in completely ferret proofed.  Ferrets FIND hazards so you learn to think like a ferret to make it safe for them.

With all the diseases ferrets are prone to and with ferret vets still few and far between treating them once they're sick can be VERY expensive.  At one point I had two ferrets with adrenal disease, one of those also had cardiomyopathy and third ferret with insulinoma.  With all the trips back and forth to the vet and the daily medications they all needed I spent THOUSANDS that year on vet bills.

So please study up on ferrets and make sure they'll fit your lifestyle and that you have the financial means to care for one properly.  And if you do decide to get one please check with shelters - there's SO many ferrets dumped at shelters every single day by people that can "no longer keep" (aka "don't want") them.