About The Angora Ferret
Although there are many different kinds of domesticated ferrets, if you’re looking for something really exotic, you might want to consider an Angora ferret.
Originating in Sweden, the angora ferret started when a breeder noticed a mutation that produced longer hair on the hind legs and back end of their bodies among his ferrets.
These ferrets produced offspring that were sold to another breeder, and then sold to another, until eventually the angora ferret came to the United States.Breeding an angora ferret is quite a challenge because it takes 10 short hair ferrets that all carry the necessary gene. Of course, with so many ferrets, that means there are several variations.
This type of ferret should not be confused with regular ferrets with long hair, or an angora mix. A true angora ferret will have much longer hair, two to four inches, than standard ferrets. Also, angora ferrets tend to be larger animals than other ferrets and can weigh up to seven pounds. Angoras also have no undercoat, an extra nose fold, and hair that grows in or on the nose. Their nose is more pointed and turned up than those of regular ferrets. The shape of their face and eyes is different than a regular ferret. To be classified as a full angora, ALL of the above characteristics must be present.
Because of their long hair, angora ferrets should be brushed regularly to prevent them from getting hairballs.
People who own angora ferrets think they are even more intelligent and easier to train than standard ferrets. On the down side, the angoras tend to be more susceptible to cold weather due to the lack of undercoat. However, some say they are otherwise hardier than regular ferrets and less likely to develop problems such as adrenal disease and insuloma.
Finding someone who breeds true angora ferrets is a challenge. You may well have to travel, or have your pet shipped to you.
Also, there is some controversy, as with any new variation. Some ferret owners think angora ferrets are a bad mutation, mainly citing the difficulty of breeding them as showing they’re “not good”. This is, of course, an individual decision on the merits or disadvantages.
As with any ferrets, if you are choosing a new pet from a group of individuals, pay attention to their behavior and their eyes. A ferret that is bright eyes and friendly is a good choice.
Be sure you have a cage ready for your new pet before bringing it home. In fact, you should have all the necessary items, including a bed, food dishes and food. It might also be wise to ferret proof your home, as they are very curious, and when out of the cage you don’t want them to hurt themselves.
Make sure to buy the proper food, as ferrets need a diet that is high in protein and low in fat. Never feed them anything high in carbs or sugar.
It’s also advisable to find a good veterinarian that is familiar with ferrets. Taking the animal in soon after you get it for a check-up is a good way to become acquainted with the vet, and be sure your ferret is indeed in good health.
As with other ferrets, the angora ferret can also be toilet trained. Be sure to have a litter box in their cage.
If you want an unusual pet, an angora ferret surely qualifies.
