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Are you thinking about becoming the pet parent to a ferret? Are you stuck on which type or color of a ferret to get? If so, you’re not alone. There are so many types of ferrets, coat colors, and ferret patterns to choose from! This makes the decision on which one to get extremely difficult!
To help you sort through the types, colors, etc., we’ll cover all of that in this article! So, let’s get started!
How Many Types of Ferret Are There?
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Ferret is a type of animal which is domesticated in many countries. Ferrets are very intelligent and they can be trained very easily. It is a small creature with a very small body and a long tail.
There are many beautiful colors in ferret. A light brown ferret is the most common color of ferret. It may have black or gray spots on its head. Other colors are brown, white, gray, and black.
Black guard hairs and a white blaze can be seen on the back of ferret. A black tip or a white tip of the tail is also very common. White coat is also very common in ferret. The color of a ferret can be a very good camouflage for the animal.
There are also Siamese ferrets which are very popular in the modern world. The chocolate brown guard hairs and light brown to tan underbelly of the ferret is very popular. In addition, red panda ferrets with their reddish brown, yellowish or black spots on their bodies are also common. It is a very attractive color of ferret.
If you go with colors, then according to the American Ferret Association, there are about eight different types of ferret, along with some different patterns. OK, so that helps to narrow the field down a bit!
The eight types of ferret by color
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Sable ferrets: these are the most common color you’ll find. They strongly resemble a raccoon with their adorable brownish black face masks around the eyes. These domestic ferrets usually have the same dark brown color on their shoulders, neck, legs, and tail.
Black sable ferret: these ferrets have a similar color pattern as the sable; however, they have a much darker brown color. The face mask around the eyes looks almost blacker than brown.
Solid all black ferret: these are all black around the face and may have a black-brown fur on their body.
Albino ferret: this is a true albino ferret with white fur and pink eyes and nose. The white and pink colorations are due to the lack of pigment in the ferret’s body. They’re very pretty and striking ferrets.
Dark-eyed white ferret: these ferrets also have white fur, but they have dark eyes.
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Cinnamon ferret: this ferret has a reddish color in its fur, which strongly reminds you of cinnamon. You’ll notice these ferrets have a white undercoat and that their legs and tail are a little bit darker. They may have pink/ruby or black eyes, while the nose may be pink. This is the rarest color of ferret.
Chocolate ferret: you can imagine the color of these ferrets! They have a warm, chocolate color that reminds you of milk chocolate. They have a white undercoat, with dark brown or black eyes; however, they can have red eyes, too. Their noses are usually a lighter color.
Champagne ferret: the champagne ferret is also sometimes referred to as a sandy ferret. These are similar to the chocolate ferret but have a lighter coat that’s more beige. They have a white/cream undercoat, pink/red eyes, and a pink/beige nose.
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Ask a Vet Live NowFerret Color Patterns
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Now, let’s take a look at some of the most common ferret color patterns. These are different than the colors! These are recognized by the American Ferret Association.
Blaze: ferrets with this color pattern have a white streak (blaze) that runs from their head down to their tail, following the spine. The rest of their coat may be a completely different color. Some of these pet ferrets may also have a “bib” of white around their chest, eyes, and neck. Some even have white fur around their eyes.
Heavy silver: also called “pewter,” these ferrets have a silvery, smoky coloring to their fur. Their silver fur also has black hair mixed in. They usually also have pink noses and dark eyes. Unfortunately, this is one solid pattern not recognized by the American Ferret Association.
Dalmatian: these ferrets are white all over with black spots, similar to the dogs of the same name! They usually have red or black eyes and pink noses. This is another pattern not recognized by the AFA.
Mitts: refers to the color found on the ferret’s paws. These ferrets may also have a “bib” on their chests. The four most common mitts color patterns include:
- Sable mitts
- Cinnamon mitts
- Black sable mitts
- Chocolate mitts
Panda: just like the bear of the same name, these ferrets have a black and white coloring that’s reminiscent of the Panda bear. They usually have white mitts, dark red eyes, and a pink nose.
Roan: this is a type of ferret that has a mix of white and another color at the base. The “off-color” hairs are referred to as guard hairs. They come in every color except white.
Siamese: is also known as “color point” ferrets because they resemble Siamese cats in their coloring. These ferrets have a dark brown stomach, dark brown or black eyes, and a pink or beige nose. They also have a v-shaped mask on their faces.
Solid: this type of ferret is all one, solid color. There’s no white on the body at all, and the guard hairs always match the main fur color. Solid ferrets come in all colors except white.
Standard: this is a ferret that is one color all over, but the guard hairs are mixed with white.
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Types of Ferrets: Shape & Size
Ferrets can also be categorized according to their shape and size! Who knew? These beautiful fur babies come in three main categories by size:
Whippet: this is the most common size of ferret in the US. These are smaller than the other types. They usually have a longer head, too.
Standard: this is one of the most common size of ferrets, which originated in Europe. They’re larger than Whippet and were bred for hunting rabbits. They were domesticated thousands of years ago.
Bulldog: this is a large ferret that has a large chest and wider head. They usually have short legs supporting what appears to be a body too large for the legs. That’s why these ferrets are called “bulldogs.” They’re most common in Northern Europe.
Types of Ferrets: Hair Length
In addition to color, pattern, and size, ferrets can also be categorized according to their fur length! These categories include:
Angora: they usually have long fur, without an undercoat. Their hair length is usually between 2-4 inches long.
Longhair: these ferrets tend to be fluffy and adorable. They do have an undercoat.
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Waardenburg Syndrome in Ferrets
Ferrets have a disease called Waardenburg syndrome. It is an inherited disorder which is associated with the white spotting on the fur of ferrets. This condition is common in some ferrets.
While they may look beautiful, they can be quite ill and this disease can cause a lot of problems for them. Waardenburg syndrome is caused by the absence of pigment in the hair follicles. In this condition, the body produces less melanin pigment. This is a black substance that protects the hair from damage.
A white patch on the ferret’s skin, which may look like a freckle, is one of the signs of this disease. This is not a serious condition. In some cases, it may not even be visible to an untrained eye. The ferret may have a pale brown body color with white spots on its head and tail. Some ferrets have dark brown or black spots on their body.
Waardenburg syndrome is an inherited disorder which is characterized by the presence of white spots on the skin of the ferret. The hair of the ferret does not grow normally and it does not fall off as normal.
The symptoms are caused by this disease which are different in different ferrets. There are some general symptoms which can be seen in all ferrets. The body of the ferret will have a rough and patchy fur which may cause itching and rubbing on the skin. This is due to irritation and irritation on the skin due to this condition.
The rough skin is caused by shedding and loss of hair, while shedding occurs because there is a problem with some part of their brain or nerves which control this activity. This causes problems in feeding and grooming as well as other activities related to feeding, grooming, sleep, etc. It also causes difficulty in controlling their urine and feces production which is a common symptom for many other diseases too but still it is more prominent for these animals. The animal may have behavioral changes too because they may not be able to recognize people or animals easily like when they see other animals or people coming into their cage or house at night, they might get scared because they have not recognized them yet.
If you notice that your ferret has Waardenburg syndrome, it is very important to consult a veterinarian immediately. A veterinarian will be able to find out the cause of this condition and also diagnose the disease correctly.
Tips to Take Care of Ferrets
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Always keep them in a well-ventilated area and ensure that they are not exposed to extreme temperatures. Ferrets are known to be more susceptible to the cold.
It is important to make sure that the ferret is well-fed and get enough exercise. Ferrets need a lot of exercise as they have a high metabolism rate. It is essential to provide them with toys and a running wheel. Ferrets are very playful animals and enjoy playing with toys, balls, or ropes.
Ferrets are known to be very destructive animals and they may destroy furniture, wires, and any other items in the house. You need to keep your ferret indoors. This will help you avoid damage to the house and other items.
There are some products available in the market which can help you keep your ferret healthy and strong. These products can also help you make sure that your ferret is safe from infections and diseases. You need to ensure that your ferret is given enough vitamins and minerals.
The hair of a ferret is very fragile and it is important to take care of it. It is very easy to get tangled in the hair of a ferret. You need to make sure that you keep the hair in a good condition and use grooming tools to trim it.
Conclusion
As you can see, ferrets are extremely varied when it comes to colors, patterns, size, and even hair length! We can’t advise you on which type of ferret is best for you. However, we’re sure that no matter what the ferret’s coloring, size, etc., you’re sure to fall in love with your fur baby. These are adorable critters, and one is just waiting to be adopted by you!
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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