Ferrets in the news one of eight animals that are major health threats to children

Pets that are major health threats to kids including ferrets

Out of all these animals, how many kids own these ?

Reptiles
Hamsters
Hedgehogs
Monkeys
Baby chickens
Ferrets
Prairie dogs
African Gambian rats
Big cats
Raccoons
Other wild animals

Animals that are not recommended for children under 5 years old - do you know any kids asking to get a prairie dog, or baby chickens for a pet? I think there are far more greater health risks than this - like maybe vaccinations? or genetically modified food, or corn syrup in every food product, how about chemical in baby bottles the government denies causes cancer, or mercury tooth fillings that pose no danger? Are we eating cloned animals yet? Be sure to read the comments.

Update to article - Pets for Young Kids: Does Exotic Mean Toxic?

Clinical Report from Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics - Exposure to Nontraditional Pets at Home and to Animals in Public Settings: Risks to Children

Additional Reading:
Pet-Associated Zoonotic Diseases and Natural Disasters (PDF) after floods and hurricanes

Advice from CDC - Healthy Pets - Healthy People

Kids Health - Selecting safe pets

Pets left to fend for themselves in abandoned homes.

This is really sad when the economy has an effect on pets like this. But I don't understand how people can leave them like this?

Family pets fall victim to subprime crisis

CHICAGO (AFP) - Forget about the lost furnishings and finances, the most pitiful victims of the subprime mortgage crisis rocking the United States are the family pets.

Shelters across the country have seen sharp upticks in the number of people giving up their pets in recent months because they have been forced out of their homes.
And -- more tragically -- neighbors, police and foreclosure agents are finding increasing numbers of pets left to fend for themselves in abandoned homes.
"We're finding too many animals who have starved to death," said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for the Human Society of the United States.
While some people dump their pets on the street, others go so far as to lock the animal in a closet where their cries for help are harder to hear, she said.
It can take weeks for an animal to starve to death and desperate scratch and bite marks are usually found on doors and windows.
"They will eat anything -- furniture, or carpet or wallboard -- to try to ingest something," Shain said in a telephone interview.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080125/lf_afp/uspropertyfinanceanimals

GETTING A NEW FERRET

My First Ferret

My first ferret, Abby (female, Albino), had a previous owner and was about 6 months old. They person I bought her from said she did'nt have time for her and she had a small child. When I got Abby, she came with a cage, some food (she had been feeding her Marshall's ferret food) and a couple of toys. Abby is a Marshall's ferret. She is so small, weighs about a one pound. I put Abby into the cage that first night, and after that I did'nt see any reason for the cage, and she has never been caged since. I don't think they belong in cages. I have read they are not caged animals, "you cage them for their protection". If you do cage them, they need at least 4 hours minimun out . Spend lots of time with your ferret, playing with them. If you don't have the time, then you don't need a ferret. Read here - so you wanna get a ferret

I did alot of research on the Internet, reading about ferrets. I made sure I ferret-proofed, but she was one not to get into alot of things anyway. I feel she had been caged most of the time with her previous owner, because she hardly knew how to jump or get up on things. But once I started playing with her she learned. Some of her favorite play activities are: Playing with a towel - I lay the towel on the floor and she jumps on it and I slide the towel on the floor. Another one is a plastic grocery sack, She loves it when I shake the bag, she'll hop into it, I'll throw in a toy (little furry mice) . Another good play toy is a box. Also got a big container with clean dirt for her to dig in, low enough she could get in by herself. They love to dig.

Abby is now about 6 1/2 year old. Ferrets live about 7 or 8 years, and someday she will cross the rainbow bridge. She sleeps alot now that she's old. She's also adrenal, and I've been treating her with herbs from Azmira. I know that the herbal fomulation have helped, she had adrenal for many years. The season changed, she lost alot of hair, I thought she was going bald, but it's growing back. I've also made a place in my closet to keep her in the dark as much as possible.

A Ferret's Prayer

A Ferret's Prayer

Understand me and I will be your loving pet.
I am not a rodent, but a carnivore.
I am not a wild animal, but a companion to man, domesticated between the time of the dog and the cat.
Feed me as a cat, but only with dry food for clean teeth.
Keep litter boxes handy, and I will learn to use them.
Take me along as a dog, but with a leash or carrier so I do not get lost
Do not leave me outdoors, I have no wild survival instincts.
Confine or watch me like a small child, because I am curious and like to get into things.
Discipline when needed with words and soft actions, because sudden force causes me to defend myself. I am a little thief, give me soft socks to steal and hide, instead of rubber toys to chew and swallow.
Let me visit the doctor as you would any family member, for a health check and vaccinations yearly.
Have me spayed or neutered; I have no need to reproduce to add to the pet overpopulation.
Handle me daily, and I will be your loyal friend for many, many years.
I am fearless and friendly. I have personality. I seek companionship.
If you cannot give me that, then please pass me by.

My pets, Kitty (cat), Abby (white albino ferret), and Little Boy (sable ferret)

My blog about ferrets as pets, my observations, opinions, rants and raves.