Ferrets for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: A must have for ferret lovers and first time ferret meeters
Review: Ferrets for Dummies is the only ferret book I have read that can be usefull to both new and old ferret owners a like. For new ferret owners and even first time ferret meeters,this book really helps the reader get to know the general personality of ferrets. Ferrets are a wonderful pet.......for the right person. Ferrets for Dummies helps you know if a ferret is the right pet for you before you go out and buy one. If first time ferret owners read this book before they went out and purchased a ferret, there may be less homeless and neglected ferrets and a smaller need for ferret shelters. This book helps explain what to expect from your ferret and how to care for it, from before your new pets arrival home until its final days!! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested or involved in ferret ownership.

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Summary: Great book! A must-have
Review: Hey! My name is Eduardo and I'm Chilean. I read this book and I think it is absolutely great! I've lived with a ferret for two months and this book was quite helpful in teaching me how to understand this lovely little creatures. The problem is, however, that there is no spanish version... I belong to the Chilean Ferrets Club (www.hurones.cl) and many of the people there do not speak English and, therefore, can not enjoy the reading of this fabulous book. If any of you know how I can contact the writer to ask her whether it is possible to translate the book into spanish, I would be very, very thankful. My mail is [e-mail]
I could translate the book myself, for free, so that all the spanish-speaking people who share their lives with fets can have the opportunity of learning about them with this awesome book...
Have a nice day ;)

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended Ferret book
Review: I think the wide range of positive aspects of this book have already been discussed, so I won't repeat what has already been said. What I will say is that I have not spoken to a single Ferret person who has not strongly recommended this book for both first-time and veteran ferret guardians.
Such widespread positive word-of-mouth really speaks for itself.

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Summary: This book has been invaluable!
Review: I've had my ferrets for 3 years now, and I STILL refer to this book often! Ferrets for Dummies has some of the best health advice, care and tips overall and is a great ferret behavior manual. I cannot stress how important it is to read a book such as this BEFORE you bring ferrets into your home. For me, I found this book about 2 months after my first fert and it answered so many of my questions.

The Dummies series of books overall is a great way to get any information on an endless amount of topics (from taxes to computer games!), but I never thought a Dummies book on ferrets would impress me so much. I've read other ferret care guides, and they're not bad, but no where near as comprehensive or trusted.

Great starter guide for new owners, great reference for veterans. I leave this book out when I have ferret-sitters and they love it too!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for the current or potential owner
Review: I've never owned a ferret, and I might get one myself, except that unfortunately they're illegal where I live. But they're very interesting, fun-loving, and fun critters, so I settled for reading this book, which does an entertaining job of telling what its like to have and live with one (or several). The author has 10 years of experience owning and working with ferrets, and she brings her enthsiasm about them to this book.

First of all, a brief comment on the nasty review from a reviewer who didn't leave their name, which the author also responded to. I saw little basis for their criticisms and complaints about the book. For example, the reviewer says that this isn't the best book on ferrets out there, but then doesn't say which one is. The reviewer also says the author's style is juvenile at times, but the author's style is no different from the now hundreds of other books in the Dummies series which are notable for their easy and approachable style while nevertheless managing to impart a great deal of useful information, which is why the series has been so successful. Since the reviewer doesn't back up any of their opinions and criticisms with any evidence or examples, I think you can safely disregard this person's comments.

But getting back to the book itself, the author covers many aspects of owning a ferret, discussing both the good and the bad, which should be useful to anyone who presently has or is considering getting one of these animals. For me the most interesting sections were the ones covering various aspects of ferret psychology, behavior, and physiology, especially the many potential medical issues.

For example, ferrets are prone to lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumors of the skin, sebaceous skin tumors, enlarged spleens, and numerous other maladies. Also, females continue manufacturing estrogen until they're mated, eventually producing such a high serum level of estrogen that it can cause aplastic anemia unless they're bred or neutered. Ferrets also require somewhat higher quality food than your typical dog, and you need to make sure you keep such things as their yearly distemper and rabies shots up, and also keep them regularly wormed to prevent heartworm.

Ferret romance also has decidedly not been influenced very much by feminist ideas. The author says that (I'm quoting from memory here, so cut me a little slack), "...the male practically tackles the female and bites her on the neck. He mops his whole condo with her, even with her screaming and attempting to bite back."

My only quip about the book, which is very minor, is the author gets a little too cute with all the ferret nicknames at times, such as furball, fuzzball, carpet shark, and so on. But as I said, it's a minor complaint. Overall this is a very detailed, informative, well-written, and entertaining book on ferrets that should be useful to anyone who has a ferret or is considering getting one.

Rating:
Summary: Libro de lujo!!!...
Review: Me llamo Matthias Erlandsen, soy de Chile y he importado este libro desde USA.
Todo criador o dueño de un huron debe tener este titulo, aunque esta disponible solo en ingles es de muy buena ayuda. Lo recomiendo 100%.

Rating:
Summary: If ferrets could read, they would read this book!
Review: Over the years I've had many ferrets, and have read many ferret books. And so far this is one of the best I've found.
I recommend it to everyone. (from people thinking about getting their first ferret, to people that already have a housefull)

A few cartoons, and lots of ferrety humor.

It's a must have for any ferret lover!

Rating:
Summary: This book says it all!!
Review: Thank GOD for Ferrets for Dummies! Ms. Schilling has owned pet ferrets for many years and it shows! But what's even more helpful is that she writes about ferrets from the perspective of an adoring owner as well as a foster mom to ferrets awaiting new homes. She doesn't hold back and lets the reader know that ferrets aren't for everyone. Because of that, both the ferrets and the readers win! There's nothing sadder than a ferret in an uninformed home! On the flip side, if after reading Ferrets for Dummies you believe a ferret or two or three is for you, you will be well prepared! Bravo to the author for discussing those issues which many ferret fanatics (myself included) try to brush under the table.....such as odor, litter box woes and problem ferrets! Ms. Schilling was not only able to tackle the difficult issues with style and grace, but also with a great sense of humor - essential to any ferret owner! I can't say enough about this book! It's the best! I know many people who decided that ferrets were DEFINITELY for their household after reading Ferrets for Dummies! And there were a few that decided ferrets might not be the best pets for them! Wonderful! Matching the right pet with the right family is what it's all about! I hope Ms. Schilling keeps on writing!! She has a fan in me!

Rating:
Summary: If I could give it 1,000,000 stars, I would!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This book is my ferret bible. My only suggestion is to expand the medical and physiological sections into a separate book and to make it much more comprehensive, especially to distinguish more between the disease symptoms. (Medical articles are also my favorite from the ferret mags, though.) Yes, it is little too cutesy at times, but so are most ferret owners. I find it a wonderful resource, written in the perfect voice and style for its audience. Everyone who owns a ferret should purchase this book and keep it on a shelf in the ferrets' room, right next to their first-aid kit and copies of all their important papers.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible "must own" book
Review: This is a must-own for ANY ferret owner, new or old. Its packed full of all sorts of great information and is a good book to keep on hand for those questions that pop up.

I bought this book about 3 months before i adopted my first two ferrets and i found it an invaluable resource to have on hand. I even lent it to my mother-in-law so that she could read it and learn more about these critters in case she needed to babysit.

From information on cages to vet visits and common diseases, this is the bible for ferret owners. There's even a section in the back full of recipes that are fun to make and were adored by both my ferrets.

This is not one of those books that only newcomers to the world of ferrets needs. I honestly would reccommend this book to new and old ferret owners...even if you only had to use this book once, its worth its price in gold. I can't stress it enough, if you're interested in ferrets, BUY THIS BOOK.