Ever get confused when you stumble across words like “dook” or “ferrent?” Below is a list of the common ferret-related vocab you may encounter in the ferret community!
A:
Alpha: The “boss” ferret at the top of the pecking order. Also used to describe a ferret with a very dominant personality.
Altered vs Unaltered: Altered refers to any ferret that has been spayed or neutered (aka “fixed”) so that they cannot breed. Most ferrets sold in the US are altered unless you purchase from a private breeder, who will often include a spay/neuter contract. Outside of the US, there are many more Back Yard Breeders (see below), meaning many more unaltered ferrets.
B:
BG: Blood Glucose, blood sugar. Used to diagnose Insulinoma.
Bite Hold: an outdated, physical-discipline correction method used for training ferrets not to bite. (Note that the Bite Hold is no longer recommended).
Bottle-Brush: When a ferret gets excited, angry, or afraid, their fur on their tails will stand up straight, making their tails appear very poofy.
Business: A group of ferrets.
Photo Credit: Shawnda McCollum Ferret: Foster
C:
Crash (insulinoma): When a ferret’s BG drops or “crashes” too low they will go into staring episodes and/or a seizure. This is LIFE THREATENING. We recommend watching these VIDEOS
D:
Derby eggs: Crocheted egg toys with rattles or bells inside (Also see: Wonkies)
Des (Deslorelin/Superlorin Implant): A hormone implant used to treat Adrenal Disease.
DEW: Dark Eyed White – a ferret who is all white with black eyes (thus, not an albino). See Ferret Colors and Patterns.
Dook: A chuckling sound that ferrets make when very excited, or occasionally when very agitated/angry.
Dead Sleep (Deaf Ferret Sleep/DFS; Sleeping Not Dead/SND): Ferrets are prone to falling into a very deep sleep, in which they will be very limp and can be difficult to rouse. Check out this VIDEO
E:
EVOO: Short for Extra Virgin Olive Oil – can occasionally be used as a treat and supplement.
F:
Feeding Den: A den made to simulate a ferret’s natural instincts to eat in a den or burrow. It also cuts down on stashing and cleaning for those who feed a raw diet.
Ferrent: “Ferret + Parent” A ferret owner.
Ferret bowling: Sliding your ferrets along a slick surface – a favorite game. See a video here: Bowling with Ferrets Also: Ferret Bowling
Ferret Math: When you add just one more ferret to your business…then maybe two more because well, they need you…oh wait, where did that one come from….?
Ferret-Jerky: Dried out meat from a raw fed ferret stash. A ferret’s favorite delicacy – humans, not so much.
Ferret Stew: What you threaten to turn your ferret into when they are misbehaving.
Photo Credit: Celene Hoag
Flat-Ferret/Speedbump: When your ferret flops flat on the floor. This can be a sign of fatigue/illness, boredom, or they could simply be pouting.
FN: Ferret Nation – a popular cage
Frankenprey: The concept of trying to recreate the proportions in whole prey using grocery store meat.
Fully loaded: A ferret who has not had their scent glands removed.
G:
Grape-tail: A commonly noticed phenomenon in raw-fed ferrets. Many raw feeders note that their ferrets’ tails smell like grape kool-aid.
H:
Hob: An unaltered male ferret
Huffing: Used in 2 ways
- “My ferret is huffing”: a huffing/panting sound ferrets make when very excited, seen more in very young ferrets. Also referred to as ferret “Laughter.” Check out our page on ferret vocalizations.
- Ferret-Huffing: (“I huff my ferret”): inhaling the delicious furry smell of your ferret
J:
Jib (also Gibb): An altered/neutered male ferret
Jill: An unaltered female ferret
Jill Jab: A hormone injection used to bring a jill out of heat to avoid life-threatening anemia.
N:
No Poop, No Blood, No Foul: The “Golden Rule” when introducing new ferrets. The concept that if ferrets are not drawing blood, or causing each other to poop/pee out of fear that their dominance fights should be allowed to continue in order to allow them to establish a hierarchy/pecking-order so that they can be integrated.
O:
On-purposes: When a potty trained ferret has an “accident” on the floor on purpose – a common form of temper tantrum or revenge.
P:
Pee-Belly: Male ferrets, particularly ones with a decent sized belly, may drag their bellies through their urine leaving urine on their fur.
Poof: When a “fully loaded” ferret (scent glands still intact) sprays. They spray just like a skunk, but unlike a skunk spray the smell is quickly dissipates. Think of it as a really, horrendously bad fart.
R:
RR (Rescue Remedy): Bach’s Rescue Remedy is a common holistic treatment/supplement used to calm stressed out ferrets (and humans).
S:
Scruff: Refers to the skin/fur on the back of a ferret’s neck, as well as the action of grabbing the scruff to hold a ferret for medictions or feeding.
Scruff N Stuff: See Scruff N Sample
Snorkeling: When ferrets stick their faces in their water dish or a pan of water full of toys. Very messy and very fun!
Photo Credit: Heather Downie Ferrets (left to right): Odin, Atilla, and Ghengis
Soupies or Duck Soup: Raw meat blended into a soup-like consistency. May also be used to refer to kibble soup, and a premade “Duk Soup” product that is sold in stores. See Raw Soup Recipe.
Sprite: An altered/spayed female ferret
Stash: A ferret’s secret hidden collection of anything and everything. They love to stash (hide) their food, toys, humans, you name it!
V:
V-hob: A male ferret who has his testicles but has been given a vasectomy so he “shoots blanks” and is unable to impregnate a female. Often used in place of a Jill-Jab to bring a female ferret out of heat.
W:
War Dancing: The thrashing, crashing, flailing, wild dance that ferrets do when very excited. War Dance Video
Wonkies: Crocheted egg toys with rattles or bells inside (Also see: Derby Eggs)