Sex Education

One of the funniest stories I ever heard necessitates this discussion.  One day at a show some shelter volunteers were standing around when a lady walked up with her “Francine” (real name changed to protect the innocent). The lady told of how every night she would relax and mesmerize her “Francine” by rubbing her bellybutton. All of the volunteers bit their lips to keep from giggling. Finally, one spoke up to the lady and informed her that that bellybutton really was not a bellybutton and “Francine” was not a “Francine”!!.

Not knowing the sex of the ferret is not as uncommon as most would think. The male “hob” has what as you know by now what appears to be a bellybutton, it is not, it is the opening in the abdomen for the penis. The female “jill” above her rectum has the opening to her vagina. Upon a sexually intact jill going into heat, the vulva will descend from the inside of the vagina. It appears something like a mushroom and about one-half to one inch in diameter. Should you have a spayed jill that has a swollen vulva, please seek veterinarian care for her. This may be caused by an impartial spay or Adrenal disease. If left untreated the jill may develop a fatal condition called A-plastic anemia.

Most ferrets purchased from a pet store are spayed at approximately 4 weeks. We are AGAINST this practice. It is medically proven that early spay/neuter can leave a predisposition for various medical problems. Spay is safely done at approximately 5 months. Neuter at nine months. Hobs that are left unaltered during breeding season can become violent with each other. When testicles are descended protect your hobs and keep them separated. They have been known to fight to the death.