The Ferret as a Companion Animal: A Welfare Analysis of Husbandry, Health and Behavior Across Regions

Regional variation in companion-ferret management and owner-reported welfare indicators is poorly documented. We compared acquisition, nutrition, housing, behavior, health, preventive care, and reproductive management across Slovakia/Czech Republic (SK/CZ), the United States/Canada (USA/CAN), and other countries (O-C) using 422 owner questionnaires (one per ferret). Acquisition source, feeding, housing, preventive care, behavior, and reproductive management differed among groups. Breeders were the most common acquisition source in SK/CZ and O-C, whereas pet shops predominated in USA/CAN. Biting was reported most often in SK/CZ, whereas "exploratory" and "friendly" were selected most often in USA/CAN. Diagnosed adrenal disease was reported most frequently in USA/CAN. Age > 4 years (adjusted OR = 3.85, 95% CI: 1.99-7.44) and USA/CAN membership (adjusted OR = 5.06, 95% CI: 1.67-15.37) were associated with higher odds of reported adrenal disease; neutering status was not independently associated (adjusted OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 0.42-7.02). Findings demonstrate geographical differences in ferret management and selected owner-reported health and behavioral indicators but do not establish causality or overall welfare rankings.