Pulse Perspective by Mackenzie Murphy

We have all seen those cute pet videos countless times before, watching furry companions dart around their playrooms and get out all of their pent-up energy. One of my favorites to watch is the ferret videos.

Ferrets were never a pet I thought I would end up living with in my life. That was until my roommate announced the arrival of two new ferrets at the local pet store in town. They decided to buy one first but wanted both ferrets that were housed there. They are community animals and do better in pairs. That one announcement also opened a new can of worms I couldn’t be prepared for. And don’t worry, all good things came out of this can of worms. This will be a recounting of my own experience with the two ferrets my roommate introduced into the house.

Meet Coffi (standard colors) and Loki (light colored), my roommate's two ferrets. Ferrets are very rowdy, rambunctious animals, making any excuse to get into mischief any way they can. This is a rule that applies to even these two. Every Ferret has a personality and Coffi and Loki let their personalities show through uniquely, with some similarities in mischief and lack of impulse control.

Coffi is much more cuddly and reserved, becoming hyper-focused on one toy during play time until her adoptive brother Loki barrels her out of her concentration. Coffi is more affectionate, opting to jump from their shared cage entrance onto her caretaker's chest, whether that caretaker is ready to catch her or not.

She also has an intense need to burrow into any corner or pile of blankets or clothing she can. Left unattended I’m sure she would dig a hole in the carpet if she had the time. Loki is the other side of that chaos coin, much more energetic, and loves to run through an old AC tube I have stored in my closet. Lacking bladder control as much as any control in general, Loki is the one who likes to get into mischief as quickly and efficiently as possible, really living up to his namesake. He also has a lovely time distracting and roughhousing with his sister and giving me and his other pet parents a heart attack by jumping from our arms any chance he can get without regard for where he will land.

Learning about all of their silly behaviors has been a trial for me and my roommate alike. Like how they are obligatory carnivores, will only relieve themselves in corners and sleep for up to eighteen hours a day. Yet despite sleeping so much, they seem to take forever to tucker out when we play with them.

Having ferrets has been a blessing and a learning curve. Every step has been enjoyed and a learning experience through accidents and blunders on our part. One thing I have discovered to be true is that ferrets are just like off-brand cats. This is how me and my roommate refer to Loki and Coffi all the time. Bottom-heavy, off-brand cats with non-retractable claws, ouch.

"Discount Cats", the ferret experience