Are Ferrets Rodents?

Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP)

Ferrets are incredibly playful creatures with unique personalities and eye-catching appearances, which is why keeping ferrets as pets is becoming more popular. However, most ferret owners and people interested in ferrets don’t know much about them, such as whether or not ferrets are rodents.

So are ferrets rodents? No, ferrets are not rodents despite their similar appearance; in fact, they are more closely related to cats and dogs than rodents. Ferrets are members of the weasel family, which includes weasels, polecats, minks, otters, badgers, and a few others.

If you are new to ferret ownership or are just curious about these furry creatures, this post is for you. Our small animal veterinarian has put together the main differences between ferrets and rodents as well as other interesting facts about them, so keep reading.

Are Ferrets Rodents?

Ferrets are neither rodents nor closely related to them. However, there is a widespread misperception among ferret owners that because ferrets resemble rodents and share some features with them, they are rodents.

Ferrets belong to the Mustelidae family, which also includes honey badgers, otters, minks, polecats, weasels, and others. As carnivores, the majority of Mustelidae family members, including ferrets, consume rodents in the wild, along with small invertebrates, birds, fish, and reptiles.

Most people have this rodent misconception regarding ferrets wondering are ferrets rodents because when they buy a ferret from a pet store, there is usually no weasel section. Since they are small mammals, the ferrets are typically placed in the rodent section of the store.

Pet stores typically purchase their ferrets from breeders that mass-breed these creatures in poorly managed facilities known as mills; if you’ve heard of puppy mills, this is the same concept. This is why pet store owners don’t know much about ferrets and classify them as rodents, and are unable to provide accurate information about their nutrition and care.

So, if you are a first-time ferret owner, avoid buying from pet stores where animals are kept in poor condition and visit a veterinarian for better guidance on ferret care and nutrition.

Similarities And Differences Between Ferrets And Rodents

So, are ferrets rodents? Following are some of the similarities and differences between ferrets and rodents to give you a better understanding of why they are not:

Similarities:

1. Mammals

Both ferrets and rodents are mammals which means they both feed milk to their young. Also, they both give birth to their young and have body hair and fur. Along with that, both have 3 inner ear bones and a vertebral column.

2. Variety

Both ferrets and rodents have a variety of members in their order (classification). For example, ferrets belong to the order Mustelidae which includes baggers, otters, weasels, polecats, minks, and several others.

Similarly, rodents belong to the order Rodentia, and its members include rats, mice, squirrels, chinchillas, beavers, and others.

3. Similar appearance

Since ferrets are smaller in size and are classified as tiny pets that is why many people resemble them with rodents. However, if you pay close attention, ferrets are a bit larger than most rodents such as tiny mice, rats, squirrels, and chinchillas.

4. Companionship

Both ferrets and rodents make great companions. However, ferrets are typically on the more playful and active side.

5. Social behavior

Both ferrets and rodents are highly social animals. They tend to form strong bonds with each other. However, ferrets get more attached to their caregiver as compared to most rodents.

Differences

1. Order

Ferrets belong to the order Mustelidae which includes otters, skunks, weasels, minks, polecats, and others.

Whereas rodents belong to the order Rodentia which includes mice, rats, beavers, squirrels, and others. Rodentia is also the largest group of mammals and contains about 40% of all mammalian species.

2. Dental structure

Rodents are known for their sharp teeth and incisors, which continue to grow throughout their life. They use their incisors to chow on food and defend themselves.

Their incisors continue to grow throughout their lives, and they must shorten them by using them every day. If they don’t use their incisors, they can overgrow and injure their skull, as well as prevent them from feeding.

Rodents have flat teeth that are ideal for crushing down plant stuff. Ferrets, on the other hand, have canines and a dental structure similar to that of dogs and cats.

As predators, their canines are meant to tear the animal flesh and break it down into smaller pieces.

3. Body shape

Ferrets are typically larger in size than most rodents. Ferrets have long, slender bodies with short legs. Rodents come in all sizes and forms ranging from as small as mice to as big as a capybara (the largest rodent in the world about the size of a medium dog).

4. Dietary needs

Ferrets are primarily carnivores, whereas rodents are primarily herbivores, with the exception of rats and hamsters, who are omnivores. A ferret’s diet mainly comprises meat, organs, and bones, with no vegetables, fruits, sweets, or dairy products.

Plant matter, such as grasses, nuts, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and so on, is mostly consumed by rodents. So when asking are ferrets rodents, remember that rats and a few other rodents can also consume meat and insects. And even rats eat meat to a much smaller degree than ferrets and other Mustelidae creatures.

5. Behavior

Ferrets and rodents are both social animals, but there are some differences. Ferrets, for example, are extremely playful and can be easily trained to perform tricks, but rodents rarely do.

Ferrets are also less scared of humans and will approach you more freely, whereas rodents are prey animals in the wild and will prefer to hide and are occasionally fearful of humans in captivity.

6. Lifespan

The lifespan of rodents varies depending on the species; some have a shorter lifespan than ferrets, while others have a longer lifespan than ferrets. Hamsters, for example, have an average lifespan of 2 to 3 years, whereas ferrets might live for 5 to 10 years or more.

Can Ferrets And Rodents Live Side By Side?

It is a very bad idea to house a rodent and a ferret in the same cage. Ferrets are predators and are known to hunt down any rodent they can get their paws on, whether it is a mouse, rat, hamster, or even a rabbit twice their size.

Because you can never trust a ferret’s hunting instincts, it’s best to keep them very separate so your rodent friend doesn’t become your ferret’s food.