Ferrets are intelligent, social mustelids kept as pets worldwide, but their welfare is frequently compromised by solitary housing, inadequate enrichment, and unrecognized medical needs.
Ferret welfare deficits are often invisible to owners who mistake a sleepy ferret for a content one. These animals require significant daily exercise and social interaction, and their health needs — particularly the high rates of insulinoma and adrenal disease in neutered North American ferrets — demand veterinary attention from a practitioner with ferret-specific knowledge. The high rate of these cancers in North American ferrets is believed to be partly related to early neutering and light exposure schedules, raising welfare questions that extend to husbandry and veterinary practice standards.