09/04/2026
Aparently my stance on using low stress handling and not scruffing ferrets is getting a bit of attention at the moment, so here is my reasoning;
Correct handling methods-
Ferrets often respond best to minimal restraint. Minor procedures like blood sampling can
often be performed by distracting them with a small amount of wet food to lick.
To pick them up, scoop the ferret up with one hand under their chest, supporting their body with a second hand under the rump. Light restraint is performed by placing one hand over their neck and shoulder area and the other over their rump, or by gently wrapping them in a ‘towel burrito’; however, hyperthermia is a concern if wrapped for an extended period (Wolf, 2009).
Wash your hands and change your scrub top after handling prey animals to prevent exciting
their prey drive.
Outdated handling methods-
Historically, scruffing of cats was considered acceptable, because their mother carried them
this way as babies and it appeared to induce relaxation.
However, research has since demonstrated that scruffing is an unacceptable restraint method
in cats as it is associated with increased stress and fear responses (St. Denis, 2023).
Similarly, the literature currently describes scruffing ferrets as acceptable because mothers carried them this way as kits and it appears to make them relax and yawn. Yawning, however, can be a sign of several things including distress. Scruffing in mice has shown to cause significant behavioural and physiological effects, including third degree AV blocks!
Given the possible welfare implications, whether scruffing is appropriate for ferrets would benefit from further research.
I recommend avoiding scruffing restraint, using low-stress handling techniques
instead. If fear and stress (FAS) become too high in the animal or staff safety is at risk, sedation should be offered rather than scruffing.
Juveniles, lactating does, and less handled individuals are more likely to bite.
St. Denis (2023) described it well when he wrote, ‘aggression is not a personality trait, but rather a protective behaviour in response to fear, anxiety, pain or frustration’.
St. Denis, K.A. and Kelly, A. (2023). Stop scruffing that cat! The move towards zero restraint.
Proceedings for the OVMA. (26028 January 2023). Toronto, Canada
Wolf, T.M. (2009). Ferrets. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. (Ed. Mitchell, M.A.)
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-141600119-5.50016-0.
