Book Review - "Ferrets For Dummies"

"Ferrets for Dummies" is quite easy to read and the book contains an amazing amount of information. The information is well organized and nicely presented, and the complete index makes it easy to find what you need when using the book as a reference for specific questions. The author's style is conversational, entertaining and sometimes quite humorous. "Ferrets for Dummies," like others in the Dummies series, uses a number of conventions that makes it easy to get to the information that is important - symbols in the margins that indicate tips, warnings, and important things to remember. Side bars include personal anecdotes, fun tidbits, related topics, and general ferret information.

The book begins with basic facts and information about ferrets (size, colors, etc.) and progresses through deciding if a ferret is the pet for you, finding a ferret and preparing a home for your ferret (setting up a cage and ferret proofing a home), basic care, health concerns, ferret behavior, breeding basics (including reasons not to), ferret history (hunting with ferrets) and a bit on black footed ferrets, and a section that includes myths and misconceptions, and further resources.

Other great tidbits found in "Ferret for Dummies" include a collection of recipes for ferret treats and food, and fun bits like a ferret term glossary and the series of ferret cartoons that begin the various sections. The appendices include further ferret resources including recommended books, magazines and web sites, and a listing of some ferret organizations and rescues throughout the U.S. A ferret "cheat sheet" at the beginning of the book is a cardboard pull out with space to write your vet's number along with poison control information, a series of checklists (signs of a healthy ferret, information for your ferret sitter, first aid supplies), and fun ferret definitions.