Post by LunarFlame on Mar 15, 2006 6:26:21 GMT -5
Seen a word that people keep using and have NO idea what it means? Look here!
If you have a word that you think should be added, please send me a private message, don't post here!! --Feel free to post comments and questions though!
This is a constant work in progress, so words will always be added!
Adrenal Disease: A disease where tumors grow on one or both of the adrenal glands. Can cause hair loss (usually at the tail, hind end, and moving to the shoulders, etc). Can be treated although there is no positive cure for all ferrets.
ADV: Alutian disease. An auto-immune disease which is similar to HIV/AIDS in humans, only this is in ferrets. Very serious and all ferrets should be tested for it. more at www.ferretadv.com
Albino: Refers to fur colouration. A ferret containing no pigment. Characterized by it's solid white fur and red-coloured eyes. Not to be confused with a DEW.
Alligator Roll: When a ferret grabs on to an object and rolls much like an alligator would when taking it's prey.
Alpha ferret: The "head ferret" of the business. Often ferrets will test one another to see who is the strongest and most dominant. Whomever wins (dosen't submit), is the Alpha ferret.
Black: Refers to fur coloration. Ferret is black (not dark ashy brown) in colour. Can have a white undercoat.
Black Sable: Refers to fur colouration. The fur is usually an ashy DARK brown or black with NO warm tones. Fur has a glossy shine and a white undercoat.
Blaze:Refers to a ferret's coat markings. A blaze ferret has a white stripe that can go from it's fore-head to the back of the neck. Blaze ferrets are prone to deafness.
Bottle brush: Usually caused from extreme excitement, a ferrets tail will poof out, resembling a bottle brush.
Bum Scootin': When a ferret wipes their bum across the floor after a potty trip.
Business: The correct term for a group of ferrets.
Carpet Shark: A nic-name used to refer to ferrets. It refers to them suddenly lying flat on the floor. Also known as "Flat ferret" and "Speed bumping".
Champagne: Refers to fur coloration. Champagne ferrets are tan coloured or a lighter version of a chocolate ferret.
Chocolate: Refers to fur coloration. Chocolate coloured ferrets have fur that is a chocolate brown. They usually have a white or cream coloured undercoat.
Cinnamon: Refers to fur coloration. Cinnamon ferrets have a light reddish (cinnamon) colour to their fur. The color is very rich.
Cluck: Used to describe a sound that some ferrets make when they are excited/playing.
Dead Ferret Sleep: When a ferret is sleeping so soundly that they appear to be dead. Breathing may be very unoticable, and even touching or moving the ferret may not wake it up immediatly. Not harmful to a ferrets health, but definatly can be scary for a ferret owner
DEW: Stands for "Dark Eyed White". These ferrets are often confused with Albinos, as many do not realize that there are non-albino white ferrets available. DEW's, unlike Albino's have dark eyes, but sometimes can have dark burgundy eyes as well. DEW's can also come as a result of Roaning.
Dig-box: A toy made by ferret owners to amuse ferrets who like to dig. The box can contain items such as shredded paper, NON-INSTANT rice, or STARTCH packing peanuts.
Dook: A common sound that ferrets make. Sound can vary between the clucking noise, and a very drawn out chuclking-like noise.
Duck soup: An important food for every ferret to eat! Duck soup consists of a ferret's normal kibble, bits of meat, like chicken, baby food, water, and nutritional supplements, like Nupro. It is blended together to make a smooth soup and is used on ferrets who are ill and need to gain weight, or as the occasional treat. It is rumoured that it was named "Duck soup" because the first ferret to eat it, was named "Ducky", and NOT because there is actual duck in this recipe. Another possible reason for the naming however is that Duck soup poweder-mix is often sometimes added to aid in digestion.
Ferret math: Used to describe the incredible urge that comes over many owners, to get MORE ferrets. Most begin with one ferret, only to soon after get two, then three, then four.. etc.
Fert: Another word used to refer to ferrets.
Flat ferret: See carpet shark.
Furrito: Another word used to refer to ferrets.
Fuzzbutt: a common word used to refer to ferrets.
Fuzzy: a common word used to refer to ferrets.
Gib: An altered male ferret.
Guardhairs: The usually longer, and stiffer hairs on a ferrret. They provide protection from the weather, and in darker ferrets, usually are darker coloured on the tips.
Hammie: Another name for a ferret hammock, which is a very popular form of ferret bedding.
Hidey Hole: a place where ferrets store their hoarded items. Also known as a Hoard Hole.
Hoarding: A common behaviour among many ferrets. They commonly steal appealing items and store them away in a few of their favorite places (ie. Under the bed). Typical hoarding items include socks, kibble, toys, pens, shoes, etc.
Hoard Hole: Another term for a Hidey Hole.
Hob: An unaltered male ferret.
Insulinoma: A fairly common disease among ferrets. Tumors form in the pancreas which cause an increased production of insulin. Symptoms can include hind leg weakness, staring into space, weight loss, weakness, depression and seizures/coma.
Jill: An unaltered female ferret.
Kibble: Refers to dry, packaged cat/dog/ferret foods.
Kit: a baby ferret.
'Lax: Also known as ferret lax, but can also refer to any hairball treatments which are used on ferrets.
Mitt: A fur marking consisting of white paws which look like mittens, and often includes a white bib around the neck as well.
Panda: A fur colouring/marking where the ferret's entire head is white in colour, usually all the way down to the neck.
Pant surfing: Term used to describe a favorite pastime of ferrets which invloves them trying to crawl up your pant legs The offending ferret is referred to as a pant surfer.
Pez Head: Commonly used to describe the way deaf ferrets will tilt their heads back like a pez container when they are picked up.
Rainbow Bridge: Where ferrets and other pets go when they die. Over the rainbow bridge, all thier pain is gone, all thier wounds are healed, and they happily play with one another. Kind of like a pet's heaven. That's where they wait for us
Rat tail: The loss of fur on a ferrets' tail, making it look rat-tail like. Often caused by blackheads or hormonal issues such as adrenal disease.
Roan: A roan ferret is characterized by the fur turning white over time. Many silver ferrets roan as they age.
Sable: Refers to fur coloration. This is the standard ferret color. Fur is a deep brown with a white or cream undercoat.
Scared Poopies: When a ferret defecates out of fear. Can occur when another ferret is playing too rough, or any scary experience occurs.
Scruff/Scruffing: A method of disciplining a ferret. Ferrets have thick, loose skin on the backs of thier necks. Picking them up by this skin (scruffing), is much like what a mother ferret would do to show the ferret something is wrong, therefor making it a very good method of discipline. Can also be used when clipping a ferret's nails, as scruffing causes a ferret to completly relax. You'll often see them yawn when scruffing.
Scruff & Drag: Similar to regular scruffing. This is a method of repremanding your ferret. The ferret is scruffed and then gently drug across the floor. Commonly used when battling against biting.
Snorkling: When a ferret submerges their head underneath water and "explores". Many ferrets enjoy dunking thier head into a big bowl of water, sometimes with thier eyes open!
Speed bump: See Carpet Shark.
Sprite: An altered female ferret.
SubQ fluids: Sub coetaneous shots of IV fluids like sodium chloride or dextrose, used for severe dehydration.
'Tone: Also known as Ferretone, made by the 8-in-1 company. It is a mixture of oils which keeps ferret fur and skin healthy. Also called "ferret crack" because of the effect it has on ferrets: they just never can have enough, and will do pretty much anything for it! (It's not dangerous like drugs though, don't worry!)
VHOB: A vasectomized Hob as opposed to neutered. This type Hob is put with Jills in season to safely bring them out of heat.
Waardenburg's Syndrome: A genetic defect which is common among white, blaze, and panda coloured ferrets. The leading cause of deafness in ferrets.
War Dance: the often hilarious dance that a ferret will do when excited. Usually consists of an arched back, and the fert flinging it's self all over the room, even into walls!
Wood Pellets: A commonly used, safe litter for ferrets. Can be found at stove/furnace shops, or most places that sell fireplace/woodstove/furnace supplies.
Yesterday's News: A commonly used, safe litter for both cats and ferrets.
-Written by Rachel (LunarFlame)
Please do not re-distribute without permission
*Thanks to dookorama, sherrie, bbwink, and funkyferret for their additions.
If you have a word that you think should be added, please send me a private message, don't post here!! --Feel free to post comments and questions though!
This is a constant work in progress, so words will always be added!
[glow=orange,2,300]The Ferret Dictionary![/glow]
A
Adrenal Disease: A disease where tumors grow on one or both of the adrenal glands. Can cause hair loss (usually at the tail, hind end, and moving to the shoulders, etc). Can be treated although there is no positive cure for all ferrets.
ADV: Alutian disease. An auto-immune disease which is similar to HIV/AIDS in humans, only this is in ferrets. Very serious and all ferrets should be tested for it. more at www.ferretadv.com
Albino: Refers to fur colouration. A ferret containing no pigment. Characterized by it's solid white fur and red-coloured eyes. Not to be confused with a DEW.
Alligator Roll: When a ferret grabs on to an object and rolls much like an alligator would when taking it's prey.
Alpha ferret: The "head ferret" of the business. Often ferrets will test one another to see who is the strongest and most dominant. Whomever wins (dosen't submit), is the Alpha ferret.
B
Black: Refers to fur coloration. Ferret is black (not dark ashy brown) in colour. Can have a white undercoat.
Black Sable: Refers to fur colouration. The fur is usually an ashy DARK brown or black with NO warm tones. Fur has a glossy shine and a white undercoat.
Blaze:Refers to a ferret's coat markings. A blaze ferret has a white stripe that can go from it's fore-head to the back of the neck. Blaze ferrets are prone to deafness.
Bottle brush: Usually caused from extreme excitement, a ferrets tail will poof out, resembling a bottle brush.
Bum Scootin': When a ferret wipes their bum across the floor after a potty trip.
Business: The correct term for a group of ferrets.
C
Carpet Shark: A nic-name used to refer to ferrets. It refers to them suddenly lying flat on the floor. Also known as "Flat ferret" and "Speed bumping".
Champagne: Refers to fur coloration. Champagne ferrets are tan coloured or a lighter version of a chocolate ferret.
Chocolate: Refers to fur coloration. Chocolate coloured ferrets have fur that is a chocolate brown. They usually have a white or cream coloured undercoat.
Cinnamon: Refers to fur coloration. Cinnamon ferrets have a light reddish (cinnamon) colour to their fur. The color is very rich.
Cluck: Used to describe a sound that some ferrets make when they are excited/playing.
D
Dead Ferret Sleep: When a ferret is sleeping so soundly that they appear to be dead. Breathing may be very unoticable, and even touching or moving the ferret may not wake it up immediatly. Not harmful to a ferrets health, but definatly can be scary for a ferret owner
DEW: Stands for "Dark Eyed White". These ferrets are often confused with Albinos, as many do not realize that there are non-albino white ferrets available. DEW's, unlike Albino's have dark eyes, but sometimes can have dark burgundy eyes as well. DEW's can also come as a result of Roaning.
Dig-box: A toy made by ferret owners to amuse ferrets who like to dig. The box can contain items such as shredded paper, NON-INSTANT rice, or STARTCH packing peanuts.
Dook: A common sound that ferrets make. Sound can vary between the clucking noise, and a very drawn out chuclking-like noise.
Duck soup: An important food for every ferret to eat! Duck soup consists of a ferret's normal kibble, bits of meat, like chicken, baby food, water, and nutritional supplements, like Nupro. It is blended together to make a smooth soup and is used on ferrets who are ill and need to gain weight, or as the occasional treat. It is rumoured that it was named "Duck soup" because the first ferret to eat it, was named "Ducky", and NOT because there is actual duck in this recipe. Another possible reason for the naming however is that Duck soup poweder-mix is often sometimes added to aid in digestion.
E
F
Ferret math: Used to describe the incredible urge that comes over many owners, to get MORE ferrets. Most begin with one ferret, only to soon after get two, then three, then four.. etc.
Fert: Another word used to refer to ferrets.
Flat ferret: See carpet shark.
Furrito: Another word used to refer to ferrets.
Fuzzbutt: a common word used to refer to ferrets.
Fuzzy: a common word used to refer to ferrets.
G
Gib: An altered male ferret.
Guardhairs: The usually longer, and stiffer hairs on a ferrret. They provide protection from the weather, and in darker ferrets, usually are darker coloured on the tips.
H
Hammie: Another name for a ferret hammock, which is a very popular form of ferret bedding.
Hidey Hole: a place where ferrets store their hoarded items. Also known as a Hoard Hole.
Hoarding: A common behaviour among many ferrets. They commonly steal appealing items and store them away in a few of their favorite places (ie. Under the bed). Typical hoarding items include socks, kibble, toys, pens, shoes, etc.
Hoard Hole: Another term for a Hidey Hole.
Hob: An unaltered male ferret.
I
Insulinoma: A fairly common disease among ferrets. Tumors form in the pancreas which cause an increased production of insulin. Symptoms can include hind leg weakness, staring into space, weight loss, weakness, depression and seizures/coma.
J
Jill: An unaltered female ferret.
K
Kibble: Refers to dry, packaged cat/dog/ferret foods.
Kit: a baby ferret.
L
'Lax: Also known as ferret lax, but can also refer to any hairball treatments which are used on ferrets.
M
Mitt: A fur marking consisting of white paws which look like mittens, and often includes a white bib around the neck as well.
N
O
P
Panda: A fur colouring/marking where the ferret's entire head is white in colour, usually all the way down to the neck.
Pant surfing: Term used to describe a favorite pastime of ferrets which invloves them trying to crawl up your pant legs The offending ferret is referred to as a pant surfer.
Pez Head: Commonly used to describe the way deaf ferrets will tilt their heads back like a pez container when they are picked up.
Q
R
Rainbow Bridge: Where ferrets and other pets go when they die. Over the rainbow bridge, all thier pain is gone, all thier wounds are healed, and they happily play with one another. Kind of like a pet's heaven. That's where they wait for us
Rat tail: The loss of fur on a ferrets' tail, making it look rat-tail like. Often caused by blackheads or hormonal issues such as adrenal disease.
Roan: A roan ferret is characterized by the fur turning white over time. Many silver ferrets roan as they age.
S
Sable: Refers to fur coloration. This is the standard ferret color. Fur is a deep brown with a white or cream undercoat.
Scared Poopies: When a ferret defecates out of fear. Can occur when another ferret is playing too rough, or any scary experience occurs.
Scruff/Scruffing: A method of disciplining a ferret. Ferrets have thick, loose skin on the backs of thier necks. Picking them up by this skin (scruffing), is much like what a mother ferret would do to show the ferret something is wrong, therefor making it a very good method of discipline. Can also be used when clipping a ferret's nails, as scruffing causes a ferret to completly relax. You'll often see them yawn when scruffing.
Scruff & Drag: Similar to regular scruffing. This is a method of repremanding your ferret. The ferret is scruffed and then gently drug across the floor. Commonly used when battling against biting.
Snorkling: When a ferret submerges their head underneath water and "explores". Many ferrets enjoy dunking thier head into a big bowl of water, sometimes with thier eyes open!
Speed bump: See Carpet Shark.
Sprite: An altered female ferret.
SubQ fluids: Sub coetaneous shots of IV fluids like sodium chloride or dextrose, used for severe dehydration.
T
'Tone: Also known as Ferretone, made by the 8-in-1 company. It is a mixture of oils which keeps ferret fur and skin healthy. Also called "ferret crack" because of the effect it has on ferrets: they just never can have enough, and will do pretty much anything for it! (It's not dangerous like drugs though, don't worry!)
U
V
VHOB: A vasectomized Hob as opposed to neutered. This type Hob is put with Jills in season to safely bring them out of heat.
W
Waardenburg's Syndrome: A genetic defect which is common among white, blaze, and panda coloured ferrets. The leading cause of deafness in ferrets.
War Dance: the often hilarious dance that a ferret will do when excited. Usually consists of an arched back, and the fert flinging it's self all over the room, even into walls!
Wood Pellets: A commonly used, safe litter for ferrets. Can be found at stove/furnace shops, or most places that sell fireplace/woodstove/furnace supplies.
X
Y
Yesterday's News: A commonly used, safe litter for both cats and ferrets.
Z
-Written by Rachel (LunarFlame)
Please do not re-distribute without permission
*Thanks to dookorama, sherrie, bbwink, and funkyferret for their additions.
