What Does The Call Of My Ferret Mean?

Does your ferret makes hissing noises (it’s low and staccato, like a restrained chuckle)?

Does your ferret makes dooking noises (sounds like laughter)?

Does your ferret makes barking noises (sounds like a loud chirp)?

Does your ferret makes squeaking noises (sounds like a giggle, similar to dooking)?

Does your ferret makes screeching noises?

Does your ferret makes sneezing noises?

Does your ferret makes whimpering noises?

Does your ferret makes whining noises (similar to a whimpering but more frequent and insistent)?

Does your ferret makes coughing noises?

Ferret's hiss doesn’t sound like a cat’s hiss, as it’s low and staccato, like a restrained chuckle. Ferrets hiss when they’re angry or afraid, but they’ll also hiss when fighting playfully with one another. As a result, you have to use context clues to a certain extent to decipher the meaning behind a hiss.

Dooking sound is a sign that your ferret is ready for playtime. Your ferret’s body language will likely match the noise that they’re making, as they’re often jumping up and down or running around wildly while dooking.

Ferrets are capable of barking, although theirs sounds more like a loud chirp than a traditional dog bark. Barking usually means that the ferret is extremely excited about something; whether that excitement is good or bad depends on the ferret and the situation. Some ferrets bark at playtime, while others bark when they’re terrified. You’ll have to take the entire situation and your ferret’s overall behavior into account before you decide which one is true for your pet.

You’ll often find ferrets squeaking when interacting with someone else, like their owner or another ferret. They’re especially prone to squeaking during playtime, so it’s a good indicator that your pet is having fun. If the squeaking increases in intensity or frequency (or you see any negative body language), you should separate the ferrets for a few minutes so they can collect themselves.

Screeching is not a good noise to hear. It’s analogous to a scream, and it means that things are not going well for your pet: They’re in pain, in danger, or extremely fearful about something.

Sneezing in and of itself is common and no cause for concern. However, if the sneezing is accompanied by other symptoms, like a runny nose or discharge from the eyes, your ferret might be sick. You should take them to the vet for further evaluation.

Whimpering is a sad noise that ferrets sometimes make, and it generally means they feel like they’re not getting enough attention. They may also whimper if they don’t get their way, like when you put a beloved toy away or tell them that they’ve had enough snacks.

Ferrets who whine are usually sick or in pain, although baby ferrets will also whine to get attention from their mothers. If you hear the sound once or twice and it stops or if the sound stops when you pick your ferret up and reassure them, then it was likely just whimpering. If the sound continues unabated, though, and nothing you do can stop it, then your ferret is whining and needs medical attention as soon as possible.

Coughing could be the sign of a respiratory infection or even heart disease. Coughing could also just be the sign of an allergy, but even in that case, it’s worth having a vet take a look.

Like many animals, ferrets sometimes snore when they sleep. This is completely normal and nothing to be worried about.