The Meanings of 11 Ferret Sounds

Ferrets make fascinating little creatures. Although they look and act just like wild weasels, ferrets are capable of showing great affection.

They also love to communicate. These chatty little creatures can make a variety of sounds, some of which are difficult to understand if you have never heard them before. It can be difficult to determine if they are happy, frustrated, or angry about the outcome of the ballgame.

We are here to help. This list will help you understand the different sounds ferrets make and what they mean. This list will ensure that you never have to give your ferret a quizzical look again when they respond to your questions.

1. Hissing

Hissing is perhaps the most difficult sound to understand. The sound is not like a cat’s hiss. It’s low and staccato. Your ferret won’t laugh if they hiss.

Ferrets will hiss when they are angry or afraid. However, they can also hiss when they play with each other. To decipher the meaning of a hiss, ferrets must be able to interpret context clues.

If your ferret starts hissing from fear or anger, you can take them aside and calmly reassure them. Then, you can let them go to their feelings.

2. Do not smoke

“Dooking” is a humorous name for a funny sound. It’s what your ferret makes when it laughs. This sound is even a form of laughter and indicates that your ferret wants to play.

The noises that your ferret makes will probably be matched by their body language. They’ll often jump up and down, or run around wild while drinking.

Dooking can be a joyful sound, but don’t worry if your ferret doesn’t do it. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are unhappy. Some ferrets are quieter than others.

3. Barking

Ferrets can bark, much like dogs. However, their bark sounds more like a loud chirp rather than a traditional woof. Barking is usually a sign that the ferret gets excited about something. Whether that excitement is good for the ferret or not depends on the ferret’s situation.

Some ferrets will bark during play, while others may bark when they are scared. Before you can decide which one is right for your pet, you will need to consider the whole situation and your ferret’s behavior.

You don’t have to do anything if they are excited or barking. You can do the same thing as if they were hissing if they are angry or scared.

4. Squeaking

You’ll also hear squeaking when your ferret is excited. It may sound like barking but it might not sound as you expect. It sounds more like a giggle than a squeak, almost like dooking.

Ferrets will often squeak when they interact with their owner or another ferret. You can tell that your ferret friend is having fun by their squeaking at playtime.

If your ferret is squeaking, you should be on the alert. You should not worry if your ferrets squeak occasionally. However, if they become more frequent or intensified (or you notice any body language that is negative), you need to separate them for a few moments so they can recover.

5. It is a scream

It might be confusing. Screeching sounds similar to squeaking, but it is different.

Screeching, as you might imagine, is not something to be heard. This sounds like a scream and can indicate that your pet is in pain, in danger or very fearful.

Investigate immediately if your ferret is making a screeching sound. Then, you should remove the ferret from danger and treat any injuries. Give them a place to rest. Although most ferrets don’t seem aggressive or hostile if they start to screech you can be sure that they are being pushed to the breaking point. It’s important to take it seriously.

6. Sneezing

Many animals sneeze. It’s a common behavior that many animals exhibit.

Ferrets are the only animal that sneezes like ferrets. These tiny guys can chain-gun a dozen or more rapid-fire sneezes together in one go. Their heads sound like they are about to explode.

Sneezing is not a problem in and of its own and should not be a cause for concern. If your ferret is experiencing other symptoms such as a runny nose, or discharge from the eyes, or a runny nose, it could be a sign that they are sick. For further examination, you should take your ferret to the veterinarian.

7. Whimpering

Whimpering, which is a sad and pathetic sound that ferrets make sometimes, can be a sign they don’t get enough attention. If they aren’t getting their way, such as when you take away a favorite toy or tell them they have had enough food, they may whimper.

Although it might seem manipulative, you should pick up your ferret and comfort them if they start to whine. Neglecting your ferrets, or worse, punishing them can cause a breakdown in the relationship between you both and could lead to behavior problems later on.

8. Whining

Whining sounds similar to whining but is generally more serious. Wheezing ferrets are often in pain or sick. However, baby ferrets can whine to get their mothers’ attention.

Whining and whining sound nearly identical. However, whining sounds more persistent and frequent than whimpering. If the sound stops after hearing it once or twice, or if it stops when you pick up your ferret and comfort them, it is likely that it was just whimpering.

If the noise continues unabated and you can’t stop it, your ferret will be whining and need medical attention.

9. Coughing

How bad can coughing in ferrets be? It turns out that coughing can be a sign of heart disease or a respiratory infection.

It could be a sign of allergy or a cough, but it is worth getting a vet to examine your ferret. You should not leave your ferret untreated.

10. Snoring

Ferrets, like many other animals, sometimes snore while they sleep. It’s completely normal, nothing to worry about, and you can just enjoy the adorableness.

Some ferrets don’t snore.

11. Teeth grinding

Another sound that can be serious is grinding teeth. It all depends on where it’s being heard. It’s possible that your ferret is simply grinding their teeth during meals or right after, and there is no reason to be concerned.

It is possible that your pet buddy is suffering from pain if you hear it at other times. It is possible that your little buddy needs to be taken to the vet.

What is Your Ferret Telling You?

Ferrets can make many different noises. Many of them sound very similar so don’t be discouraged if you get confused. Although experts may have difficulty distinguishing certain ferret sounds at times, with some practice you will soon be able to communicate like old friends.

You should be able to figure out what your ferret is trying to communicate if you are attentive and do not ignore its noises.

You can take solace in the fact these little men will get their point across sooner than you think.