(Photo courtesy of Doctors Foster and Smith)

Unfortunately, their very curious nature means they are also prone to wandering off, slipping into nooks and crannies and just plain disappearing when left to their own devices.

Harness and leash training is essential for safety and security. An owner’s ability to maintain visual contact with their animal and to quickly whisk them out of harms way when other animals approach is greatly increased through the use of any number of products now available.

H-style harnesses are most often used for small animal leash training – particularly in the case of ferrets, whose long, slender necks make them inappropriate candidates for traditional leashes. Instead of placing the pulling force of the animal’s exertion on the airways, H-harnesses distribute force across the chest, shoulder blades and back.

Jacket harnesses work in much the same way as H-harnesses, distributing the force of the animal’s stride across an area of the body less prone to injury. With ferrets, jacket harnesses provide total coverage from injury of the upper torso, but they must fit well to avoid slippage and are not often adjustable. Sometimes lined with fleece or other soft fabrics, they offer the added comfort of less friction against the animal’s movements. Summer options allow the animal’s body heat to vent away from the harness during outdoor adventures.

Bells and reflectors are often added to ferret leads and harnesses. Despite their owner’s best efforts, these animals are known for their ability to escape and often wiggle into the smallest, darkest spaces they can find. These accessories aid in locating a lost animal.

Quick release clips that allow a tangled, excited and stressed ferret to escape from the constriction of a harness are often advised. Particularly when beginning leash training, an animal can become easily frustrated with having to wear a harness.

Adjustable buckles that change the size and shape of the harnesses used with ferrets are essential. Their ability to slink and squirm out of nearly anything requires careful attention to how the harness fits the animal. Each animal can vary greatly in size and shape. <HOME>