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Ferrets For Dummies 2e by Kim Schilling Review: A Thorough, Practical Guide for Ferret Owners
Ferrets For Dummies, 2nd Edition by Kim Schilling is a comprehensive reference guide covering every major aspect of ferret ownership — from selecting and housing a ferret to nutrition, health maintenance, behavior, and medical care — written in the accessible, plain-English style the For Dummies series is known for, with veterinary contributor Susan A. Brown lending expert credibility to the health-focused sections.
Tap to enlargeLuvemBooks Verdict
Best for
Prospective or current ferret owners who want a single, accessible reference covering every stage of ferret ownership — from deciding whether to get one to day-to-day care, health, and behavior — written in plain English with no prior expertise assumed.
Worth it if
Worth it if you want broad, candid, all-in-one coverage of ferret ownership in a scannable format — particularly if you appreciate an author who honestly tells you whether ferrets are the right pet for you rather than simply selling the idea.
Skip if
Skip it if you need up-to-date veterinary or nutritional guidance — published in 2007, the health and dietary sections are over fifteen years old and should be cross-referenced with a licensed exotic-animal vet — or if you want a broader small-mammal reference rather than a ferret-exclusive guide.
What readers & critics say
Reader commentary aggregated on Thriftbooks praises Kim Schilling for writing from the dual perspective of a longtime owner and foster carer, commending her candor about ferrets not suiting every household and her ability to tackle difficult subjects — odor, litter box issues, problem behavior — with humor and grace. Publisher copy on ebooks.com and amazon.co.uk characterises the guide as a friendly, plain-English, quick-reference resource covering diet, dental hygiene, disease, and enrichment.
Sources: Thriftbooks, ebooks.com, amazon.co.uk4.7from 626 Amazon ratings— reader ratings, not a LuvemBooks score
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Ferrets For Dummies, 2nd Edition by Kim Schilling is a thorough, plain-English reference covering every stage of ferret ownership — from choosing and housing a ferret to health care, behavior, nutrition, and travel — bolstered by veterinary contributor Susan A. Brown's clinical expertise. Its greatest strength is its candor: Schilling doesn't oversell ferret ownership, making it equally useful for prospective owners weighing the decision as for current owners building their knowledge base. The key caveat is the 2007 publication date — health and dietary guidance should be cross-referenced with a licensed exotic-animal veterinarian for current best practices.
- Is it worth reading?
- For anyone new to ferret ownership or seriously considering it, Ferrets For Dummies, 2nd Edition offers genuine value as a single-volume, accessible reference — its breadth of coverage, real-world authorial credibility, and refreshing candor about the downsides of ferret ownership make it a practical starting point. Reader commentary on Thriftbooks notes that the book helped some readers confidently commit to ferret ownership while helping others decide ferrets weren't the right fit, which speaks to its balanced, informative approach. The main caveat worth weighing: the book was published in September 2007, so health, dietary, and veterinary content is more than fifteen years old and should be verified with a licensed exotic-animal vet before acting on it.
- Similar books
- Readers who found Ferrets For Dummies, 2nd Edition useful may want to explore other species-specific handbooks with a similar practical, single-subject approach. Ferrets For Dummies by Kim Schilling (the first edition) provides useful context for how the series evolved. For other small or exotic pets, Leopard Geckos For Dummies by Liz Palika and The Hamster Handbook by Patricia Bartlett follow comparable reference formats. The Guinea Pig Handbook by Sharon Vanderlip D.V.M. adds veterinary-authored depth for another popular small mammal, and Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot by MattieSue Athan is a strong pick for readers drawn to the behavioral-guidance angle of this book.
- Who should read this?
- The book is squarely aimed at two groups: prospective ferret owners trying to determine whether a ferret is the right pet for their household, and current owners wanting structured, practical guidance on day-to-day care. Its plain-English format and broad coverage make it especially well-suited to first-time owners with no prior expertise. Readers seeking cutting-edge veterinary guidance or highly specialized depth — on ferret genetics or advanced disease management, for example — may find the general-audience format less sufficient, and should supplement with current veterinary resources.
- How does this compare to the first edition?
- LuvemBooks has reviewed both the first edition of Ferrets For Dummies and this second edition by Kim Schilling. While both cover the fundamentals of ferret ownership in the For Dummies plain-English format, the second edition reflects Schilling's continued experience — including her ongoing work at Animals for Awareness — and incorporates Susan A. Brown's veterinary contributions to strengthen the health and medical sections. Readers who already own the first edition may find the updated framing and expanded health content worth exploring, though the 2007 publication date means even this second edition's veterinary guidance is now dated.
- Can I rely on the health advice?
- The health sections benefit from Susan A. Brown's veterinary credentials and Kim Schilling's practical ownership experience, making them a solid foundation — but the book was published in September 2007, and ferret nutrition science and veterinary best practices have continued to evolve since then. LuvemBooks' assessment is clear that readers with specific medical or dietary questions should verify current recommendations with a licensed exotic-animal veterinarian rather than relying solely on this edition. The health content is best treated as an informed starting point rather than a definitive clinical resource.
- Does it address the downsides of ferret ownership?
- Yes — and this candor is one of the book's most praised qualities. Schilling addresses odor, litter box difficulties, and problem ferret behavior directly, rather than presenting ownership as universally straightforward. A Thriftbooks reviewer noted that she tackles these difficult subjects 'with style and grace' and 'a great sense of humor,' and that the book makes clear 'ferrets aren't for everyone.' That honesty is part of what makes the book useful for prospective owners trying to make an informed decision.
Summarize this book
Is it worth reading?
Who should read this?
How does this compare to the first edition?
Can I rely on the health advice?
Does it address the downsides of ferret ownership?
Summarize this book
Ferrets For Dummies, 2nd Edition is a comprehensive pet-care reference by Kim Schilling, covering the full lifecycle of ferret ownership in a single volume. Topics span choosing and ferret-proofing a home, first aid, common diseases and infections, dental hygiene, behavioral issues, toy selection, travel, breeding decisions, and even ferret-friendly meal recipes. Veterinarian Susan A. Brown contributes to the health and medical sections, adding clinical authority alongside Schilling's two-plus decades of hands-on ownership and her work running Animals for Awareness, a sanctuary for unwanted exotic animals. The book is structured in the For Dummies plain-English, quick-reference format, making it accessible to readers with no prior ferret expertise.
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What makes it stand out from other ferret books?
Does it cover health care in depth?
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Age & Reading Level
Recommended age
Adult
Reading level
Adult
who it suits
Skip if you need a multi-pet or general small-mammal reference, or require up-to-date veterinary guidance beyond what a 2007 publication can offer.
Our Review
A comprehensive, no-nonsense reference for anyone considering or already caring for a ferret, this second edition earns its place as a go-to handbook through the depth of its coverage and the candor of its author.
What the Book Actually Covers
Back cover featuring book overview, cartoon owl mascot, ferret care topics, and "For Dummies" branding.
Ferrets For Dummies, 2nd Edition is a pet-care reference guide structured around the full lifecycle of ferret ownership. According to the publisher's description, it addresses how to choose the right ferret, ferret-proof a home, handle first aid, navigate common diseases and infections, manage dental hygiene, design an enriching living environment, address behavioral issues, select appropriate toys, travel with a ferret, and even decide whether to breed. The book also includes recipes for ferret-friendly meals and lists of common ferret myths and misconceptions. Veterinarian Susan A. Brown is credited as a contributor, adding a clinical dimension to the health and medical content alongside author Kim Schilling's practical ownership perspective.
The Author's Qualifications and Perspective
Kim Schilling brings more than two decades of personal experience with ferrets to the text, and also operates Animals for Awareness, a sanctuary for unwanted and abandoned exotic animals. That background as both a longtime owner and a foster caretaker of ferrets awaiting new homes shapes the book's tone in a meaningful way. Rather than presenting ferret ownership as universally ideal, Schilling is candid about the challenges — odor, litter box difficulties, and the reality that ferrets are simply not the right pet for every household. One reader, writing on Thriftbooks, noted that Schilling "writes about ferrets from the perspective of an adoring owner as well as a foster mom to ferrets awaiting new homes" and does not hold back in letting readers know "that ferrets aren't for everyone." That same reviewer praised her for tackling difficult subjects — odor, litter box woes, and problem ferret behavior — "with style and grace" and "a great sense of humor."
Front cover featuring the book title, subtitle, author name, edition number, and a photograph of a ferret.
Strengths: Accessibility and Honest Scope
The For Dummies format is specifically designed for approachability, and this title leans into that strength. The publisher describes the guide as written in "plain English" with a "cut-to-the-chase, quick-reference format," making the material accessible to first-time owners without requiring prior expertise. The inclusion of practical lists — ferret myths and misconceptions, behavioral guides, toy recommendations — gives the book a functional, scannable quality suited to the reference use case. Thriftbooks reader commentary highlights that the book helped some readers confidently commit to ferret ownership while helping others conclude that ferrets were not the right fit — a sign that the content is calibrated to inform rather than simply to sell the idea of ferret ownership.
Honest Limitations: A Specialist Audience and a Dated Edition
Because the book focuses exclusively on ferrets, its utility is narrow by design — readers seeking a multi-pet or general small-mammal reference will need to look elsewhere. More practically, the second edition was published in September 2007, meaning some of the health, dietary, and veterinary guidance it contains is now well over fifteen years old. Ferret nutrition science and veterinary best practices have continued to develop since that publication date, and readers with specific medical or dietary questions should verify current recommendations with a licensed exotic-animal veterinarian rather than relying solely on this edition. This is a consideration worth weighing, particularly for the health and disease chapters.
Who This Book Is For
Ferrets For Dummies, 2nd Edition is designed for two distinct audiences: prospective owners trying to determine whether a ferret suits their household, and current owners seeking structured, practical guidance on care. The publisher's framing — "Thinking about getting a ferret? Want to make sure you're giving the ferret you already have the best possible care?" — maps directly to those two groups. Readers who enjoy straightforward, jargon-free reference books and want broad coverage of a single subject in one volume will find this structure well-suited to their needs. Those seeking cutting-edge veterinary guidance or highly specialized depth on a single topic, such as ferret genetics or advanced disease management, may find the general-audience format less sufficient for their purposes.
Sources & Further Reading
The key facts and claims in this review are grounded in the retrieved, verified sources listed below.
- Cited in this review
- 1
- 2
- Further reading
- 3
- 4
thriftbooks.com
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