[scythe]

Based on some reading, it appears the principal risk of ferrets relative to other animals is that they can climb. A crib will protect a baby from a cat or dog, but not from a ferret. Consequently, the most disturbing examples involve ferrets attacking immobile newborns in cribs.

There are lots of reports of domestic pets attacking babies, but ferrets are more likely than the others to have the opportunity, when normal infant care is applied.

[ocdtrekkie]

On the contrary, ferrets are generally kept in cages, whereas dogs and cats conventionally have free roam of the house. Ferrets out of their cage should be monitored, especially in the presence of infants who don't know how to interact with the animals yet.

We had some concerns about our dog around a newborn child, we had to be super careful while the dog adjusted to the baby being in the house, because she showed a decent amount of jealousy for the attention the baby was getting.

I wouldn't consider allowing a ferret free roam of your infant's room to be normal ferret or infant care, it'd be irresponsible in terms of both.

[Clubber]

>A crib will protect a baby from a cat or dog

A cat can easily get into a crib, not only can they climb, they can jump pretty high too. My cats regularly scale a 6" wood fence in the back yard to see what the neighbors are up to. The first 5" is pure jump, followed by a fairly ugly pull-up.

>Consequently, the most disturbing examples involve ferrets attacking immobile newborns in cribs.

My college roommate had a ferret. I don't remember him every climbing anything and he could hardly jump. He was adept at pooping all over the corners of our dorm room though.

Always keep in mind that now a days, just about anything you read in a publication or on the internet is over-hyped or dramatized, or sensationalized for effect.

"Ferrets can get into a crib and there have been instances where a ferret has attacked a child, but the same holds true for cats and most household pets," just doesn't sell the drama as well.