"Life with my genet"
by Martha Fifield
On August 12, 2000, my husband and I traveled to Pensacola, FL to pick up our 2 ½ week old, 8 ounce large-spotted genet. I named her Khira.
I had seen genets two times on TV and fell in love with their unique and exotic look. I wanted one but realized I better make sure this is the right type of animal for me. All animals can be cute and desirable at first, but making a commitment to take care of them for the rest of their life is a different story. I began to do research on genets for about a year and it was no easy task. Even when I contacted a zoo in Africa, the country genets are from, they did not have much information on genets, especially captive genets as pets.
Finding a veterinarian that knew anything about genets and was willing to work on a genet was another difficult task.
Here are some things you need to know about genets. They are nocturnal (they can adapt to your schedule) carnivores in the viverridae family. They are related to civets, linsangs, fossas, and binturongs. Although they are sometimes called genet cats and behave somewhat like a cat at times, they are not cats. They eat chicken, small mammals (i.e. mice, birds) eggs, insects and some fruits and vegetables. In captivity they can also eat high-quality cat food. Adult genets weigh about 5 pounds and get to be about the size of a small house cat.
Their nails are semi-retractable and very sharp, as are their teeth—they can easily cut through you like a razor. I have many scratches and a few scars from Khira’s love of climbing me as she would a tree. She does not tend to be aggressive but even in play she has caused me to bleed several times. Some people choose to declaw their genets because of this. If you declaw a genet (wait until it is at least 6 months old) it will limit its ability to climb. Since Khira loves climbing so much, I have opted to not declaw her. I decided this after the vet trimmed her nails and she had difficulty climbing. Genets are avid climbers and jumpers. I have seen Khira jump and easily clear distances of 5 feet even though she is only 6 months old. They can climb your bare legs and hold on. Khira will often hang off my pants, my shoulders or even the top of my head.
Genets are also very skittish and easily frightened. When frightened, they tend to flee, resulting in frequent use of their claws for traction. This can result in a lot of scratches. Genets are unbelievably fast and they are not easy to hold on to. If you want an animal you can grab, genets are not it. Even when you scruff them, they can turn around in their skin and bite you or get away. This can be a problem if you are trying to keep your genet safe and restricted from running away. I suggest everyone leash train their genet with a good harness starting at an early age.
Khira is a very loving pet. She is definitely a spoiled momma’s girl since I spend a lot of time with her. She is also loving towards my husband and other people. I began to socialize her at an early age. I introduce her to new people and experiences whenever possible. At times, she hides when people first arrive at my home, but she later tends to come out and spend time with our guest. Genets are solitary animals but if you work a lot with them, they can enjoy the presence of others. She loves to curl up in my hair and sleep on my shoulders.
She enjoys being around us and loves to play with our ferrets (I introduced her to the ferrets at an early age). At times I have even found her sleeping with some of the ferrets. They play rough with each other but she does not hurt them. Still, I supervise their rough housing. Genets do need plenty of socializing if you want them to be friendly.
Although I did much research on genets, there was no way to know exactly what to expect until I actually began to live with one. Khira does live inside the house with us and as she gets older I learn more about genets. I do not know what she will be like as an adult. I have heard people say genets do not make good pets as adults because they tend to be highly skittish loners. I have not experienced this with my baby and I hope I never do.
A day with Khira often looks like this: I wake up and let her out of her cage, if she slept in it. I check her stool and check if she ate. I clean her cage and litter box. I use newspaper in her litter box because she loves to pee on papers, so beware of leaving any papers laying around. I make sure she has water and give her something to eat (a snack because she does not eat a lot in the morning). She is usually hyper in the mornings and makes a sneezing sound I call an “oof” indicating excitement. She will then go to my couch or dining room chairs and stretch, kneed, scent and claw the furniture (no damage yet!). She will run around a lot or begin to play bite me. She now often jumps up on top of my kitchen cabinets (there’s an empty space on top of them) and she will run laps up there. Some times she climbs up and down my curtains at excess speed. She also likes to go on top of the door (actual door) in the bathroom and lay there. Genets can get to most places.
If she gets too playful or rough, I often put her in the bedroom so she can play with the ferrets. They seem to enjoy this. When she is done she will either sleep in the room or will cry or hit the door so that I know she wants to come out. She often then finds a spot to sleep in (usually a dark and small space). If I am sitting, she will usually snuggle up with me and sleep on me. Her favorite spot is on my neck. She takes frequent naps and then wants to cuddle, walk around or play. As for trying to eat or drink in her presence, forget about it unless you are willing to share with her. In the afternoon, I feed her again. She will continue her series of play and nap times.
She is like a cat in some ways. She purrs, is litter trained (some accidents), she can appear calm one moment and will suddenly be frightened for no apparent reason or will suddenly begin play biting, she uses her hind legs to kick while grabbing your arm with her front legs during play, she cleans herself daily (so far no unpleasant odor except for passing gas – yuck!), and she comes to you when you call her if she feels like it!
Genets can also spray (both males and females). Although spaying or neutering your genet does not guarantee the absence of spraying, it can decrease the chances of spraying as well as can decrease the chances of the genet becoming aggressive at the point of reaching sexual maturity. Although Khira does not tend to be aggressive at this time, I have seen her hiss at the ferrets a few times when they get near her food while eating. My vet recommends neutering and spaying at 6 months old and no earlier. Khira was spayed at 6 months old and has recovered quickly.
Unlike cats, genets stand up on their rear feet and check things out just like a meerkat. They also clean their faces much like a hamster.
“At night, she gets hyper again. I let her run around for a while and then prepare her evening meal. I put her meal in the cage and she goes in. Up until recently, she was sleeping in a cage because she would remain hyper throughout the night and would not let me sleep. However, it appears putting her in the cage at night taught her that nighttime is sleep time. After her spaying she was allowed to sleep with me and for the most part she stays sleeping in bed with us. She tends to wake me up in the morning with love bites on my toes. Who needs an alarm clock when I have Khira?
If you are planning on getting a genet, do find a good vet that is qualified and willing to work on you genet. Find out if the vet recommends vaccinations such as distemper, chlarnydia, and rabies. Seek out a reputable breeder who is willing to answer your questions.
If you have allergies, try to expose yourself to a genet before purchasing one. My husband is allergic to some animals but has had no problems with Khira.
Make sure you genet proof you house, especially when the genet is a baby. They like to crawl into tiny and dark places, so be extremely cautious. Also, be careful of what you leave laying around. They like to chew on things and may swallow things that can cause an obstruction and possible death. If you have small children, you should consider postponing your genet purchase. Ask around to see if a genet would be compatible with your other pets. If you have nice furniture, consider that the genet may damage your furniture or may get genet oil on them. Genet oil is pink and at times is visible where your genet may have been laying. I have not found it to be a problem so far.
Consider your lifestyle, schedule and finances. It is best to get a genet as a baby in order to build early bonding. This means you will probably be bottle feeding you baby. I had to bottle feed Khira every 4 hours when I first got her and had to stimulate her to go potty. Weaning her was a nightmare and did not occur until she was 18 weeks old. It’s a lot of wok but the rewards are awesome.
Are you willing and able to dedicate this much time to a baby anything? If you like to take vacations, ask yourself what you would do with the genet. If at all possible, try to spend time with a genet to see if this is what you want. Surf the internet to see if you can join e-mail groups that have discussions on genets, such as the Genet and/or Procyonid Viverrid groups through http://groups.yahoo.com/group/genet/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Procyonid_Viverrid/
Genets live approximately 20 years. This is a long-term commitment-make sure this is what you want.
I am far from being a genet expert but am more than happy to inform you about what has and has not worked for me. If you want further information, you can contact me at: Martha Fifield, 2952 NW 69th Court, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309. (Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope) or via e-mail
Linda LaFrentz
903-389-5339
mailto:critterhouse@hotmail.com
