According to the "Ferrets for Dummies" book by Kim Schilling, no they cannot catch the common cold. They can, however, catch the flu, bacterial sinus infections, and upper-respiratory infections, all of which mimic cold-like symptoms. Either way, when you're sick, it's best to wash your hands before handling them and try not to sneeze or hack all over them
robbed this off google....
everyone seems to disagree but it would appear they cant catch the common cold as it is species specific but flu,baceria and viruses are not.
atb