Are ferrets a good "pet" to have around children?

Question

Besides the way they smell....do they have any personality issues?

Answer 1

Totally depends on the ferret...just like some dogs are mean and not good with kids, same with ferrets.
Ordinarily, they're very sweet animals.

Problem with kids is that ferrets aren't all that durable and are alsways under your feet...and most of them are sock-junkies and will ambush you when you walk by them in socks, etc...point being, if you step on/fall on/kick a ferret, you will really hurt them, bad. Depending on the age of the kids, this could really be a factor.

I've had a bunch of ferrets, only one was ever mean for no reason, most of them wouldn't bite or scratch if their lives depended on it and just loved to roll around and give kisses. They sleep like 18 hours a day, but tend to make lots of noise at night when you're trying to sleep. Also, most wire cages aren't designed for ferrets so you need to get ones from a ferret store rather than the idiots who work at (insert big name pet store here) who have no clue. Never put them in a glass tank designed for mice/fish/snakes/etc.

Like all pets, they're a lot more work than you initially think they're gonna be, but can be very rewarding.

If you're really interested, do NOT buy a ferret from a big pet store. They sometimes end up getting pretty sick, and vet bills on ferrets can be murderous. Go to a ferret rescue. They're cheaper, healthier, have all their shots and stuff, and the people can tell you all about their personality and disposition...something that the pet store can't do.

Washing your ferret once a week?!?!
Ferrets have a natural musk to them and the oils are essential for their skin. Washing them all the time makes them smell better, but is really not healthy for them.
You need to look into a thing called a DRY BATH. It's like crushed walnut shells or something in a bag. You put the ferret in the bag up to his neck, then you rub it around on him. They love it and think it's play, and it washed them without being harmful and stripping their oils.

Answer 2

I have 5 small children all under the age of 9. I have fish, 3 birds, a cat, and a FERRET. My kids love the ferret and I think the ferret was a great addition to our family.
They are very funny little creatures, very curious and playful. I think having a ferret is just like having a cat or a dog. All animals will respond to their environment and how they are raised and trained. Ferrets need to be litter trained. ( we keep our litter box in his cage since he's only allowed out for a portion of the day)
My youngest child is three years old and carries the ferret all over the house and curls up with it to watch t.v just like it was a cat. Ferrets need to be trained how to act when they are being held and when it is play time. They are very active and snoopy. We got ours when it was only six weeks old and I think made it a little easier to train.
If your children are very little they would need to understand not to sqeeze it too hard and just common sence things.
As for the smell, if it is bathed about once a week you will hardly notice a smell. It's a regulation that ferrets be fixed and descented before you buy them if you get them from a pet store. ( at least in pa)
Hope this helps

Answer 3

It largely depends on the age of the child and his/her personality, but generally speaking "NO". They are not. I wouldn't get kids and ferts together until they are at least teenagers and then be prepared to do all of the work yourself, from scooping the litter twice daily, to cleaning the whole cage out weekly, to spending 3-4 hours daily playing, because ferrets need human interaction to be properly socialized. Don't think teenagers, most of them anyway, are up to that. They are busy being teenagers.
Most answerers here have made valid points on the subject, so I won't repeat them, but I have to add that bathing a ferret once a week is NOT a good thing to do. It strips the oils from their skin, making them itch which in turn makes their oil glands go into overdrive and as a result you'll have a smellier ferret sooner. Bathe them once a month or less unless they got into something.

Answer 4

Ferrets play hard and have sharp teeth. They can be trained but it's hard. If you have older children who understand that it can and probably will bite then you don't have anything to worry about, but I certainly wouldn't leave a ferret in a room alone with a three year old, if you know what I mean. You can always train the kids and the ferret together. What I love about ferrets are that they are actually very neat. They pick a corner of their cage and that's where they potty. You should bathe them once a week in luke warm water and dry them as soon as your done. Good luck!

Answer 5

I actually had a ferret and I also have 2 children. All in all they are funny to watch and my children loved her but I don't think they make good pets for a child. They are thieves and steal everything shiny...then they hide the stuff and it is hard to find because they get into everything. If you really want a great pet around kids try a guinea pig. They are very affectionate and you can even walk them on leashes. They are easy to take care of too.

Answer 6

i'm not a believer that particular canines breeds are more beneficial liable to attack then different canines breeds. i imagine there are a large number of issues that reason a canines to react the way it does. some canines at the prompt are not socialized good. some at the prompt are not educated. some are overwhelmed by way of their vendors thereby starting to be aggression. some are smaller then babies and thereby intimidated via them. some experience a danger no matter if that danger might want to not be genuine. some babies at the prompt are not taught good a thanks to have interaction with a canines and hence get a caution chew even as they hit or tug on the canines. there are such a large number of the reason why all and sundry canines (not breed) might want to not be perfect for babies. in accordance to the yank Temperament attempt Society, German Shepherd's, Golden Retriever's, Labrador Retriever's, Rottweiler's, English Springer Spaniel's, English Cocker Spaniel's, Brittany Spaniel's, Boston Terrier's, American Staffordshire Terrier's and American Pit Bull Terrier's are all extraordinarily rated in temperament checks. a majority of those breeds handed the attempt over 80% of the time. the classic tender Dachsund, Chihuahua and Shetland Sheepdog all handed the temperament attempt a lot less then 70% of the time. Now does this mean that those 3 breeds are negative canines? by no ability yet they do seem a lot less tolerant of particular issues probable because of their length.

Answer 7

No they are not...they are hyper, they bite, and they can be skitish...I used to babysit for a family that had two ferrets....seriously-it was the only job in my life I ever quit!!!!
The kids were terribly naughty!!!! And I had to watch the ferrets too, they are a bit mischevies....But I suppose that if your kids are well behaved, you may have better luck than I did....Ferrets are great if ya live on your own...Personaly, if I were to get a pet for my kids, it would be more along the lines of a dog, cat, or goldfish!
:)

Answer 8

some do bite.. it depends on the age of the kids.. really other than fish there is no "good" pets for kids.. it is a question of how good the kids are for the pets...

Answer 9

yes they are very playful and active just like anything else depends on thier moods and feeding. they are somewhat close to cats

Answer 10

i dont think there good for children bc i wanted to see one when i was little and they said "theyll bite or something"