i want a ferret but...?

Question

i heard tht they're cool for a while but then they get really boring after a few weeks, is this true?

Answer 1

Actually ferrets are not boring at all. Just the opposite. They are curious furry little animals that require at least 2-3 hours a day outside of their pens/cages. They love to play!

Some people bring home animals because they look so cute and lovable, but the problem is that new feeling wears off. When you buy or adopt a pet make sure that you realize that this is a 10-15 year commitment. In some cases it could be longer.

My advice would be to google "ferrets" on the internet. Read as much as you can about them. Their habits, what they like to eat, what to put in their cage, how often to clean their pen... etc, etc...

The more you know the better equiped you are when you have one for a pet.

Better yet, go to your local Animal Rescue League or Humane Society and hold one and interact with one. If it works out you might adopt one. It's cheaper and you'd be rescuing that ferret.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

who ever told you they get boring after a few weeks must of been on something really good or bad because.... the more Ferrets get to know you and bond with you....the more they will entertain and incorporate you in their play time. My Ferrets just get closer and closer to me every day. actually, I have one that after two years, he just started holding my hand with his little paws and licking me while I give them more food or water or for no special reason other than to be close and to show affection. Does that sound boring? hope this helps and remember that ferrets have gottin a bum rap mostly because most people are uneducated with them. Yes, some do bite for no reason but that's few and far in between, even decented, they have an oder and they're little fangs that poke out of their mouths just a bit scares people but it's all how you treat them. If you give them 1 pound of love, they'll give10 pounds back and if they start to learn a bad habbit, if you get on it fast...the problem is usually over and NEVER tap or hit them on the nose because they don't have any bone in there and you can sereiously hurt or injure them. Scruff them behind the head on the neck just like their mother would do and with a stern voice, tell them NO! and they will pick up on that ALMOST every time. Also they will disown you if you get to hitting or even tapping them in the face. (I'm not sure why but I heard that by many people). If you give your ferret a chance you will enjoy him.HINT:: if you can't spend at least an hour every day, I would get two. they will keep each other from learning bad habits and have company. they are not loners. :)

Answer 3

DON'T GET A FERRET - you obviously want a pet to amuse you but..........guess what.......ferrets aren't on your pay roll, they are living creatures which need A LOT of care and attention. As for them being boring after a few weeks - the poop scoop, cage cleaning, money it takes to keep them and bedding wash is very boring, but also very necessary. I have 1 ferret who I adore, I don't mind doing what it takes to look after him properly but I didn't get him just because I thought they were "cool" I did a lot of research before I got him and my ferret is anything but boring. I don't think you're ready for any pet yet and DEFINITELY NOT a ferret!

Answer 4

Ferrets are GREAT pets, just not for everyone. It's like everything else. One person thinks stamp collecting is the neatest thing in the world another would be bored to tears by it. Different strokes, you see?
Ferrets are many things, boring is not one of them. Trust me, I have four of them.
-Ferrets are expensive to get and to keep. They need special cages, foods and equipment. They also need regular vet care for shots, diseases and emergencies, so you better save your money now. Ferrets are prone to several diseases as they age, most are treatable to an extend, but at a price.
- Ferrets are sneaky. They can and will get into and/or out of anything and everything. This can get them into trouble at times. I've heard of one that got under a bathroom cabinet and into the walls of the house. It took the demolition of a whole wall to get it out.
- Ferrets have an odor. Most ferrets bought in stores today come from large scale breeders and are already spayed/neutered and descented. Still, a ferret will always smell like a ferret. You can minimize the odor by taking good care of them, keeping their litter boxes clean(scoop twice daily, wash box out once a week), washing their cage down once a week, changing their bedding weekly and by only bathing them once every 1 - 2 months. Bathing more often makes them even smellier sooner.
- As you noticed, ferrets are a bit labor intensive and time consuming. They need their nails clipped, ears and teeth cleaned. You also should let them out of their cage about 4 hours a day in which time you should interact with them as much as you can. That's even more important if you are keeping a single ferret.
- Ferrets live 6 - 10 yrs, most averaging about 8 yrs. Make sure you are willing to invest that much time into a pet.
- Ferrets are trainable. You can train them to use the litter box and they will learn tricks, but it takes time and patience to get that done.
- Some ferrets bite. Again, you can train them not to, but it takes a lot of love, time and patience to get them to quit. That's especially true in adopted biters. Note, not all adoptees are biters, most are not.
There are so many ferrets out there looking for forever homes because people weren't aware of what they were getting into.
So, please, do your homework, get informed, read up, talk to ferret owners and think twice about it. Once you did that, think again and then decide.
Maybe a ferret isn't for you..........and that's cool too.
PS: I love Shane's idea of volunteering and fostering for a ferret rescue near you. By fostering you get to spend time with one or more for a while and you get to see if they are for you without the permanent commitment. Good idea, Shane!

PPS: Hi Jayne!! :)

Answer 5

I'd never say they are boring. They are funny and hilarious to watch. The do have an odor. Their litter box needs cleaning daily. They need at least a few hours each day out of their cage. They'll never be 100% litter trained. Mine used to work as a team to steal my empty coffee mugs and hide them under the bed. They stole shiney stuff too. My 3 were wonderful, but because of the bathroom accidents (mine were great at 80% litter trained), I'd not get any more.

Answer 6

Having a Ferret you would think is cool if you ever went shopping at "PetsMart" they have EVERYTHING you could ever think of for the little fellows! I from personal experience would NEVER own one, years ago my mother-in-law had two well to make a long story short, she also had two beautiful Cockatoos that were in their own cages and came home from work one day and found them both DEAD! Those cute little furry critters had broke their necks! Then one of them bit my little girl! Well that was the last straw, she got rid of them (gave them away) Sorry to be so BLUNT, but I really have heard horror stories about the little fellows and would hate to have someone LIE to you! Bunnies are just as cute and not so MEAN as long as you are nice to them and take care of them! :-) Good Luck

Answer 7

ummm, NOPE

if your asking if ferrets can get boring, yeah, if your that type of personality that gets sick of cleaning litter boxes daily, taking it out for 2 hours at least a day, trying to find missing socks, keys, and anything shiny, having to look under the couch cusions and blankets before sitting down, nibbles on your toes... they are 2 year olds for life, and REALLY little ones to bat.

but because of that, they are NOT the pet for everyone!!!

Answer 8

Volunteer with a ferret rescue and foster one for a while. You'll help save a life and learn whether this is something you want for the long term.

Answer 9

Ferrets are exciting pets as long as you can take care of them. They don't stink as long as you bathe them and brush them. They are like mixture of a dog and a cat. Dogs stink if you dont bathe them, just make sure you get one with the glands removed. You can walk them on a leash and they are frisky and lovable like a cat.

I have 3 and they are the greatest companions.

Answer 10

My husband had one for about 5 months, I hated it because I am a clean freak and I was constantly clipping his nails, cleaning out his cage and litter box and cleaning up messes around the house. I could never figure out how to train him to use his litterbox outside his cage, people says its like training a cat, but I have never had to train a cat before. I would do as musch research on them as possible before getting one. They bite too and get into everything. Goodluck!!