how can i convince my parents to let me get a ferret?

Question

for about four years , i have been wanting a ferret. I love animals and this certain kind just can't get off my mind. I have other pets that I take really good care of and they approve of those but i just cant seem to convinse them to let me get one. I have been around them several times before so i know what they are like and i have read 2 books about them. Does anybody know of a foster sing up for ferrets?

Answer 1

Ferrets are a lot of work:
DAILY: scooping litter boxes twice a day, feed, water, playtime for 4 hours outside the cage(and you cannot just let them do their thing, you have to interact with them,like play, I'm teaching mine tricks like "roll over" and "sit up" and jumping through hoops)
WEEKLY: change bedding, wipe down cage, wash out litter boxes, change hammocks and sleepy tubes. Clip nails every other week.
MONTHLY: bathe ferrets no more than once a month, maybe even less than that. They also need their ears and teeth cleaned
YEARLY: take ferrets to see the vet for check up and yearly shots(rabies and distemper)

Ferrets are also expensive. They need a large cage, hammocks and sleepy tubes, bedding, litter boxes with litter, special food (ferrets are carnivores, do NOT feed them fresh fruit and yogurt, they cannot digest it properly) and treats, food dishes, water bottles, toys and preventative meds(like ferret lax to prevent hair balls and bowel blockages) and supplements(like Ferretone, Ferretvite etc).
The largest expense is still the vet care. As ferrets age they are prone to certain diseases and while a lot of them are at least partially treatable, it is expensive to do so. So I suggest you put a little bit of money away each month to be prepared.
Ferrets can and will get into anything and everthing, that's why they are also prone to get into trouble which leads to your occasional emergency vet visit. Again, EXPENSIVE!
One more thing, ferrets, descented/fixed or not, will always smell like ferrets. There is no way to eliminate the smell 100%. You can only control it by feeding good food and by keeping the critter and it's surroundings clean.
I love ferrets, i own four of them and wouldn't give them up for nothing, but I must admit they are not for everyone. So please think long and hard before you run out and get one.
Read "Ferrets for Dummies" or any other publication on the subject, talk to ferret owners online and live, get informed and maybe let your parents read it too.
If you are sure you are up to the challenge and you have a job to make enough money to provide your ferret with vet care, adopt one.
Lots of ferrets end up in shelters because people just couldn't get them off their minds, until they actually had them.
Are you dating yet? What'll happen when you do?
Is there going to be yet another lonely ferret sitting in a cage waiting?
Ferrets live for a number of years(average about 6-8), so think about it.
Discuss all the pros and cons with your parents to show them that you have really thought all this through and that you have the knowledge it takes. And if they still say no, you'll just have to be an adult about it and wait until you're out on your own.
Good luck.

Answer 2

Check out your local ferret rescue shelters- you may have to dig, but surely there's one near you. Sometimes even the other animal rescues get surrendered ferrets. Volunteer to spend time exercising and/or caring for the ferrets. At least that will give you some exposure to what's required.
It's very important that they have lots of play time, and the vet bills can be outrageous. They can be easily injured and are susceptible to many health problems.
Maybe your parents know this. But regardless, they are saying no for a reason. What is the reason they give you? What kind of other pets do you have that you are taking really good care of?

Answer 3

You should educate yourself and convince them you are responsible enough to own one. They probably said no because of their wisdom. Maybe if you saved the $5,000 that a typical ferret will require in medical expenses during their life, it would be a good start. Ferrets are wonderful pets, but at the same time are not right for many people as they require a ton of attention and care. All ferrets require significant medical care when they get older.

Answer 4

If your parents told you no. You should respect their judgment. Sometimes parents really do know what they are talking about. I would continue to read up on ferrets if it is a animal that you are really interested it. They do have ferret rescue groups. Maybe you can find one of those groups and volunteer. Sometimes volunteering is a eye opening experience when it comes to working with animals.

Answer 5

Reading books is not the same as owning one. They are a lot of work and are different than other pets. If your parents don't want one in their home, that is their right. Just be patient and wait until you move out on your own; then you can do what you want!

Answer 6

well lots are gave up to the spca because they are a hard to take care of. i dont care if the glands are taken out they still smell they need lots of attention if let lose they will take stuff and hide it. shiny objects etc. i have 2 they are trouble i do have time to take care of them. you cant just let him or her sat in a cage all day long. they needs lots of training on where to use the bathroom. so just tell youre parent to get you a dog to start with work from there. or a cat

Answer 7

They really do stink terribly and are not really meant to be kept as pets in my opinion, although many people do. They also have a tendency to bite.

Most parents are really against bringing things into the house that stink and bite. Unfortunately at your age, the more you don't have something, the more you want it.

In my opinion, I would wait until I'm old enough to start whining about using the family car. That's something to whine about.

Answer 8

say that there are lonely ferrets out there and by me getting one i have saved a ferrets life

Answer 9

Your parents said no, so that should be good enough for you. Be patient enough to wait until you move out on your own.

Answer 10

You should show your parents that you will be really responsible, and maybe if you pay for everything they will see that you really want this.