I'm just not sure if they are the right pet for an eleven-year-old female... Please, if you have ferrets reccomend any ideas.
If you have any ideas for any pet for an 11 year old, please say so...
ANY LINKS WILL HELP...
2006-12-01 08:48:53 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
It depends on their experience with pets and how responsable they are. Ferrets i have heard are quite expensive and need alot of space. Maybe a rat would be better they are very friendly and love human attention they do sleep a bit but will be propted to wake. they do not bite like hamsters infact i have heard most people have never been bitten by a pet rat. so maybe a rat would be a better option. If not rats mice are sooo sweet i have mice and i love them. Do not buy pets for christmas if the child wants a pet make them do research on its needs and care, otherwise it will be rejected.
2006-12-01 09:24:51 · answer #1 · answered by ♥_Anya_♥ 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ferrets can be terrific pets, and 11 years old is certainly old enough to manage them, but definitely do your research first. Ferrets are clever and personable and just loads of fun, but they aren't the pet for everyone. One extremely important note is that they are not low maintenance pets like gerbils and hamsters. I place ferrets below dogs but above cats on the scale of how much attention they need. Ferrets get a bad rap for biting because many of them *will* bite if they are left locked in small cages 24/7... it's torture for them, and yet that is commonly how they are kept. They need a lot of attention and supervised time to run around every single day.
Some notes:
* They have a strong musky smell. Ferret lovers just deal with this
* They do not fully housetrain, no matter what anyone may try to tell you
* When well cared for, they can live 8 or 9 years, so be prepared to make the commitment that the ferret could be around when your daughter is getting ready for college
We have three ferrets, and have had two others over the years. I adore them, but it's true that they are not for everyone.
2006-12-01 14:18:55 · answer #2 · answered by FairlyErica 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Umm...I'm not really sure about that. Everyone always says a pet's a lot of work, I mean of course. But ferrets require more from an owner than just a cat or a dog. If you think she's very responsible, and if you think she can handle it, go for it! I've owned my ferret for about 2 or 3 years now ^___^
2006-12-01 08:59:38 · answer #3 · answered by Beena W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on where you live, make sure ferrets are legal to have as pets. A good pet for an 11 year old female would be a small cat, a small dog, or hamster. Anything that takes time to care for. She needs to learn how to care for other living things so it will prepare her for responsibilities later on in life.
2006-12-01 08:53:36 · answer #4 · answered by chistoso13 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
for one thing, ferrets are NOT big rats. they are a mammal, not a rodent. ferrets can be biters, just as any animal can be, if it has been mistreated or not taught that you are the alpha member of it's "pack."
ferrets are very intelligent, playful, loving animals, but they require a lot of attention and care. they can easily be harness and leash trained. they can be trained to come to you when you call them.
i have been a ferret owner for over 20 years. i have never been bitten, or had any negative situations, other than my oldest ferret who just died a month ago from insulinoma.
a ferret can be an excellent pet for a MATURE/RESPONSIBLE 11 yr old.
ferrets have very specific dietary needs. they are obligate carnivores, and must have a high (good quality) protein diet...not cheap cat food. their protein needs are higher than that of a cat.
ferrets use litter boxes/pans. they must be cleaned every day.
it is best to own 1 ferret, or 3. (not pairs) because they grieve very deeply when a cage mate dies.
they must have a canine distemper shot every year. some states require a rabies shot...i personally don't feel they need it.
ferrets can catch colds from you, you can catch a cold from them.
ferrets cannot tolorate hot living conditions...temperatures of 75 degrees and above are way too hot for them...they can have a heat stroke. they like cold weather, and love to play in the snow.
ferrets need to be out of their cage, getting play time for at least 2-3 hours each day. they need to be socialized, just like any other pet. you MUST ferret proof the area they are in for play time.
female ferrets must be spayed, unless they are to be used for breeding. if they go into heat, and don't get bred, they will stay in heat and will die if they don't breed. mostly all ferrets are sold altered and de-scented.
ferrets are prone to a few diseases: insulinoma, adrenal gland disease, cancers, etc. very expensive to treat.
ferrets on average, only live 7-8 years.
they have to have their claws clipped every 2 weeks...they grow very fast.
my advice would be to have your daughter visit a ferret rescue in your area...she may be able to do volunteer work there, and can learn about ferrets 1st hand.
a good first pet is usually a hamster, mouse, or rat. they are all great little animals, but they do not live long...2-4 years. even better perhaps, is a miniature lop, or dwarf bunny.
for more info, do a google search on ferrets. there's tons of good info out there. i hope this has been helpful...i'm a diehard ferret lover, but ppl really need to be educated before owning one.
**addendum** the more frequently a ferret is bathed, the more smelly it is, because it will be constantly producing the oils in the skin that are being washed away. once a month bath is fine. i don't bathe mine all winter, but i do bathe them monthly in the summer. i give my ferrets a product called bi-odor. you put it on their food or in the water, and it GREATLY reduces their odor, and the odor of their waste.
**addendum 2**
in all my years of owning ferrets, i've only had 1 that was not "fully" house broken. if you leave litterboxes around their play area, they will use them. i have one right now that will only use the box in his cage...if he's out playing and needs to go, he will climb back into his cage to go. ferrets are for the most part, smarter than their owners!!
2006-12-01 09:33:00 · answer #5 · answered by pirate00girl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ferrets make great pets for kids. The problem is they GO anywhere and everywhere. (mainly in corners) They are like a kitten on speed. I have had 8 over the years and all of them have been loving and nice. They do like to play rough though. Only 1 drew blood and then that was my fault. The kids can be responsible for feeding and walking them on a leash. They will follow/lead while on a leash and not knock the kid down. They are lots of fun if you can put up with the potty problems.
2006-12-01 08:57:55 · answer #6 · answered by silliw1961 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
my opinion is that ferrets are way too high maintanence for an eleven year old... i wouldn't suggest anyone under .. maybe 14 or 15 get one.. unless they have had previous pet experience... obviously a kid growing up on a farm would be more qualified to care for a pet.. etc... ferrets need lots of attention and playtime... also as they age they get several diseases and require even more care... they ARE great pets.. but it takes a certain type of person who is truly devoted to there pets to care for ferrets!! i would suggest getting perhaps a hamster for an eleven year old.. or maybe a parakeet... good luck .. hope i helped
2006-12-01 19:18:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ferrets can be challenging pets for 30 year olds!
Ferrets are fun and energetic and cute... but they are also mischevious, tend to bite at fingers and toes, and like to chew and hide things. They have a strong musky odor that can be controlled but not completely removed.
2006-12-01 08:57:16 · answer #8 · answered by water9094 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are fun, but you have to remember that they like to play at night and they will hide your jewelry and anything else they can get a hold of. But to answer your question an eleven year old girl will be able to take care of a ferret easy.
2006-12-01 08:53:49 · answer #9 · answered by loser 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A ferret may be difficult to deal with unless you get a very young one and know exactly how to do it. If you don't have any experience with one, I would never recommend it for your 11 year old.
Other ideas for this girl:
A small-breed dog, a cat, a rabbit, a guinea pig...
2006-12-01 08:55:46 · answer #10 · answered by Megane W 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋