Is the smell of ferrets really as bad as I've been reading? I have been considering getting one, but we live in a small apartment in Japan. Will the smell overpower my entire apartment? What exactly do they smell like? It can 't be that bad since many people are ferret owners, Right?
Any advice or tips? Should I get a young one or one that's already 3 or 4 years old? Also I've been reading that many get cancer, is it very common? It makes me worried about getting attached to one and then it dying on me in just a few years. Please help! Arigatou!
2006-12-17 21:57:55 · 6 answers · asked by kiki 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I kept ferrets for years. They are wonderful pets if you treat them right. They live 6 to 10 years 6 being more common but I've heard of them living to 13. Due to a change in lifestyle I recently had to rehome my last 7, the youngest of them is 5 and they are all in good healthy (I saw the guy who has them at the weekend) Any animal can get cancer, not much you can do about that if it happens.
I never found the smell offensive though some people do. Except when they scent mark, that absolutely reeks but they generally only do that if they are distressed. It's a kind of musty smell, a bit farm yardy if you know what I mean, you pretty soon get used to it anyway.
Younger ferrets are more playful and can be inclined to nip occasionally, when they get older they tend to mellow, generally I'd recommend getting a younger one because you can be sure it has been well handled from a young age.
When I was considering getting ferrets I consulted my vet regarding potential illness, cost, etc and she put me in touch with a ferret owner so I could handle some first. You may find it helpful to do that, then you can judge for yourself if you find the smell offensive.
2006-12-17 22:41:53 · answer #1 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 6 ferrets in my apartment right now. They do have an odor. I use Marshalls pet odor eliminator- add it to water. Also, I scoop the litter boxes everyday. I would suggest getting onet hat is about 2-3 for 1st ferret owners. The ferret should be out of nipping stage by then and pretty much trained. Cancer is very common for ferrets. they usually live about 7 years. I work for a rescue too, so if you have any more ?s let me know...
2006-12-17 23:44:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do stink, it is a defense mechanism. You can buy stuff that you put in their water daily though that takes the stink away. It just smells like old cat litter and pee, which it the worse because it smells like that when they just do it,, so when its sour it is REALLY bad. But if you buy the stuff which isn't that expensive, then u'll be fine.
2006-12-17 23:36:43 · answer #3 · answered by ContessaVampira 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They smell pretty bad. You should get a young one, they make such wonderful pets that the smell is worth it. They bite a lot too.
2006-12-17 22:01:20 · answer #4 · answered by babycakes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2006-12-18 04:54:49 · answer #5 · answered by george b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They stink - I personally wouldn't want to keep one inside my house/flat with me!
2006-12-17 21:59:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋