which is better for a pet, a guinea pig or a ferret?

Question

im trying to decide on which to get, a ferret or a guinea pig. im wanting a pet that would be best for me. one that wont bite much, and that has the better personality. i need a good friend, and im sure the pet i get will be great! so i need your help.

Answer 1

g. pigs usually require less care. make sure you talk to a vet that specializes in pocket pets before making your decision. don't listen to the person in the pet store. g. pigs require additional supplementations of vit c, and not just water additives the best ways are broccoli, lettuce, not iceberg, and other green veggies. ferrerts require special cages, they tend to escape, and need regular vet visits and should be vaccinated. but they are fun too, but ferrets do have a natural odor even if they are descented. do your research, talk to actual professionals, and pick the right buddy for you.

Answer 2

I am a ferret owner. I have five.

For your question, it all depends on your lifestyle and how much time and energy as well as money you are willing to spend on your pet.

I have never had a guinea pig, but I will give you a small insight on what it takes to own a ferret.

Ferrets need at least three hours of play time out of their cage a day. They are like having a two year old child in your house. They like getting into trouble. Babies are known to bite. I have a 4 month old and we are working on biting. Sometimes it takes untill they are a year old to get them to stop, but this is not always the case. They are very expensive. I had one of my boys get sick this year and spent over a thousand dollars in vet bills this year. This doesn't inclued his yearly shots. Ferrets are prone to many medical problems, and most of them are very expensive to treat. Too many ferrets get turned over to shelters because the owner can't afford the vet bills, or they are not willing to spend the money.

Ferrets have ALOT of personality and are alot of fun, but sometimes the future problems can out weigh the cute and fun times.

I do have to disagree with one of the other posts though. Do not get a baby. They take alot of time and energy and are not a good choice for a first time ferret owner. Find a ferret shelter near you and see if you can go and spend some time with some of their babies. Adults tend to be a bit calmer (well, you could call it that since all ferrets have ALOT of energy) and require a bit less training. That and if you go to a shelter, the person running it could help you find a ferret that fits you. That and there are too many ferrets in shelters.

My biggest advise if you are considering getting a ferret is, google "ferret information". Spend some time to do your research, so you know exactly what you are getting into. A good website is Ferretfacts.com.

Good luck in your search

Answer 3

My family has owned 2 ferrets in the past and just loved them. They are the greatest and little clowns. They sleep several hours a day, so while you are at work, the little critter is sleeping and when you come home, ready to romp and play. Both of the ones we got were males. Make sure that they are neutered or spayed and de-scented. Even descented, they do get a bit of a smell, but a bath in a good ferret shampoo keeps them smelling fresh and clean. The only drawback is that they only live 7 to 9 years and they are prone to adrenal disorders. If you do get one, play with it everyday and handle it A LOT. The more you play with them, the tamer they get. They can get nippy and sometimes forget that they aren't playing with another ferret, so to discipline them, you scruff them (grab the loose skin of their neck behind they ears) and that gets your point across real quick. I have never owned a guinea pig, so I can't speak about their personality or if they are good pets.

Answer 4

Ideally, you should research both. Guinea pigs are relatively easy to care for, inexpensive and don't require fancy accomodations. They live 5-7 years and can make friendly, personable pets who will recognize their owners. Mine used to squeal when she saw me, expecting a treat! They need a good-sized cage that should be cleaned at least once a week, and they need fresh guinea pig (NOT rabbit pellets) pellets supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables. They don't generally have health problems if they receive proper care and nutrition: they MUST have adequate vitamin C. They need things to chew like sterilized bone to keep their teeth trimmed and the toenails should be cut once a month or so. They don't carry any particular diseases but should never be handled by a sick person as they can catch respiratory bugs from us. They make are a nice, basic choice for someone who wants a cute, friendly and not-too-demanding little buddy. They also come in different hair types, from smooth to wooly to wiry to long hair, and in all different colors.
Ferrets are a WHOLE different ball game. For one thing, they are EXTREMELY curious and mischievous: you have to be constantly aware of where they are and what they are doing as they can get in serious trouble by eating or playing with something dangerous. They can escape through a very small hole so you'd have to inspect your home carefully as you don't want them getting into your wall or outside. They play with everything, safe or not, and they are very entertaining when they're playing. They do sometimes bite. They eat animal protein (i.e. meat) and they are not particular about where they poop: you will have to clean up after them. You may find them very smelly: their food, their bodies and their waste. They need to be bathed every so often as they get oily and smelly. They should have a large, multi-level cage with plenty of climbing and sleeping places and they need to get out of the cage every day for exercise. They require a lot more care and a lot more exercise than a guinea pig, and a large proportion of them will get cancer after the age of 5 or so. Then you choose between expensive surgery and treatment, or euthanasia. First decide what kind of commitment you're willing to make to a pet, and get to know some ferrets personally before you decide on one or more.

Answer 5

Guinea pigs are a lot easier. I've never had one bite. They are cute. They have very little brain.
Ferrets are more playful. They are a lot of fun to chase around the room, barricade under the furniture, and touch noses with. They have a great sense of humor. But, some of them cannot be persuaded to stop nipping. They nip you to get you to chase them; with me it always worked, it made me so mad! I guess they don't all do this.
Hope this helps you decide.

Answer 6

I have two ferrets. They are hilarious and I love them. They are certainly entertaining and have a lot of personality.

They do have their down sides. Certain ferrets are biters (they love toes). They can get a little smelly if you don't keep up on cleaning the litter, etc. And they are trouble makers, my ferrets are a lot like kids, constantly up to trouble!

Ferrets are great friends and have a lot of personality, but you need a lot of patience and love.

Answer 7

We have a guinea pig, he is cool, but he does squeak all night. So we keep him in our daughters room, she loves him, it doesn't bother her. But I've always wanted a ferret, you'll just have to go to a pet store and hold one of each and decide. Good luck have fun with which ever you decide to get!!!

Answer 8

Ferrets are really good companions if you don't mind their musty smell, even when their scent glands are removed they still have a very noticeable smell in your house, or when you touch them. I would go with a Guinea pig or a chincilla - they are low maintenance and don't have a bad smell. Don't ever get a rabbit......

Answer 9

I would say guinea pigs are better, they bite less and don't have a musky odor like ferrets do.

Answer 10

I would have to say a guinea pig, simply because they dont stick as bad as ferrets do. G.P. Also dont need that much time, so your not always tied down.