anyone have a ferret? do they make good pets?

Question

ive been looking...

Answer 1

I have 3 Ferrets, they are all healthy (with regular vet check ups) playful, loving, silly, little thieves!! Yes They do make great pets, IF you READ UP on them Before You get them!! They do have a musky smell to them even after being descended, BUT BATHING THEM IS NOT THE ANSWER!! Amazingly the LESS you bath them THE LESS THEY SMELL! They only need a bath if they get really dirty. They love to dig, and will find a way to get into house plants and make a mess. And will mess up carpets.
They will find away to get into the couch and the lower cabinets and they will get into some of the strangest things. My ferrets steal and hide everything BUT the toys I buy them to hide. They do come to the squeaky toys, but they wont take them. They love balls, for some reason my ferrets like big balls though. And only dirty sox's, which really grosses me out.
There cage needs to be big enough for them to eat, go to the bathroom, sleep and play. Also they are social animals so it's best to get more then one at once unless you can constantly be with them.
They poop in corners and normally have a favorite corner to poop in so if you just put there litter box in that corner they will normally go in the litter box. Sounds easy ha? Ya don't expect perfection cause they will also poop in the middle of door ways and any other corner they decide is there’s, or that they smell poop in. I have one ferret that will (with no training from me) normally seek out ether his litter box or the cats litter box (both work out great for me!).
Yes they can bite, but they can also be trained not to. Blowing in there face worked on 2 of my ferrets and the 3rd just needed lots of love and holding to get him not to bite. So it all just depends on the ferret. NEVER HIT A FERRET, they only bite cause they feel threatened, or want down. But if you let them down after they bite you then all you are really doing is teaching them that by biting you they get what they want, so be brave and don't give in. Ether keep holding them and petting them or give them a time out in there cage. It works, but it takes time.
They love tunnels, a blanket just thrown on the floor is a hide and seek game for them, so watch were you steep!
With LOTS of Love and a HOLE LOT of PASHENTS ferrets can be GREAT PETS and GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!
GOOD LUCK!

Also it's best to get them from an animal shelter, not only will you be saving a life but they can tell you more about the specific ferret you are interested in, then any pet store will ever be able to tell you.

Answer 2

I've owned several ferrets in the past and yes, they do make wonderful pets-but they have a lot of requirements that need to be fulfilled in order for them to live happy lives. They are friendly, but also very hyper and need free roam or a very large cage in order to have sufficient space to burn out their energy...do you have the ability to let them run free or have the space for a cage that's about 5 feet tall? They will need lots of toys, too- they're very smart and interactive, and need things to play with and explore. Ferrets need lots of attention so if you won't be able to meet these needs, you should consider getting two of them so they can keep each other company during the day. Will you have the time to litter box train them? This will make life a lot easier and save you a lot of cleanup time! Ferrets have very strong scent glands that release a musky odor which doesn't always go away- even when descented. Their fur also gets oily very fast, so they require regular bathing or spray downs with a small animal waterless shampoo. Many commercially sold ferret foods also don't provide all the nutrients a ferret will need, so you'll be shelling out a little more cash to buy them the good stuff if you want to keep them healthy and avoid unnecessary weight gain.

If you have the time and the money it takes to own a ferret though, they do make wonderful pets.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I have 2 ferrets, and they are the best pets ever. Not the easiest to begin with: they need to be litter trained, and taught not to bite humans, as biting is just their natural way of playing. I don't have a problem with the smell, even though I have a good sense of smell. In fact I only bathe mine if they get very dirty, as regular bathing makes their sebaceous glands go into overdrive to replace the coat oils, and they smell more than ever.

They do need to have their claws trimmed and ears cleaned regularly, and are also prone to hairballs, which they can't cough up like a cat, so they need to be given hairball laxative every few days.

Many people keep them ok in a very large cage, but personally I wouldn't be happy with that unless the cage was the size of a small room! My pair just have their own room, which is ferret proofed so they can't escape or get hold of anything that might harm them. On the point of cable chewing, I have never come across a ferret that chewed cables. They aren't like bunnies in that regard. Chewable rubber and upholstery foam are your worst enemies as a ferret-owner. Never allow your ferret access to these, as pieces get chewed off and swallowed, and cause bowel impactions.

Finally, do all the research you can before deciding to get ferrets. They are amusing, engaging, lovable and cuddly, but they have specific needs, and are prone to some very serious diseases, which cost a lot to treat and need a lot of care. I can highly recommend a book called Ferrets for Dummies - has all the basic information you need in starting out with ferrets.

Answer 4

I have two ferrets and they are a lot of fun but can also be a lot of work. Their litter has to be cleaned a lot and they need a large cage. They also need to be let out of their cage to run around for a few years each night if possible. You want to make sure you get one that is fixed and descented so they won't stink as bad. They have a natural odor that you can't get rid of and are only suppose to be bathed every other month at the most.

I love my ferrets, they are very social and love to play you just have to make sure you have time for them. Some of them you have to train also to not bite.

Answer 5

They do make good pets if you have the time and supplies that you need. They are a very high maintenance pet. They need a lot of toys, a big cage, a bed, a litter box etc etc. They have to be trained to use the litter box, it isn't instinct like with a cat. They often poop in a corner of your house. They also steal things and hide them so keep an eye on the hiding places so you can retrieve you watch, keys, and also so you can clean out all the food they hide. They are so much fun that it is usually worth all the work and time involved. If I wasn't allergic I would get another one.

Answer 6

I have a ferret and hes great hes about 7 years old and named tweek. I think they make great pets!! The do have a smell to them but I give him a bath once a week and clip his nails. Now ferrets are thiefs, mine steals socks and keys. But I love him. So yes they do make good pets

Answer 7

FERRET, monkeys scent in simple terms as undesirable and are very recommend. do not get a monkey, you'll remorseful about it, i recognize it appears like a good suggestion, it did to me to yet believe me do not do it, they are SO difficult to protect, and some will be very recommend, truly at the same time as they become older! I had a ferret not some time previous, sure they do stink yet you in effortless words ought to sparkling its container, maximum of them are educated to flow in slightly container which makes it person-friendly, and they are HILARIOUS pets, and fully attractive!

Answer 8

ferrets are awsome pets if u get one that is fixed and had its scent glands removed. also it makes it alot funner if u get one that is already littler trained because it took my baby ferret a while to learn. and u should keep a close eye on them when they are out of their cage because all ferets have a certain fedish. for example my ferret steels peoples foam sandals and hides them and my old one used to do the same thing to socks.

Answer 9

I have 2. They are great pets but they do have an odor. You can bathe them for that. You need a cage for when you are not home. You have to let them out so they can get exercise. They do steal things and hide them. Some bite. Mine have never bitten anything. They make excellent pets. Make sure you get one that is spayed or nuetered and descented!!

Answer 10

My best friend had one for a while. They're mischievous, but they're great fun. Just be sure to buy a ferret leash, because the little buggers love to get behind refrigerators, washing machines, your mom's long hair, couches, and anywhere else warm, tight, and dark.