any suggestions on buying a pet ferret???

Question

im getting ready to by a ferret and was curious about them...How do u train them and keep them from biting? and are they good pets? any answers would be appreciated...

Answer 1

I'm a ferret Mom of (almost) 17 yrs...right now I have 4....
Please DO NOT buy a ferret till you have read EVERYTHING you can about ferrets.
They are NOT CATS OR DOGS. Ferrets only bite when playing, scared or hurt...they do make good pets, FOR THE RIGHT PERSON.
www.ferretcentral.net

www.theferretstore.com (forums)

Please don't get a ferret because you think they're cute and they need no care....they need more care than a cat or dog and they attach themselves to you (as a person). Ferrets end up in shelters or dead because people think they can keep them in a cage 24 hrs a day and ignore them...if you don't have 6-8 hrs a day for play, time to keep them fed (24/7) and money for vet visits (85% of Marshall Farms ferrets have cancer, lymphoma, adrenal and pancreatic...surgeries run $400-$600 and then theres after care...you have to be able to hand feed and water a ferret every 4 hrs...) From 03-05 (19, 1/2 mnths I lost 5 ferrets to cancer...they had surgery and the best vets money could buy, $7000. plus in bills).
I love ferrets and wouldn't have anything else...(I grew up with dogs) but they are NOT for someone who doesn't have time, money and patience...

Answer 2

First, either buy or go to the library and get a copy of Ferrets for Dummies - it's a great resource. Next, join a forum or two. The people on these forums have a vast wealth of information for the ferret novice and encourage questions; love to share experiences. You do not have to have a ferret to be a member; you just need to be interested in them. Ferrets are naturally clean animals that do not need bathed more than once or twice a year. As long as their litterboxes, bedding and living areas are kept clean, they smell better than most dogs. I recommend starting with an older ferret from a shelter. They are a good one to learn on. Then, later, when you're more comfortable and feel you are ready for a more intense relationship, get a kit. If you have a ferret, it won't be long before you get more anyway. LOL It's called ferret math. Also, it's the kits that are more likely to bite until they learn not to. If biting occurs, scruff the ferret and yell "NO BITE!" They will soon associate this with the act and will stop. Just, remember, though, their skin is tougher than ours, and for them biting is play, so there probably will be a little mouthing. They are great pets; I have 4 and hope to never have to live without them.

Answer 3

I have 2 ferrets and have had 4 total. I suggest male ferrets. Some reason they are easier to potty train. We have a huge 3 story cage and we carry ours all the time. I also suggest a Marshall ferret (the 'brand'). Marshall's come descented and fixed. There is always a smell. I have noticed their food smells bad. We bathe ours one a week and keep the cage clean. One thing to remember is that they are like kittens. Very mischievous and very spunky. Another thing to know is do not buy from one of those mall pet stores. You have a high chance of getting a genetically defective ferret that will die before it reaches 1 year of age. Please visit the website http://www.ferret.org/index.shtm . there is a lot of info there.

Answer 4

I have a ferret who has had two previous owners. His first owner couldn't care for him so my brother in law took him in and then my poor brother in law passed away suddenly and his wife is allergic to anything furry. He is sweet and inquisitive and has only had one incident of an almost bite. He had my husband's big toe in his mouth but didn't chomp down. I didn't care for ferrets at all before we adopted him - in fact they frightened me.

Now, about buying a ferret - have you considered contacting a local ferret rescue group? They will only allow well socialized ferrets to be adopted out so you can avoid the biting issue. They can also help you to pick one that will work with you. They're more like cats than other caged animals. They have their own personalities and can become sad if they don't get enough time with their people. The rescue groups can also give you support and answer your questions. You should also talk to your vet or find one in your area that cares for ferrets as they need yearly vaccinations and other care.

All in all, I enjoy our ferret but I recognize that they're not for everybody. Good luck.

Answer 5

I have one and she is a wonderful pet. you have to let them out of there cage and run free everyday for a few hours. they sleep about 20 hours a day but when they are up they are very hyper. biting is not a big deal...there is a spray called bitter apple that you can spray on your hands when handling and if they try to bite it will taste very bad and he-she will learn that biting is bad. training is easy. make sure that the litter is always fresh otherwise they will go in other areas. also ferrets can carry an odor and they need to have a bath a few times a week. you can buy shampoo at the pet store for them. make sure that your litter in there litter box is dust free. and make sure that you have plenty of toys in the cage for them to play with. 2 to 3 story cages are the best to have for them. oh they like to hide so get a hanging bag to put in the cage. this is something that they love to sleep in. you are also teach them tricks just like you do a dog. Good Luck with you soon to be new pet. Hope that my advice has helped you out!!

Answer 6

My brother had one. It was easy to train, but it really smelled. I don't know if it was the oil on it's skin or what, but it really had a terrible smell to it that wouldn't go away.

Answer 7

Depends where you live - they're illegal in some places

Answer 8

they smell.