I was thinking about getting a ferret. I hear that they can be litter trained so you don't have to keep them in their cages all the time. I currently have 2 cats and a dog. All my cats do is sleep and my dog is getting older and she is very gentle so I don't have to worry about problems from them. Do you have a ferret and do you like it? Are they like a ton of work to keep? I would really appreciate the input. Thanks.
2007-01-26 17:23:44 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Perhaps you weren't listening. I said my cats and dog would be fine with a new pet ferret because we have had other various animals (such as a raven, and stray cats until we found them a home) come and go through this house. I'm not stupid I realize that it takes a great deal of work to get a new pet accustomed to your home and to litter train them. Also I understand that accidents happen I have two cats that sometimes puke on the carpet I can deal with it. I also realize that ferrets are small and can get shut in doors...much like a cat. Please if you are going to respond remember that I have animals and am not a first time pet owner.
To everyone else who has responded with intelligent answers thank you.
2007-01-27 02:15:30 · update #1
I've had ferrets!! they are wonderful pets in my opinion!!
pros- great personality, playful, intelligent, can learn tricks, and their name, and very funny, and entertaining
cons- can be expensive, prone to cancer(which is how our boy ferret died), can be stinky, and have somewhat of an odor.
get 2 because they can keep each other company, however it's not necessary!!
2007-01-27 02:27:08 · answer #1 · answered by ferrets4ever 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'll have to ferret-proof your entire house if you plan to let it free-roam. And they're small and sneaky and get into just about anything, and litter training depends entirely on the willingness of the ferret.
PLEASE do as much research as possible before getting a ferret. Make sure you can give it the best nutrition possible (there's an online ferret food chart that compares brands), have pleanty of ways to keep it entertained, and that it will be safe if it runs around your house- everything has to be locked up, and ferrets are tiny and can get smoshed in doors when you didn't realise they were behind you, accidentally stepped on, etc. You could always just get a very large, good sized cage, keep a litter box inside, and then give him free roam when you are at home and able to supervise him (I've heard most people will place additonal litter boxes around the house).
And ferts do very well with other ferrets, it's usually recommended to own two or more, as far as I know. I'm watching a friend's but I try to give him about five hours of playtime every day.
2007-01-26 17:53:47 · answer #2 · answered by tamago_oni 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My brother had one and unfortunately they are as cute as it gets. That's where it stops. They are a lot of work and are basically little wild animals. First off, I'm not sure if it's just the males but they have a musk odor(they stink). He had to bathe it a lot to keep the odor down. They are burrowing animals and will find the tiniest of holes to go into and disappear for a while. They love to go up pant legs which is sometimes fun and sometimes not. They will bite when the mood strikes them. They do like to cuddle which is nice. They'll play with toys if given the chance. They can be litter trained to a point but will still leave Milk Duds all over. I suggest talking to people who have had them as pets to get more opinions. Don't listen to breeders. Of course they'll tell you that they're the greatest pets in the world to sell you one. Just remember that if you get one you're resposible for it's little life whether you like it or not. That's what makes it a big decision to make. Good luck.
2007-01-26 18:23:26 · answer #3 · answered by dalet51@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why you get your panties all up in a bunch. You ASKED a question and I think the answerer answered your question in great detail. If you don't want to hear what people have to say, don't ask. Maybe you can post the answer you want to hear so we know what to answer without upsetting you.
And no matter how gentle your cats and your dog are right now and how they have been with pets in the past, ferrets are different and there are no ways of predicting on how they'll be around them. Chances are they'll be okay being that they have been good pets up to now, but there are not guarantees. Ferrets are different than any other pet. Good luck to ya.
2007-01-27 08:25:53 · answer #4 · answered by Huh? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have 2 ferrets, I started out with 1 and then ferret math struck and I got another one. I have 1 boy(hob) called Freddie and 1 girl (jill) called Hattie.
I think ferrets are the most amazing pets ever and i love my babies to the moon and back. BUT...........
Ferrets aren't for everyone, I only have to work for 2 days and so I have a lot of time to spend with them and they do need a lot of time, they are playful and inquisitive and VERY determined little fur balls!!
Yes they can be litter trained but I have found this very hard work, you need patience, time and consistency. You need to be able to keep calm when they pee and poop in the place you just cleaned up and after you showed them where to go!! You need to reward their good behaviour and NEVER punish the bad behaviour. Also they will never be 100% litter trained so you have to be prepared for littlle surprises every so often!
a lot of ferrets can get on really well with other pets but some can't, and who's to say your cat and dog will love him as much as you? They must NEVER be left alone together just in case of tragic accidents.
If you're looking for a cuddly pet then a ferret probably isn't it....my Freddie absolutely LOVES a cuddle and to hear sweet nothings whispered in his ear but he is the exeption to the ferret cuddle rule. Hattie is more typical of a ferret, why would she want to be in my arms when there's so much exciting stuff to explore!!
There is also the smell issue, in the US most ferrets are sold with their scent gland removed so they don't make that evil smelling stink but they still have a musky odour and you'll either love it or hate it (I love it!)
There is also lots of cleaning involved.....cage, litter trays, food bowls, water bottles, bedding etc.
AND.....never forget the vets bills, ferrets can suffer from some pretty nasty diseases in their lifetime and even if they don't you still need to get them vacinated.
There's lots more I could say about owning ferrets but the main thing is to do your research and then if you think you can care for a ferret properly you will have the best fun of your life with them!!
Good luck......fuzzies rock!! xx
2007-01-27 00:50:36 · answer #5 · answered by manc red 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had one. It was litter trained, and we gave it free run of the house. Aside from a rather strong smell, it was a fun pet. We couldn't leave any leather items laying around such as key fobs or wallets. It loved to steal these and hide them behind the couch. For some unexplained reason it quite using it's litter box, and that was an ugly mess. We ended up taking it to the humane society where it was adopted before we even left the building.
2007-01-26 17:35:45 · answer #6 · answered by idahoturkey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My aunt has one and he is sooo much fun!! He plays and wrestles with you, but he can lay down and cuddle with you too! and yes they can be litter trained. Fur-face, my aunts ferret, will run to his cage to go to the bathroom right quick then run right back to you to play again. They do smell a little tho. They're not too terribly hard to keep, but they get into everything. Be careful it doesn't chew on cords or other things you wouldn't want ruined. Very energetic animals.
2007-01-26 17:34:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes i know some people that have them. But they tell me that they aren't allowed in the state California as pets.
2007-01-26 17:29:10 · answer #8 · answered by Tori 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋