Ferret Owners~ I really want a pet but I think that a dog would be to much responsibility?

Question

I am 20 and I am usually alone at night before my boyfriend and roomate come home from work. I wanted a dog but everyone told me its not the right time. Please tell me if you think that a ferret would be a pet that wouldnt need as much care as a dog but still fun loving and cudly for my lonly nights after work....

Um my dad is allergic to cats....i have my own apartment but i would still want him to visit....so anyother suggestions besides a cat?

Answer 1

I think a ferret is actually more responsibility than a dog. I have five dogs, and two ferrets. The ferrets require alot more grooming, cleanup, exercise time (depending on the type of dog), etc. If you are worrying about responsibility, I would suggest a rabbit or hamster instead of a ferret. Also ferrets are not an animal that you can just snuggle with once a day. They require a few hours a day at least out of their cage for activities, exercise, etc. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hi, I work with dogs for a living. Dogs are lots of responsibility, so its good that if you dont think you are up for the challenge, another animal may be a better choice.

Cats can be great pets, just like dogs. They are easily litter box trained (most come litter box trained), and very independent. The upkeep for a cat (which i own), is minimal. Scoop litter box 1 time a day, and make sure kitty has ample water. I feed mine twice a day wet food, and he gets to free feed with dry food.

Cats will curl up with you and can be wonderful company.

As for a ferret, I don't know how much loving they will do. Ferrets can be extremely destructive, they like to chew through wood and "burrow"- which means you could be saying goodbye to your mattress or your couch. They can also smell.

I would go with a cat. However, any pet you get will cost money (food, initial supplies (cages, litter box, bowls, etc), vaccinations), so be sure you have both the time AND money for whatever pet you are choosing.

My best suggestion would be to start with a hamster. I know it sounds funny, but that was my first pet. They dont usually need to go to a vet, they live a short period of time (not that you want your pet to die, but this way if you dont like the experience, you only have him for a year or two), and they are not expensive.

Remember, all animals cost time, money, and love. :-) good luck in your search!

Answer 3

My sister has 6 ferrets and she loves them dearly, but I wouldn't really say that they can be loving and cudly because they aren't really tame like a dog or cat would be. They just like to run around and chase little rubber balls or beat each other up. They do require alot though because you have to bathe them like twice a week because they emit this musky smell (which I think smells horrible and makes your entire house smell that way)... you also have to litter box train them and they like to make a mess with that and kick the litter all over the place. You also have to keep them away from carpet areas that they might think they can scratch up. Always keep a close eye on them because they like to hide in couches and behind the washing machine. I'd say if you want a pet, try a small dog or cat.


EDIT: Since you really can't get a cat because of the whole dad thing, what about a chinchilla. They are cute and fuzzy, and don't smell like ferrets.

Answer 4

You are away too long to have a dog (unless your mum is at home all day), and JRT are very high energy and wouldnt do well in an apartment setting, unless you were give it an hour walk every day. If you want something thats easy to look after, go for a guinea pig, but if you want something a bit more challenging and fun, go for a ferret :D

Answer 5

Ferrets are expensive and require alot of time and attention. I don't think this would be a good pet for someone who is busy and doesn't have time for an animal. If you really have your heart set on a ferret, check out the book "Ferrets for Dummies" by Kim Schilling. Having more than one ferret also keeps your ferret from being too lonely and bored while you're gone.
Good pets might be cats, rabbits, rodents, fish, turtles, amphibians, and snakes if you don't have enough time on your hands.

Answer 6

Ferrets are not lower maintenance than dogs by far. AND vet care for ferrets is more expensive. Ferrets are prone to certain diseases as they age and it takes an exotic specialist vet to take care of most of them. They are hard to find and they cost ya.
I just ended up paying almost $800.00 for the diagnosis and surgical removal of ......................a hair ball on my 3 yr old female.

PS: Do NOT ever pinch a ferrets nose or mouth. If you have a biter you scruff them, say "NO BITE" very sternly, if that doesn't work you use time outs in minute intervalls. You can also scruff them, reprimand them verbally and carefully drag them along the floor by the scruff of their neck. That's how older ferrets discipline youngsters. Do not hit or pinch a ferret anywhere.
And 99% of all ferrets do not cuddle, ever. They are fun to be with, great to watch, but only about 1 in 100 will cuddle and only if you spend a LOT of time with it.

Answer 7

ferrets are very high maintenance, and they need to run around atleast 2 hrs. a day, and need constant handling to be friendly. so if a dog is too much responsibility, then so is a ferret.

if you're looking for a small care pet, then i would suggest gerbils, which are friendlier than hamsters by the way, and incredibly low maintanence, and low cost!

Answer 8

I have 1 dog, 1 cat and 1 ferret. I love all 3 but to be honest the ferret is my favorite. He lives in a cage in my garage and I take him out 2 to 3 times a day to run around. They are super funnny and love to play. He does like to get into drawers and cabinets so I've dedicated one as "his" in a dresser with a blanket. After he's done playing I can find him cuddled up sleeping in there about 75% of the time. He does use the litter box, but if its dirty, he will go next to it. They will scratch up carpet if they want out of that area and are stuck in it. (I have tile/wood floors) They are easy to transport in a carrier. We take ours with us on most trips. They do smell musky but if you bath them regularly it's not bad. (Go to a pet store and get an idea if you can handle the smell. Remember they are going to smell worse at the store because there are several in one small area and they aren't bathed) If you decide to get one make sure you have time to let him run around, they like to be active. Also if you have one that bites, you can train him to not bite by pinching the roof of his mouth and the top of his nose with your 2 fingers for about 5 -10 seconds. After doing this several times they won't want to bite because they hate that.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do, but I love my little guy and so does everyone else who sees/plays with him!

Answer 9

My friend had a ferret once. The ferret went deaf in his old age and to prove it, my friend would bang pots and pans right by the ferrets head and he wouln't even flinch. I thought that was cruel. Eventually the ferret got mauled by a racoon in the yard, and so was put down, that was sad.

Answer 10

Get a cat, they keep themselves clean. I have 6 half cats, half lynx and their easy to keep. Their cleaner than a person and I don't allow them outside I have a enclosed room inside of a room and a 4'x8' litter box, but all you would need to do was go down to petsmart store and ask them for one of automatic litter box. Then all you would need to do is feed it and pet or scratch it. also at petsmart you can get its shots. They like to play so I have some cat furniture and when their up there I shoot rubber bands at them and when they catch it, one of them would bring them back to me.