Am I ready for a ferret?

Question

I live in a race car trailer with living quarters, 24 feet long, 8 feet wide, 6 and 1/2 feet high..Its a full time house, meaning we don't haul anything with it. What I'm asking is, is my house the adequate size for a single male ferret? I live seperate from my parents (they have their own RV) and sisters. My sisters are 6 and 3. They'd have little interaction with the ferret. I'm willing to buy a large cage and plenty of toys and accessories! We do travel alot, but I've heard ferrets travel well. Of course, the ferret would be in a cage in the vehicle with me! I really do think a ferret is the right pet for me. I can't have a dog, cat, rabbit, or iguana... Thanks for your input!

Answer 1

If you plan on getting only one, do you have the time to interact with it outside the cage 2-8 hours a day? It will sleep some while out of the cage, but they do need interaction and supervision. Ferrets are very social animals and highly intelligent. Check out Ferret Depot for great accessories. A mix of high quality/protein ferret/kitten foods is recommended. That way if one is unavailable, they will still eat their food. Invest in a copy of Ferrets for Dummies and join a forum or two. That way you can get answers to questions a lot faster. The smell does not have to be a problem, just keep their litterbox cleaned at least once a dat, bedding once a week and cage once a month; try to feed them food that does not have fish in it and don't bathe them too often - it only aggravates the problem by pushing odor-producing oil cells into hyperdrive to compensate for dry fur/skin. Mine get bathed about once a year - they are naturally clean animals if their areas are kept clean. Do this and they smell better than most dogs. Most ferret people like the musky scent that ferrets have naturally. They are one of the best pets out there. Just by virtue of the fact that you are asking tells me you would be a responsible owner. Just ferret-proof like mad. Remember, you can ferret-proof your home, but you can't house-proof a ferret. If there's a way at all they can get out, into walls, etc., they will.

Answer 2

Depends on how much you can handle. Ferrets are a huge step up from other small animals. They require much more attention than rats, mice, guineas, etc. Ferrets will sleep 18 hours a day, and expect to play the rest of the time. That means devoting two hours a day minimum to ferret play time, or risking your ferret becoming depressed. And yes, they do that. Theyre highly intelligent, and if they feel neglected, they become lethargic and often stop eating. Also keep in mind their cleaning requirements are very high - their intestinal tract is only 4 hours long. They will often wake up just to poop, and then back to bed. Smell can be something to consider too - their poop stinks, and ferrets themselves have a heavy musky odor (even descented ferrets smell musty). Your room will always smell. Period. For all these reasons, ferrets are often given up to animal sanctuaries by their owners - owning a ferret can be quite demanding. If you still think a ferret is for you, heres some advice to keep in mind... To keep any ferret comfortably, you will have to have a large cage, especially if they spend most of the day alone. Honestly, its always a good idea to have a pair, as they do better with a playmate. I would pick a pair from the same litter so you know they get along. Older ferrets will not always get along with younger ones. Lastly, get the name of a good local vet that deals with exotics. Not all vets will treat ferrets, and if something happens, you want to have that info handy.

Answer 3

House space doesn't matter much for ferrets as long as THEIR cage is big enough. They do however need lots of things to keep them intertained and active. They need lots of stimulation and activities. They also need exercise and love to explore and investigate. I have two ( a male and a female) and they spend a lot of time out of their cage and running the house or mud room playing and hiding and exploring. I found that ferrets that spend time outside of their cages everyday do MUCH better than those always locked up. They tend to get bored easy and develop bad habits. They also get depressed easy and loose weight. Their food can be a bit hard to find if you want a decent food and they will find any hole or access to the outside. Be very careful of where they are allowed to roam cause they are sneaky and can fit through the tiniest of places. Keeping their litter box clean is fairly easy if you keep at it and empty it often. If you don't, they tend to really smell up the joint even if descented. They do take work but are great little pets and very fun. Just make sure you have the time for them and can keep them healthy physically AND emotionally. They are very social creatures and need attention to be happy. They are one of the most entertaining pets ever though...a laugh a minute.

Answer 4

I think it would be fine, as long as your trailer is sealed tight. The smallest crack (one that a mouse could get into), a ferret can get into as well. Check your baseboards especially. Size means nothing, as long as you can keep them entertained.
Ferrets only smell if you do not clean up after them. Every ferret you can buy should be descented and nuetered already. They have a slight musky odor (being a mustelid) but nothing near as bad as a skunk. They also do not smell if you feed them a high quality diet (Zupreem ferret food or totally ferret)
They require a lot of attention. Mine needs about 5 hours of play time at the very least a day.

My ferret loves car rides- he sleeps like a baby the whole time and knows when the car stops- he gets to see something new!

Answer 5

well my mom has a cuple of ferrets they are fun to play with. but they do need a large cage and something like a play pin, but since you have a rv then you probaly wont want one i think it just gives them space to move and play around in. you have to bath them or they will kinda start to stink. i think you are ready for a ferret as long as you have a cage,food,water, and things for it to play with. Ferrets do travel well i have traveled with ferrets befor. they are also soft

Answer 6

Ferrets are great pets! I haven't had one yet but I'm working on getting one! If you can't spend alot of time with the ferret then I suggest getting two. Are you going to let them roam aroung the caravan? If you do it costs alot of money making sure it is safe so you'd have to get a big no HUGE cage. If you reconsider can I suggest hermit crabs?

Answer 7

Put it this way, do you have enought time to devote to a two year old? The require the same amount of care. Please do some serious research. Also as far as cages go one of these is best.

Answer 8

Sounds like you are ready to me!!! You might want to put baby locks on any drawers or anything like that cuz the lil fuzzbutts are very smart & can work them open if you don't have locks!!

Answer 9

My sister had three ferrets and they stink. wile they are play full and fun to have around they smell terrible even if you take care of them really well. If I were you I would get a rabbit of a golfer they don't smell as much and are just as fun to have around.

Answer 10

yeah..i guess so.But i have to warn u that they smell..not very nice.When i once went to a pet store i saw a cute ferret but the stink made me wanna leave. but if u really want one i guess u can.Just warnin!