What would be a better pet for a fourteen (14) year old???

Question

What would make a better suited pet for 2 14 year old boys to take care of and have as a companion?? (they already have a dog so dont say dog or cat haha) either a SUGAR GLIDER OR A FERRET??? WHICH ONE AND WHY?? THEY BOTH LOVE BOTH!

Answer 1

One of my best friends is really into animals and she had both. I would say a ferret, because my friends sugar gilder was really cute, but it was really mean and would bite anyone who touched it, and even though ferrets smell really bad, if they are handled from a young age they generaly are very nice.

Answer 2

I personally do not like ferrets, but I think two 14 year old boys would have a blast with a ferret. I don't like them because I like calm animals, who are just big cuddlers, and most ferrets I know are VERY playful. That is why I think two 14 year old boys would love one. I don't know a lot about taking care of them. I work at a vet clinic, and we see quite a few, and they are nice pets, very fun for people who like playful mischievous pets. And they aren't like a lot of other small pets that have to be in a cage all day. They can be litter trained, and they can run around the house. I would just suggest you ferret proof your house, and always watch it when it is out of it's cage.

I know nothing about sugar gliders except that they are cute. But I have never seen one in real life. I would suggest doing research on both to see which one would suit your boys best. Good Luck!!!

I wanted to add that I have never personally met a ferret that was mean or would bite anyone. I'm sure they are just like any other pet, if they are handled a lot from a young age then they should not be aggressive. And for the ferret that bit the child, that is awful, but that ferret should not have been left alone unattended while a child was sleeping. And ferrets do have a distinct smell. Some people can't stand it, while other people with ferrets do not mind the smell. I think you should smell a ferret before you decide. This is just a little more information that I know about ferrets.

Answer 3

A sugar glider is a wild exotic animal that some people keep as pets these days. If you really are considering this animal, get as much information as possible on how to take care of it BEFORE you purchase one. Ferrets are a much more common pet. Vets know how to care for ferrets more readily than sugar gliders, etc. Check out the links below for more info.

Answer 4

Not exactlly sure what a sugar glyder is but i love my ferret James. Here are the two animals broken down for you.
Sugar Glyder- The Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps), sometimes called the Flying Sugar, is a small gliding possum native to eastern and northern mainland Australia, New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and introduced to Tasmania. The most noticeable features of its anatomy, however, are the twin skin membranes called patagium which extend from the fifth finger of the forelimb back to the first toe of the hind foot. These are inconspicuous when the Sugar Glider is at rest — it merely looks a little flabby, as though it had lost a lot of weight recently — but immediately obvious when it takes flight. The membranes are used to glide between trees: when fully extended they form an aerodynamic surface the size of a large handkerchief.
Ferret- In general use, a ferret is a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Several other small, elongated carnivorous mammals belonging to the family Mustelidae also have the word "ferret" in their common names, including the endangered black-footed ferret, but in common use, a "ferret" is a domesticated ferret. Other members of the mustelid family include weasels, stoats, and martens. Ferrets are energetic, curious, and always interested in their surroundings. They actively elicit play with their owners.

Ferrets tend to be very nippy as kits, requiring patience and persistence in handling. Nipping is the act of biting in a playful manner reminiscent of mock fighting and sparring; young ferrets are also more prone to chewing and teething. Older ferrets tend to chew far less frequently and when trained correctly, almost never nip a human hand. Younger inexperienced ferrets have a tendency to nip and bite harder, which may irritate an owner who does not understand ferret behavior. For this reason, some young ferrets end up neglected, when owner's patience runs out and the ferret is abandoned to its cage.

Ferret life-span can vary widely, but usually falls between six and ten years, though in rare cases ferrets can live into their early teens.

In the USA ferrets typically cost around $100 to $150. In Australia it is usually from $0.00 to $80.00 and the desexing is done by the new owners - descenting is often considered a mutilation. Additional costs of a secure cage, food, bedding, veterinary check-ups, and medicine should be taken into consideration by prospective owners.
Hope this helps

Answer 5

I would say a ferret. Sugar gliders need a lot of attention and unless you plan to get a companion for it you will end up holding them were ever you go. A someone I know got a sugar glider and she had to hold it at all times. The one time she left it for more that 10 minitets it died.

Answer 6

I would say sugar glider (2 sugar gliders, they are social animals) if they don't want to spend ALL of their free time with the pet, just a large portion of it. Ferrets, imo, are more time consuming. They are larger, so that means bigger cage to clean, more poo to scoop. They are also more needy for attention from their owners. Thats not to say sugar glidres can be ignored. By no means. They are just more social and enjoy having another sugar glider around to play with. But one drawback to sugar gliders is that they are nocturnal, so daytime does not equal playtime to them. I would have your sons research both animals before buying. Then they'd know which animal would best suit their lifestyles. Good luck!

Answer 7

Well I don't know what the sugar glider is... but I've heard that ferrets are pretty cool. I've never really thought about having one as a pet. Good luck on the choice!

Answer 8

I think a ferret because a sugar glider will probably take more responsibility and 14 year old boys probably (eventually) won't have any time to take care of it.

Answer 9

ferret- although they are incredibly stinky- because they are cuddly and fun...have you thought of a chinchilla? they are very cute, don't smell, intelligent enough to be a responsive pet and make lovely noises. We had a rabbit, they too are fun, they follow you around and can go outside so they are quite good for boys...all of these will make great gog food so watch out! Just looked up sugar gliders on the net- very very sweet, Have all four- start a rodent farm!

Answer 10

Get them a ferret. A sugar glider takes careful handling and shouldnt even be sold at all in my opinion. Where people get these animals is beyond me because they happen to be protected in Australia where they come from. So dont buy them...it only encourages them to be brought into environments which arent good for them.