Is a Ferret a good first time pet for anyone?

Question

I am considering the idea of getting my 15 year oldl daughter a Ferret as a present, but I have had bad experiences with cats and dogs in the past...unable to litter train, vomit problems, I even had a cat who always bit me when I tried to pet her. Do you think some people just aren't good at having pets? Is it something like having a good greenthumb for growing plants? Do you have to have a calling or a knack for having pets? Would a Ferret be a good choice to have a pet?
My daughter absolutely would love to have one because I had told her that Ferrets need a lot of playtime, holding and affection and that they die of sadness if you do not cater to them all day long. I am also worried about if to have it in a cage and take it out daily or if it is better to let them roam free around the house all the time. I am also concerned about trainning to ise a litterbox...Is it like trainning a cat? How much does a Ferret cost? How much per year it costs?

Thanks,

Possible Ferret Gifte

Answer 1

no, they have a wild side and like to get into the garbage

Answer 2

OK...with all the information listed a ferret is not going to be the right pet for you.

First...ferrets have to be litter trained and even after they are litter trained they will only make it in the pan 80% of the time if you are lucky. Its just how they are.

Second...ferrets need a lot of 'out-of-cage-time'. A lot of people will say 3 hours a day BUT that is just minimum. They should really be left to roam free in at least one room of the house the whole day. They can be locked up when you have to leave or are sleeping. Other then that, they should be out playing.

Third...you almost always have to end up purchasing a 2nd ferret. It really is better for a ferret emotionally and physically to have a buddy. A lot of times when a ferret is kept alone it will be confused and lonely. It would be the same concept if you were in a world filled with only ferrets and had no human contact...that would be crazy wouldn't it?

There are many other reasons that a ferret is not right for you and your child, however, the above should be enough for you to know that it just won't work out.

How about a bird or a hamster? I know they are not as interesting as a ferret, at least to me anyway...haha :), but they are probably better suited.

Answer 3

I own 5 ferrets. 2 cats. A guinea pig, and a bird.
The ferrets are no harder to take care of than anything else I own.
If you are planning on getting a ferret...get the LARGEST cage that you can afford. Ferret Depot.com have a great selection. The cage will run about 175.00. (and the bigger the better for when you get your next ferret) Most of your pet store ferrets are from Marshall farms, and they will be anywhere from 99.00-130.00.
Ferret needs: daily playtime, (outside of the cage)
toys, sleep sacks for the cage, food crocks, water bottle, and bedding for the bottom of the cage(litter)

I don't bother litter training my 5---I use a recycled paper (you can get it at Wal-mart for 3.00 a bag) I line the bottom of my cage with that and scoop it daily.
As far as the smell...if you clean the cage daily, and use a daily ferret spray on your fuzzy, there will be hardly any smell.
Also, do not bathe them too often, or that will produce more skin oils(that will smell).
Bathing needs to happen about every 4 months.

Food: I have done alot of research on food over the years. I have found the best foods for ferrets is the 8in1 crunchy bites w/ 45% protein or the Zupreem. I actually mix them both.
Ferrets need a high protein/high fat, low fiber diet. NO CORN additives. That can cause blockages. Cat food is not good for them.

Average cost per year (ferret and cage included) will run you about 700-800 for the 1st year. (deduct the cage and ferret for the next year)

They are a joy to own, they sleep about 18 hours a day, and play really cute.

If you have any questions, please contact me [e-mail]

Answer 4

If you DON'T like cleaning up after a cat when it misses the box...DO NOT GET A FERRET ! When they have to go they will pick ANY corner and make a pile..
Ferrets can be a fun animal to have but they do have some strange quirks as well.. When loose in the house, I learned NOT to walk bare foot... toes are fair game.. They will play and sometimes it can be very rough (blood can be drawn, they have sharp teeth).
A Marshall Ferret will cost about $100.00 (depending on where it is purchased) NOTE: Marshall Ferrets have 2 dots in one of their ears, one for neuter and the other for descent ( the second dot is important !). Even descented, they have an odor.. some people do not like it.
Food: Try to feed it a quality Ferret food but they will also eat quality cat food (moist dry or canned).
Ferrets are a Weasel (Mustelidae) and should be treated AS A PREDATOR with other animals..birds and small rodents are fair game.
For Mustelidae information, you might like to look at this link:

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Mustelidae.html

Answer 5

ferrets can be trained but it takes a lot of work and patience
you dont neccesarily have to have experience with pets but you do have to experience with cleaning

ferrets can be put in cages ((reccommended)) or they can just be left to run around the house but that would ive them free range on bathrooms they will go wherever whenever they please

it might be best to potty train it using the cage first and then you can let them roam and they will come bak to the cage to use the bathroom..

you can get ferrets for around $120 plus the cost of food, cage, treats, toys litter box.... comes around $350

rescue ferrets cost about $40-$70 so you could do that

good luck with your first ferret ((if u get one)) and hope u have fun in the process

Answer 6

I am going to recommend getting a chinchilla. I own two and they are the greatest pets ever. You have to feed it(obviously) and give it water and hay(that's their snack). You also have to hold them or let them run in a ball(like a hamster, and take a dust bath(everything here you can read about in more detail at chincare.com).

Anyway, they are fantastic pets and are adorable! They can be expensive depending on where you get them, but so is a dog.

~Hope I helped,
Izzy

Answer 7

a ferret may cost allot because they like to chew on stuffs and if they chew on ur furniture then u would have to pay for that plus why would u let it runn around ur house nasty