Does anyone know anything about Pet Ferrets or Chinchillas?

Question

I posted this question about Ferrets in the Reptiles area, lol, I'm reposting it.

But this time I want to know about Chinchilla's as well.
About ferrets:

Do they always smell bad? If not, how expensive to remove the smell?
How do you bathe them?
What do you feed them?
Are they costly?
Do they bite, generally, or not?
Are they good companions?
What do I need to provide them with?
and etc.


As for chinchillas:

How much are they?
How much room to they need?
What kind of food do I feed them?
How do you bathe them?
Can they live in the city?
Are they alot like hamsters?
Are they okay to be left alone? How long if so?

and for both of them:

How big of an area do they need to be in?
Are they dangerous, if bitten by one?

etc.

THanks much!

Dani-Girl

also, how big do they both generally get?

Answer 1

Ferrets:
Yes they do smell even though they are usually demusked.
They eat a special ferret diet found at most pet stores. Dry food mostly, but you can opt to feed them wet food as well (like dog and cat food, but made for ferrets)
Yes they do cost a bit . . . usually just over $100
IF they are raised right and socialized they generally do NOT bite, but they may nibble like puppy or kitten.
They need a big cage with lots of climbing areas and hidey sleepy places. Chew toys and other things to keep them stimulated are a must.
They like to "steal" stuff and hide it, so it's a good idea to make an extra set of keys and hide them.


Chinchillas:
They gray ones usually cost about $120 but the fancier colors can range from $150-200 or more.
They love to jump, so get a cage that is high enough to put a lot of shelves. I would suggest a cage that is at least 30" long if it's taller than it is long. (Petsmart has a great chinchilla starter kit -- good size for one -- for about $75 on sale right now http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752703&cp=2767038.2769317&pg=3&fbn=Taxonomy%7CHabitats+%26+Cages&fbc=1&clickid=topnav_dropdown6_link6&parentPage=family&keepsr=1)
You don't bathe them, they take "dust baths" at least once a week to keep their coat soft and clean. Have an open space (a kitty litter box works well) and fill the bottom with chinchilla dust (found at pet stores) and you'll see them roll around. It's fun to watch and they love to do it.
I'm not sure about the city laws; I think it's more up to your landlord if you rent.
They are NOTHING like hamsters besides living in a cage. They love social interaction and rarely bite. They will make a clicking sound and stand up on their hind legs if they're scared.
They need to spend time out of their cage everyday. . . at least an hour or two. Even if you can spend a lot of time with them, it's good for them to have a buddy.

Good luck on your decision and please don't commit to adopting an animal if you can't afford it or don't have the time to take care of it. Thanks!

Answer 2

Ferret's smell are very control-able If you get one from Marshals it should have it's odor sack removed making it far less stinky. You take your ferrets once every 6 months to the vet to be bathed and have their nails clipped. You feed them Marshal's diet dry food but NEVER feed them vegetables. They can't digest the minerals and they might die. Pet store ferrets are around 150$ chinchillas around 320$. They do bite but softly unless they have been abused or harmed. Males bite more than females. These bites are soft and won't hurt. there is also spay used to discourage biting. My ferrets are great companions they sleep on your lap they are so exited when you get home and are empathic. They will cry when you are sick they cry for You. You need a gage two or three beds as they love bed hopping, a food dish and water bottle not a dish they will swim in it. They can be self- reliant but play with them daily if not just let them run around your room. Cover holes and small spaces with a towel. They will not piece the skin if bitten so they are not at all dangerous. I don't own a chinchilla but I wouldn't get one.

Answer 3

As for chinchillas:

How much are they? ----between 120-180 dollars for the chinchilla and between 100-400 for the entire setup.

How much room to they need? if you get a two story cage that is best because they have room to run around. but it is good to have a room that has a door and no holes in the wall to let them run around...supervised.

What kind of food do I feed them? chinchilla pellets....and timothy hay...snacks are raisins, and other fruits and nuts.

How do you bathe them? they bathe in dust and can't get wet. you put some dust is a bowl and they will roll around in it to clean themselves.

Can they live in the city? as long as you have space for the cage and it is quiet in the area they are. they are nocturnal so they will play at night and sleep during the day

Are they alot like hamsters? no....they don't smell....they don't often bit..unless they are young and teething....and they are so sweet.

Are they okay to be left alone? How long if so? as long as they have a good amount of food and timothy...a full water bottle and some toys to chew on.....you can leave them for 2-4 days depending on how quickly they eat and drink...but they are low maintenance for someone else to take care of.


and for both of them:

How big of an area do they need to be in? the area of the cage is fine as long as you takew them out to play....don't put them close to the wall or chairs because they will chew it.

Are they dangerous, if bitten by one? no not dangerous, but it can hurt. as long as you wash it and put cream and a bandage...just to keep it clean you should be fine.

ferrets are good pets but very high maintanance.

Answer 4

How much are they? anywhere from $80-$250.
How much room to they need? At least a 3 story cage, they like to jump and run around.
What kind of food do I feed them? A chinchilla diet needs pellets, timothy hay and they can have treats such as rasins but no more than 2 a day because they have sensitive stomachs.
How do you bathe them? They take dust baths. dont ever get them wet!!
Can they live in the city? Yes, but they cant sweat so they have to live in cool places, they cant survive in temp. higher then 78' F.
Are they alot like hamsters? Not really. They rarely bite unless afraid, startled, or dont like you. Then need at least 2 hours of play time out of there cage a day. They need clean water ever day and they like being held but some perfer to climb on you. mine always sits on my shoulder or head.
Are they okay to be left alone? How long if so? Yes, but depending on where at. I dont leave mine alone at home any longer then just one day. Also they like having a partner if you dont give them as much attention as they need.

Also if your gonna get one you need to do a lot of reasearch, chinchillas are a big deal but worth it!!!

Answer 5

chinchillas

they are about $100

they need a decent sized cage like one for a rabbit prolly about 2 feet by 1.5 feet

they eat raisains,yogurt drops,and pellets made for chinchillas

they have a special dust to bathe themselves in they dont like to be in water

yes they can live inside anywhere they can only go outside if it is 65 to 69 degrees

they are different then hamsters chinchillas can be let run around a room if you "chinchilla proof" the room by covering up holes watching electrical wires andcover up spaces like between the dresser and wall

they can be left alone for a long time i go to school and 7 hours later he is ok in his cage he needs food and water obviously

chinchillas are ok to be bitten by and a plus for chinchillas they can live up to 10 years and they can not get fleas because they have to much hair

Answer 6

Ferrets SMELL, even if you bathe them. The poop in corners of the house, and dig and destroy things. They cannot see well and if they get too far from the litterbox, they poop anywhere.
They are prone to cancer, and only live about 5 years.
They can bite hard!!!
They can eat ferret or cat food and need vaccines like cats and dogs.
Most come descented, but they STILL smell. They are usually about $150 and are spayed/neutered and descented.