Can we have a cat and a ferret?

Question

We have a 10 year old chubby indoor cat that is declawed and my wife and daughter want to get a ferret. Will the ferret go after, and possible hurt or kill our cat?

Answer 1

The ferret will make a kamakazi barrel run directly at the cat and try to climb up onto her, then dance around dooking with a bottle brush tail, then try it again.

Our cats went vertical, they found that was the ONLY way to get away from the ferret. No, the ferret won't usually bite at a cat at all, just wildly play, which is way too much activity for most cats to handle from a small creature like that which smells awful to them.

You'll have a pissed off cat. The ferret will take all the dry food and hide it behind the couch, tip over the water bowl if he can move it, and find every place in the house that you haven't ferret proofed inside of 15 seconds -- guaranteed. They're hyperactive 2 year olds on speed.

Check out YouTube for some cat/ferret interaction. I'd recommend joining a ferret board like pooflingers or yahoo ferrets, to get an idea of what you're letting yourself in for. My ferret (weighed all of 6 pounds) tipped over my 6' high ficus tree and spread the dirt across half the kitchen inside of 15 minutes while i was doing something in the bedroom. These things are fast, they're intelligent, they can't see worth a darn, and they are either continually moving or at a dead stop. They are NOT like a dog or cat, they're ferrets.

Answer 2

I have a ferret, a three year old cat and a six month old kitten. My cat didnt care about the ferret. But the kitten just loves the ferret. They play together, they lay down and take naps together. What I did was leave the ferret in the cage and just introduce the cat to the ferret through the cage. It worked great. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I have 2 cats and 2 ferrets and they all get along great. They play with each other, even occasionally eat out of the same dish. (the ferrets like the cat food.....) Usually cats and ferrets make great friends. Just start with a supervised playtime since it will be new for both (though I doubt the ferrets will be intimidated by the cat, the little buggers seem to have no fear of anything).

Answer 4

A cat will always win against a ferret in a fight, but the animals have a very similar demeanor. I had a kitten and a ferret and they were best friends. They used to play and wrestle all the time, and the cat would always win by default just from the weight difference!

Of course, make sure your cat and your ferret happen to like each other....if they don't happen to get along, your ferret likely won't last too long.

Answer 5

I have 2 cats and a ferret. the ferret get supervised time out of the cage on a leash or in a ferret ball. mostly I wouldn't want him to get somewhere where we can't get to him if he is doing something he shouldn't. the ferret likes to run after our cats and play attack them. I am lucky to have lucked out with some very well mannered animals. never let them alone together untill you are 100% that they will be fine together.

Answer 6

They told me that when I got my ferret that they actually reccomend that if another ferret is not avilable for a playmate to get a cat. They make excellent playmates. We since have both and they chase eachother around the house like they were seperated at birth!!! My ferret even actually laughes (or giggles) at the cat. It is great fun!!! Enjoy it!!

I have to warn you though that ferrets are a BIG responsibility... make sure that your family is ready for it.

Answer 7

no, I have had 3 ferrets and they are fine with other animals. You do need to buy a cage for it though, you shouldn't keep it out all the time. And in the begining just make sure to surpervise play time.