Ferret Question!?

Question

I was thinking about adopting a ferret But everyone says their always nasty and how they bite ppl but when i read books about them they say how their so nice..... Which Is true? are they nice or our they Mean?

Answer 1

My husband has had two ferrets. They were both very nice. They didn't bite and they played and got along well with our cats.

However, I cannot recommend them as pets because they are really stinky (especially the males) and they are some of the most annoying creatures on earth. When you let them out to play, they get into ~everything~! If you have any kind of bag sitting on the floor, they go psycho trying to get into it. I had a childhood friend who had one and it somehow got inside their walls and the owners had to bash holes in the walls to get it out. They can get into the tiniest spaces. And they poop while they're back there and it's impossible to clean.

Get yourself a nice cuddly kitty cat.

Answer 2

Ferrets can be mean if they are not raised properly. I had a very nasty ferret that I adopted from someone. She would go out of her way to bite people. One time I put my hand in her cage and she latched on and wouldn't let go. She bit me about 5 times, I was on antibiotics for a week. I was inexperienced with ferrets at that time and the vet advised I put her to sleep since she was aggressive.(defiantly something I would never do again)

I also have 4 other ferrets that are great, sweet as pie. They have never intentionally bit anyone. Sometimes when they are playing or trying to get attention they will give a bite. I currently have a 2 year old that was a bad biter when I first got her, but I was able to train her and get her problem under control. She still, on occasion bites(not playful bites), but they are far less often.

Every ferret has their own personality. Adopting an older ferret is a good idea. Their personality is usually set, and if they are from a rescue, the rescue people usually know about their temperments.

Answer 3

It depends on the individual ferret. You can have sweet ones that listen well and love you, and you can have ones that will constantly bite you, and not like you at all. I have owned/cared for both.
With proper training (discipline when biting), most, but not all, will quit biting. Some may never want to bite at all.

Make sure you have enough time for the ferret and you ferret-proof your home first- anything with a hole over 1.5 inches they can crawl in to- check under cabinets, in vents, in the walls, etc. They need an enclosure when you are not watching them because ferrets can get into trouble, even in a ferret proof home. I suggest the ferret nation cage line- they are awesome.
Ferrets need at least 3-4 hrs miniumum social time a day. If they do not get that, they are more liable to start biting and become meaner.
Any questions, feel free to ask

Answer 4

Like any animal, the more contact they have the calmer and more used to people they get. Young ferrets especially are nippers--they bite each other but it doesn't hurt (their skin is pretty non-sensitive) so they figure biting people doesn't hurt--you have to train them not to bite. Scruff them, say 'no' and put them down and ignore them. The ignoring part is hard on them, but they know cause and effect.

They can be very sweet, but they're not cats and dogs--they're hyperactive 2 year olds on speed, that's the best description of a ferret.

Check out the YouTube videos for how ferrets move and play.

Answer 5

Like any animal individuals are going to differ in personality and temperament, but I have yet to meet a ferret who was truly "nasty". Some younger ferrets can be bitey but they don't do it out of malice, they are trying to be playful. It does tend to hurt when they bite because a ferret's skin is thicker than a human's so they don't realize they are hurting us. But that behavior can be trained out of them.

It depends like I said. Some people just don't like ferrets and those are usually the ones who will say they are "nasty" and all. Kind of like how some people don't like cats or dogs for various reasons...one bad experience with a certain species and they develop a prejudice against all members of that animal group.

When it comes to ferrets though basically cross a dog and a cat and you have what a ferret's personality is like.

Answer 6

My husband and I have a ferret and she's a sweetheart! I don't know why people say that they're nasty because they aren't. You do have to keep them clean though or they start to stink...mostly you just have to keep their cage clean and, clean out the little box usually once a week. They also need to be bathed about once a month.

Ferrets are really sweet and funny animals. I love my ferret, and as long as you don't mind all the work that goes into keeping one, I'm sure you'll love having one too.

Answer 7

I just brought my sons ferret home from his dad's house. First time I have been around them.

She is a sweety and a goof! What a cool animal. She plays and she play bites but NEVER bites hard, shes hilarious.

I'm sure there can be mean ones in the bunch, but there definately are cool ones.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Im sure that there are a few nasty apples in the bunch, but im sure they can be trained. As for mine, they NEVER bite. If you look at adopting at a shelter, its often better as they know quite a bit of history, and can tell you if they may bite or not. Kits I hear can nip a little at first also. Go to www.petfinder.com and look at a local shelter. That will be your best bet. Most are very very sweet!

Answer 9

they can bite but they can also learn what NO! means, you just have to work with them, i love ferrets my pre vet class has 2 of them and they are everyone's favorite, they love to play and love to get into trouble!