Thinking of a ferret?

Question

I'm just wondering how big a cage I should get them, how many I should get and what sexes etc.

And can they be kept in rabbit hutches?

Answer 1

Young ferrets love space and become bored very quickly in cages. If you need to get a cage get a large one without a mesh bottom. The mesh is harsh on their feet, and hard for them to walk on. If you can afford to, ferret-proof a spare room in your home for them to enjoy freedom and exercise during the day, and rearrange it often to keep them interested. Because they're very social mammals that are at risk of developing many health issues, 3 is a good number to begin with in case there's a loss later on. They'll love the company, and it will help socialize them if you decide to add on to your ferret family in the future. A healthy ferret can live up to 8 years (even longer!) and will require a bit of money for vet visits if he gets ill, as well as a long-term commitment of love and attention as they're easily depressed. In my experience I've found that males are less aggressive and more loving in the long run, and less picky about litter training (although that may vary from person to person!).

They do bite when they're kits, but don't let that stop you from handling them. A well handled kit easily breaks the biting habit and turns into a kissy ferret within weeks (regardless of where it's from). It's just a teething phase that all mammal babies go through and it will pass. I suggest you don't tap the ferret on the nose as it can provoke more aggressive behaviour (tapping can also hurt his nose!), and don't try to distract/treat them with human food as plant proteins are very hard for them to digest and can cause serious health related problems later on. With my youngest all we did was cover our hands in our sweater sleeves and hugged and played with him until he grew out of his nipping phase.... now he's one of the most loving boys ever and curls up by my feet at night. =)

As for rabbit hutches: Ferrets are smart and can easily weasel their way out of pens that aren't designed to hold them. They also shouldn't be kept outside because fleas and ticks pose as a serious health threat to them. Flea infestations can easily cause an anemic ferret.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Generally, 2 is a good number to start. It really doesn't matter on sex because the ones at pet stores are already fixed. I think you have to have a license to breed them. It's very time-intensive to breed them. I had 2 males before. They had a 3 level cage I bought at Petco. They will sleep 12-16 hours out of every 24, but when they are active, they need loads of attention. They will dig into potted plants and get into any tiny hole or crack that you may not think they could get into. They also need to be taught right away that biting is not an ok behavior. Litter box training takes a lot of time as well. They are great pets if you have the time and patience. Good luck :-)

Answer 3

I had 2 ferrets and they need at least 2 story cage, They like to hide everything. They are fun and smell really bad you will need to clean the cage about everyday if you dont the room thats it is in will start to smell. Just watch out i had to put both of my down B/c they had cancer, The vet told us that it is common in ferrets thats the only reason why i have not got another one. Just make sure you can handle them and that you take them to the vet to make sure your doent get Cancer. They are great animals.
Good luck

Answer 4

You should buy them like a little bigger than a rabbit cage they need a lot of room. They also need lots of love. If u just got the ferret you need to show it lots of love so it gets to know u. U should get it lots of food. U need to feed it many times a day. Buy a walking leach because they do need a walk.

Answer 5

ferrets are very mischievous little creatures and are excellent escape artists. i recommend at least a 2 tier cage where they can climb (it's great exercise), but i ferret-proofed an entire room after they were litter trained and let them run wild all day/night. i had a lone ferret for the first year and with lots of love and attention he did very well, but i recommend at least 2 so they can keep one another company and be less dependent on you.

Answer 6

the lady on television lets them out of the cage for 12 hours. then in the cage for 12 hours.... females seem less rambunxious, but ive seen male and female in same cages.

Answer 7

my mom would let hers run loose in the house. she trained it to the use the cats litter box.

You might make an animal like that very mean by putting it in a cage. Ferrets have 38 teeth and they can bite. They have the ability to sense where the softest skin is too for them to bite into.

I wouldn't cage it and expect it to be friendly. If you can get one when its a baby, you can train it. Anytime it bites, tap it on its nose and say "no". They have a short life span also. They like to push things down stairs. They like to rip the insoles out of shoes. They like to make a nest out of underwear and hide things in it. If you make one mad, it will climb up into your bed at nite and bite you.
They sleep during the day mostly and are very active at nite.

Heh, I wouldn't get one unless you can handle that sort of thing.
Good Luck! :)

Answer 8

get one and make sure its very young. also make sure its a marshal ferret(it will have papers) and two small dots on back of ear (tattoo confirming its a marshal ferret, which has less of a temper) and i would get a big cage 3x4 or bigger with two stories and a hammock.

Answer 9

pretty much every thing you need to know is right here

http://www.animalworldnetwork.com/baboutferretsb.html

from my experience you need to bath them at least 1 time a week or they smell very bad.

i had an albino.

Answer 10

cool i always wanted a ferret
they r so cute and fun