Ferrets

[ummmm]

Does anyone have one? My boyfriend wants to get one. Do they make good pets??

[Velvetee]

Well years ago, my neighbours had some, but used them for rabbit hunting. I suppose they are an acquired taste, as far as being a pet is concerned. They always look quite wriggly to me.

[Schutzengel]

ummmm - You could ask Sheribee, as she has some, including one who is due to have kits. I think ferrets are lovely, but they are usually used as working ferrets, but can be kept as pets. But beware they have very sharp teeth, and are not inclined to let go if they bite your finger. Anyone acquiring a ferret needs to be shown exactly how to handle it to avoid getting bitten. I'm sure Sheribee won't mind you asking. Schutz.

[ummmm]

Thank you Schutzengel. He used to have one years ago but as I'm the one at home it would be responsibility to look after it/them.

I will have a look out for her.....

[Schutzengel]

ummmm - I shouldn't worry too much about having to look after it/them, as they only need feeding and their water bottles kept filled up. Their house is one half play area, and one half sleeping area, which needs cleaning once a week, so it won't be a problem for your boyfriend to look after it/them. And you can just have the pleasure of looking at them, or stroking them if they become very tame. Schutz.

[ummmm]

My kind of pet then :-)

[quizman2024]

As long as you get a neutered ferret from a ferret rescue you should be ok. They should be able to let you handle them & ask questions and see how they are meant to be looked after properly. The only thing that is better than one ferret as a pet are two ferrets as pets!

[quizman2024]

Excuse me Schutzengel but what goes in one end of a ferret comes out the other about 4 hours later - they have a short digestive tract you see- so cleaning the ferret out once a week is not an option!
Also ferrets are like puppies they love to play and interact with humans so keeping them in a cage without letting them out to play is not an option either.
It would be similar to keeping a puppy in a cage - not good.
Ferrets make brilliant pets. But you have to research and go and see them first.

[Schutzengel]

Quizman. That information given to ummmm was only a very brief description of working and pet ferrets, as the boyfriend had ferrets previously, and intended to be the owner, so presumably would know what was necessary. The play times outside of the housing was not discussed, and I am well aware of the necessity of a secure outdoor area, with tunnels and other play activities. Ferrets do not as a rule, in common with other animals, soil their sleeping area, it was the bedding I was referring to. I do agree with you that if ferrets are to be kept purely as pets, then neutered rescues are obviously the best choice.

[sheribee]

hi xxx I have 2 ferrets, one jill and a hob, had them now for a year and have loved every moment.
You are much better off with 2 ferrets, as they will keep each other company when ur not there to play, they need lots of human company to stay tame but also to keep them happy and keep boredom at bay.
If you get 2 then you should get both neutered or you will end up with what i have had recently, smokey constantly bonking neave, which makes the jill very distressed and having to seperate them, also the female comes into season many times a year, she must be mated or she will develop anemia, go into a coma and die! Or she could have the jill jab, but its more cost effective in the long term to spay her.
My ferrets live indoors in winter and outdoors in warmer months, i clean out their cages every week, but clear the poop out daily, they go in one place so i put in a litter tray designed for ferrets and they use that, much easier.
They like hammocks to sleep in, we just give them old jumpers and hang them from the top of the cage and change them every couple of weeks.
You can get ferrets from rescue centres, i got mine from kits as they dont hurt as much when they bite then, and get used to you and being handled from an early age, they key is not to give them a chance to bite, keep a good hold of them and keep fingers away from the face, but like i say kits are easier to tame as less bad habbits, and rescue ferrets will come with emotional problems.
all they wanna do is PLAY, i let mine out in my house 2x daily and play with them both, its soooo funny and much better than tv!
Make sure they have a good quality ferret food, not cat foods, as they need more protein as they have fast digestive systems.
Im happy to help u with any questions if i kno the answers x But YES YES YES they make amazing pets, and dont smell bad if you give them clean bedding regular! I love mine and would never be without ferrets in my life!!

[lankeela]

I'm glad you mentioned the smell, we frequently have a stall at game fairs next to Cambridge Ferret Welfare, and the smell is horrendous. If you pick one up to cuddle (which is hard not to do as they are so cute) then you cannot get rid of the smell from your clothes until you actually wash them. Your hands smell and my dogs go potty when they smell them. You can also smell them from quite a distance.

I am sure if they are kept clean and as indoor pets then they probably don't smell as much, but you should be aware that they can.

[sheribee]

yeah they can smelly musky, especially when they are in heat, a male can be discusting! I kno, he lives in my dining room lol x but spaying and neutering will help with this too, i cuddle mine and smell of ferret when i put them away, i just change my top and wash my hands, i bath mine once a month, no more as you can wash away their protective oils and dry out their skin.
Another thing i forgot is they get fleas easily, but this is treated simply buy getting treatment from the vets and used monthly just as you would a cat.
Back to the small, i never smell them in my house anymore, other people come in and visit say they can, but to be honest i dont really care, its my house and my pets come first, and the love and pleasure i get from my 2 nutters are worth every whiff x and it really isnt that bad, as long as you look after them , clean them and their bedding.

[puddicat]

They blinkin stink!!

[sheribee]

they soooo dont stink!! why does everyone think this, they only stink if you dont look after them properly. They just have a musky small, dogs smell so much worse!!!

[Ice.Maiden]

I don't like them, but ferrets can make very good pets. They ARE clean in their habits, and can be very intelligent, but they need to be handled from being young. Their bites are ferocious. They could take your finger off in one go.

[Schutzengel]

Hi Sheribee. I hope you didn't mind me recommending you to ummmm, and I' so glad you did come on this thread with your up-to-date knowledge of pet ferrets. Hope all is going well with your house problem. Best wishes. Schutz.

[ummmm]

Thank you all. I have researched a bit about them and BF knows a bit. That was years ago though so he needs a refresher. I don't mind looking after them and playing with them day to day.

Do they have special ferret cages then?

[tamborine]

Best to keep them in outdoor shed as they do make their home smell like a urinal. They make lovely pets, playful, comical & clean; the smell keeps rats at bay. They can birth 2 litters pa with up to 6kits. Skinned dead ones - lovely fur!

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/angela.cutler/fuz z/

[sheribee]

Mine are in a large rat cage indoors, and an adapted chicken house and run in the garden, but go on ebay and type in ferret houses then there will be loads. Lots of tunnels/tubes made from whatever you can find will make great playthings x
Course i dont mind being recomended to anyone, just glad i could help x house move is on for 13th woohoo!!

[ummmm]

Cheers.....Just had a look.

They are cute :-)

[Schutzengel]

Hi Sheribee. Glad your house move is getting sorted. It will be a lot of work, what with getting the animals moved as well as the house contents. Hope all goes well. Wish you happiness in your new home. Schutz.