Do ferrets make good pets? Being a ferret owner this is a question I have been asked many times. The answer is yes, ferrets make wonderful pets. Unfortunately not all people are cut out to be ferret owners. Owning a ferret is not like owning a hampster. They may be small but they are high maintenance animals that require alot of attention and supervision, and there are many things to take into consideration before making such a commitment. Following are 5 frequently asked questions to help you determine if a ferret is the right pet for you.
Do ferrets smell? This depends on certain things such as weather or not your floors are carpeted and how often you clean out your ferrets cage and litterboxes. Generally ferrets are alot like cats in that they don’t need baths to stay clean. They do have a natural smell which is exuded from their scent glands but most ferrets are descented at the same time they are neutered as babies, so this isn’t really the problem. I find the bigger problem can result from the litterbox if it is not cleaned properly, and some fish based ferret foods which have a strong smell.
There are herbal pills that you can give your ferrets that will remove the amonia smell from their urine, but I wouldn’t suggest doing this as any chemical you are putting into any living creature can have unforseen negative side affects. Just make sure to wash their blankets often, clean their litterboxes daily or twice daily (depending on how many ferrets you have) and vacuum under the sofa (ferrets will take food and hide it around the house so it is easy to develop an odor problem if you don’t clean thoroughly) Doing these simple things should stop any serious odor problem from building up.
How much time do you have to spend with your ferret? If you plan on owning only one ferret you will have to make ATLEAST an hour or two a day to play with him or her. Most ferret owners start out with one ferret then realize they are too busy to give their ferret all the time and affection it needs, so they end up getting more. Ferrets are much happier living in a group, so if you aren’t prepared for this possibility you probably shouldn’t get any ferrets.
Also, know that you can’t leave your ferret alone for days like you would with a houseful of cats. Ferrets are only awake about 4 hours a day, but when they are awake they are super charged and can really make a big mess as well as get into a lot of mischief. Someone should be there to make sure they are allowed out of their cage periodically throughout the day and supervise them while they’re playing. The ideal family for a ferret is one where someone is always at home.
Pages: 1 2
i think a ferrets would be a good pet
hey my sister actually has a ferret named gizmo and it bites our feet then laughs and run away im actually thinking about getting one. gizmo is about 8 months old and i was worried if i get another ferret can i put them in the same cage or seperate and how would i introduce them to each other i wana get a girl and gizmo is a boy gizmo is fixed so if you could help me i would love u for life
Hi. I’m about 12 years old. Is that a good age to call a ferret your own? What age should I buy a ferret at?
Josh – Sorry I took so long to answer. Most ferrets dont mind sharing a cage once they become bonded to one another, but you should always have a way to seperate them just incase they dont get along, cause sometimes it takes a week or so for them to bond. What I did is instead of buying a cage I converted my pantry into a room for them. My last ferret I brougt home Snoopy it took a while for the others to accept her. So I kept them seperated for a while and only let them have limited contact with one another. I don’t think you will have those kind of problems introducing a boy and girl. Mine were all girls so there was a power struggle, but those issues don’t really come up with ferrets of the opposite gender.
Carmen – it’s hard to answer that question, because not all 12 year olds are the same. It depends on how responsible you are, and also it depends on how much involvement your family is willing to have. I think if you do get a ferret your parents should first do some reading up on how to make the house safe for ferrets, because every member of the family will have to make some adjustments. Your parents will have to always know when your ferret is out of it’s cage. They will have to help keep the house free of dangerous furniture or appliances, and to monitor the room temperature and other conditions inside the house. The whole family has to be willing to participate in caring for the ferret otherwise it might be a better idea to wait till you are old enough to get your own apartment.
Hello, I’m thinking of getting a ferret, are they okay with dogs? My grandmother owns a little dog and he’s very nice and playful. But if I get a ferret he/she will always be in my room, I’m just wondering if my ferret will be okay with the dog. I really want a ferret. They are so adorable and amazing.
I’m just hoping my grandmother will let me have one. And what alll kinds of things shouls I buy my ferret?
Hello i want to buy a ferret I hav a sister who is 3 would that be bad? Also my family goes for 2 hr rides to stay at a house every weekend is that ok for the ferret?
@Symone Dogs and ferrets are a bad combination. Even a small dog can potentially do a lot of harm to a ferret. So I would not take that risk.
@Michaela I think small children are a menace to ferrets. They are too rough and careless when they play and they dont understand the danger posed to ferrets by ordinary household objects like appliances or doors.
we have a dog and one ferret and they get on likea house the dog is a cav and she lays on the ground while kids and elvis the ferret runs all over her .
we have 4 kids fromthe age 2 to 14 years old and they all are ok with the ferret we some times have trouble with the 6 year old but she had been told if he bites her then that her fault 2 year old is not allowed near him without one of us there