Ferrets

[wolfsoul]

I'm considering getting a ferret one day. I was wondering if someone who has one or knows about them might be able to tell me a bit about them. I'm researching as much as I can, but it's surprising the lack of good sites I can find. I'm also wondering what kind of foods are bad for them.

Thanks in advance!

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I don't know much about Ferrets...but I know they're illegal to own in California. Some people purchase them in Las Vegas, and then "smuggle" them back to CA.

I've heard they make wonderful pets, and they're a blast to have. I'll do a search for you!

[Amber]

My moms friend has a ferrert. She says they are a hand full. She said its always getting into somthing, and you cant turn your eyes away from it or it will be in somthing. she says hers likes to get into the kitchen cupboards. hehe but, on other hand they are very cuddly and playful. Always making you laugh.

oh yeah, you have to get them vaccinated just like puppys and kittens. and they can also be spay and neutered

[wolfsoul]

Thanks guys!

I definatly know how to handle a handful hehe. Frisco is a little mischief maker. I also have a nice big cage.

[Amber]

hehehe, They also can be litter trained...((I think))

[trayi52]

I have a ferret. She is just the sweetest little thing. She gets along great with all my dogs and cats. I let her run around in the living room most of the time. Her name is Baby. I have a few pictures of her and one of her with my Rottweiler. They play very well together, of course they grew up together. I think she is about 2 or 3 years old.

But here is one Picture of her: (hope it will post)


Baby and Dana playing together:


She really belongs to my daughter. So I don't know if my daughter is planning on taking her with her when she gets married or not. She says she is..

Willie

[wolfsoul]

Awww, how adorable! What kind of food do you feed her? She's so cute. I really like the picture of her and Dana.

[trayi52]

I can't remember the name of the food, it is especially for Ferrets though. She does like to sneak into the dogs and the cats food too. She is very sweet, if you ask for kisses, she gives kisses. She will sleep in your lap. She is funny to watch.

She used to love playing with Grover, but now Grover hides from her because she gets too rough for Grover. And Grover is bigger than her!

Me thinks Grover is a wuss...

[micki76]

Originally posted by trayi52
Me thinks Grover is a wuss...

Nope, he's not a wuss at all. Ferrets have much thicker skin and when they're kits they learn to play a lot rougher than kitties and other pets are used to. In other words, they bite very hard when they play.

Having said that, I will have another ferret one day. I prefer females because they're smaller and IMO tend to be more affectionate. My males had very little to do with me.

Ferrets are little thieves and can be a ton of fun and entertainment, but they are a lot of work, too. They can be litter trained quite easily since they poop as soon as they wake and will go to the nearest corner to do so. They back they're hind ends up very high to go, so a special litter box is required. I find that they are happier with at least one other ferret in the family to play with.

They should definitely be spayed or neutered for their health.

[trayi52]

You are so right Micki, I think it looks funny when they back up to do their job. Baby likes to steal hairbrushes. So there are times when I really have to seach to be able to find my hairbrush.
She takes her nap in the couch.

You are right about the females being smaller.

You can't get one around here that hasn't been spayed or neutered. I don't know whether it is the law or what. Baby was a baby when my husband brought her home to my daughter. And yes they are a lot of work! They have a certain smell that isn't too pleasant if they don't have their bath. Luckily Baby likes having a bath and feels really perky after she has had a bath.

Yes Grover is a wuss.. , but she is my sweet little wuss!

[wolfsoul]

Thanks for all of the info!

[lv4dogs]

Ive got ferrets, im down to 3 at the moment. They are a handful & expensive! I reccomend buying the book "ferrets for dummies" it is a MUST have for all ferret owners.

There is so much info to learn about these mishivious creatures it is unbelievable. here is just a summary that doesnt even touch the tip of the iceberg.

They are carnivores only they CAN NOT process any non-meat foods at all. They get into EVERYTHING and there intestines are only about the size of a straw so if they get into any foreign objects (which is very common) they almost always end up w/ blockages also caused by non-meat foods (they also can not vomit hairballs so a hairball med is needed frequently) they can also get blockages very easily from hairballs.

they are also known to have adrenal problems which requires surgery. They have to have rabies & canine distemper shots & they NEVER recover from distemper should they ever get it. They can catch some human diseases & illnesses so if your sick stay away from your ferrets.

should they become ill they can deteriorate RAPIDLY, you could have a dead ferret within a day or 2 after being sick. they become dehydrated very rapidly so keep pedalyte on hand & most owners should know how to & have the equipment from the vets on hand at all times to administer sub-q fluids,

They eat a lot & drink a lot so they poop a lot & no fereet is 100% litter box trained, so be prepared to clean up lots of little messes.

there are many ferret foods out there but only some are good, you can also feed a very very good quality KITTEN food but all ferret owners reccomend mixing at least 3 foods, as they are very picky eaters & this gives you another food to feed should your one type be unavailable. I feed a mixture of:
Zupreem
Sheperd & Green
Totally Ferret
Maximum Nutrition for kittens (yup the walmart brand)
Felidae

I also make a concontion of duck soup (includes special canned food from my vet, cooked chicken & broth, kibble, water etc.) this is NEEDED in case your ferret becomes ill, it has tons of nutrients in it BUT you should feed this everyday because again ferrets are picky eaters, if you wait until your ferret is ill he may not take to it & it may be too late.

They sleep a lot (about 18 hours a day) but when they are awake they need excersize & lots of it. they can fit through any opening that their head can (although sometimes they can get stuck 1/2 way whixh can be dangerous) but you have to ferret proof your house (which is hard to do)

finding a vet that is ferret knowledgable can be difficult so make sure youve got one before you get your ferret.

they are social creatures & it is best to have at least 3. they love to be together & can become so severly depressed if they loose a friend that can actually die from depression. Thats why you should have 3, in case you loose one your fert can still have a friend.

I would make sure youve got at least $600.00 or more saved up before you get your ferret. plus make sure youve got back up money or a good vet with payment options in case you require medial care.

I am not talking you out of owning a ferret, they are great pets but they are a handful & tons are in shelters due to the lack of knowledge on them. My ferrets are more expensive & time consuming than my dogs!!!!!

here is a great forum about ferts:
http://www.neeps.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi

i'm chaotic chaos on there!
hope to see you around there!

[lv4dogs]

I forgot to add that most sold at pet stores in the us are neutered/spayed but if for some reason you get one from a breeder or one that is not spayed, a female ferret will die if she is not spayed or breed. That is a must do!

[Aspen and Misty]

I told my friend that I was afreid of ferrets, she made me come over to her house and play with hers and I have to admit I'm hooked!!! LOL. They are such SWEET lil critters, hers were females, just lovly little girls! They gave kisses and played with me, and they LOVED to be held like babies (probly cause she did it since they were babies). I have to admit before I didn't even want to hold one and now I don't want to put one down! I could definitly see myself owning one, one day.

Good Luck! I hope you find all the info you need. Sorry to add my story but I just HAD to

Ash

[tikeyas_mom]

they need big cages jordan, if you arnt going to have a house ferret, which you arnt because tikeya would give it a heart attack, then you should have a HUGE cage like one for a chinchilla.. or bigger. ..
Good luck with your research. .