Is a ferret right for me?

[lil_jo84]

Ok so i'm debating if I should get a ferret or not. I'm absolutely fascinated by these stunning animals and have always wanted to get one since my mum's passed away when I was younger. I've read quite a few care sheets and it's got me a bit worried.

I just worry that I may not be able to pay them enough attention as I work from 9-5 so would only get to play with them after work. Would this be enough social interaction for them or not. I would also consider getting two so that when i'm not in they would have some company, is this the right way to go or not.

Any help/advice from ferret keepers would be much appreciated

thanks in advance

[Fixx]

Originally Posted by lil_jo84

Ok so i'm debating if I should get a ferret or not. I'm absolutely fascinated by these stunning animals and have always wanted to get one since my mum's passed away when I was younger. I've read quite a few care sheets and it's got me a bit worried.

I just worry that I may not be able to pay them enough attention as I work from 9-5 so would only get to play with them after work. Would this be enough social interaction for them or not. I would also consider getting two so that when i'm not in they would have some company, is this the right way to go or not.

Any help/advice from ferret keepers would be much appreciated

thanks in advance

Yes, regardless of whether you are home 24/7 or only after work/weekends, getting two ferrets (or more) is a good idea.

[ferretman]

The season for kits is nearly over now. Kits can be a handful for 1st time owner aswell. So i would recomend going to a rescue and getting a pair of year olds as they will be tame settled ferrets. Am not saying u cant cope with kits but to someone who didnt no kits bite alot out of play and is often mistken for being nasty. Also id recomend if you get any ferret it should be spayed or neutered this stops all in season helth complications and makes them smell much much less. Also feed a good quailty ferret dry food but also given meat everyday. Never be tempted to give a ferret wet cat or dog food becauce it can cause dental problems. Also ferrets will eat raw bones aswell great for cleaning their teeth. The more you handle a ferret the more tamer it will become.

So i'd recommend looking into rescue ferrets for a first time owner. Or a pair of kits but be warned they are a handful.

Hope that helps. Pm me if you want more info.

[LoveForLizards]

Originally Posted by lil_jo84

Ok so i'm debating if I should get a ferret or not. I'm absolutely fascinated by these stunning animals and have always wanted to get one since my mum's passed away when I was younger. I've read quite a few care sheets and it's got me a bit worried.

I just worry that I may not be able to pay them enough attention as I work from 9-5 so would only get to play with them after work. Would this be enough social interaction for them or not. I would also consider getting two so that when i'm not in they would have some company, is this the right way to go or not.

Any help/advice from ferret keepers would be much appreciated

thanks in advance

Despite what people say, no matter how much time you spend with your ferrets it doesn't mean they shouldn't have another ferret. A human isn't a replacement for a companion ferret. And +1 on the kit thing, we never used to adopt out kits to first time owners, we would always recommend an older pair (12-18 months) of ferrets to a new owner.

[lil_jo84]

thanks for all the help, please keep it coming.

As for the type I would go for it would defo be rescues as i'm a big believer of giving older animals a second chance at a good life rather then buy a younger one. Specially when there are so manyy needing homes and a bit of loving. I'm also happy to hear that I would need at least a pair. My mum had 3 when I was a toddler but wasn't sure if that was just personal choice or not

[LoveForLizards]

The more the merrier.

But whether you had one or two to start of with, ferret math comes into play and soon enough you have more then you ever would imagine.

[Myo]

I don't have ferrets but a friend recently got two... all I can say is i would go to someone's house who has adults first so you know you can deal with the smell, they do pong. they didn't smell when they were small but 2 months later they proper stink.

[LoveForLizards]

Originally Posted by Myo

I don't have ferrets but a friend recently got two... all I can say is i would go to someone's house who has adults first so you know you can deal with the smell, they do pong. they didn't smell when they were small but 2 months later they proper stink.

A ferret that is looked after properly and has good food wont stink. FACT.

[juliemac]

Originally Posted by LoveForLizards

A ferret that is looked after properly and has good food wont stink. FACT.

I totally agree, I have 2 males who will be old enough to neuter next month and they definately don't smell even though they are due to be neutered. As long as you feed them a good diet and keep their housing clean then they definately don't smell.

I originally had one kit and decided to get another one when he was 12 weeks old, it was the best decision I made, they would be lost without each other. I'm in the process of trying to persuade my other half to let me get another one, but this one would be from a rescue so that he/she would already be neutered.

[Rum_Kitty]

Gotta say I disagree on the smell count! I have five jills and we clean the litter tray before work, after work and before bed, and whenever we are around to pick up stray poops, but they still stink IMO! When you pick up a ferret you can smell them on you after, and this doesn't just go for my ferrets but every ferret I have met and held. Granted I do feed them a dry diet because BARF isn't possible due to my tiny freezer, but I do feed them on the best quality ferret foods. You very much get used to the smell, in fact you grow to love the odour, but anyone coming into the house instantly will smell it!

Maybe I just have especially stinky weasels! Maybe I have skunks dressed up as ferrets lol.

Aside from the smell factor, if you are up for the work, ferrets are amazing little pets. They sleep a lot but as long and as you can give them your full attention when you get home from work they will be great...always have at least two though. It can also help if you can spare an entire room for them to play in if you keep them indoors, the room pretty much has to be specifically for them because ferrets are prone to A: getting into trouble and hurting themselves on your stuff, and B: Trashing your stuff . If you can spare a room for them you would pretty much need to be there for them to let them run around all evening though.

A lot of people underestimate the amount of work they are, I read every book going, joined a forum, met other peoples ferrets and I was still surprised by the amount of attention they need, but as long as you are up for the time commitments, you wont be disappointed in them as pets! Also bear in mind they can cost quite a bit to treat at the vets, especially for emergency treatment. Spaying for female ferrets is necessary (they can become very ill if not bred or spayed) and in my local area it costs 90 per ferret...although I hear this is on the high end, 60 seems normal elsewhere in the UK. Take your time out to find a ferret experienced vet before you get them too. They are wonderful, all the love of a dog or cat with the playfulness of a kitten in the neat body of a smaller pet. They are ker-azy though. THey live to make you laugh and they do the most ridiculous things. If you have yet to see the weasel war-dance you are in for a treat!