Ferrets?

[FG167]

Do you have them? Do you like them? Where did you get them? Problems? Any other info/advice. I'm on several ferret forums as well but thought I'd toss it out here and see what I get! Thanks in advance!

[Freestep]

I used to have them. Cute, affectionate, fun little creatures. Poop and pee everywhere and get into everything. You have to ferret-proof everything in your house if you let them out; they can squeeze through any space their head can fit, which is about an inch and a half in diameter. Loved mine, but I wouldn't get one again, unless I could devote an entire ferret-proof room for them to live in.

[FG167]

That's our goal actually - to have a ferret room - we have plenty of space to do so and I thought it would be eaiser. Yours did not litter train then?

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by FG167

That's our goal actually - to have a ferret room - we have plenty of space to do so and I thought it would be eaiser. Yours did not litter train then?

Oh, they went in their litter boxes... and everywhere else. You simply cannot watch them closely enough when they are running loose, they can back up and poop on something in half a second flat, before you have a chance to even start to say "NO!"

If I had a room for them, I'd get four of those high-backed corner boxes, put one in each corner of the room, and hope for the best. I'd never ever put them in any room with carpeting. Even if they don't poop and pee on it, they destroy it by digging, down to the backing. It's utterly amazing how much damage a little 2 pound animal can do!

You can't talk about ferrets without mentioning the smell. Even neutered, descented ferrets still have a musky odor. I personally like it, but it can make others gag. So you have to take that into account.

I do still do get wistful when I see (or smell) ferrets. They are so cute, and curious, and playful, like perpetual kittens. They are independent like cats but affectionate like dogs, and they have endearing personalities. The biggest worry I had when owning them was their safety, since they can get themselves into trouble by squeezing into spaces they shouldn't be... like the inside of the couch, or cabinets, or a tiny crack in the window (they can push windows open).

They will be perpetual landsharks if you let them. They bite each other very hard, so must be trained to understand bite inhibition.

[Liesje]

One of my friends (she moved into my college house, took over my part of the lease) has always had them. I don't really care for them one way or the other but I can't stand the smell, and despite what every ferret owner has told me, there is *always* a smell. It's not that it's a particularly bad smell, it's just one that I can't tolerate (like certain flavors of coffee).

[DanielleOttoMom]

They are adorable. My friend had three of them when I was younger. They stunk bad to me and they went in the litter box but also on the floor. Their urine was really strong to me...... worse than cat urine. They are not for me. I'm sure if you clean their house area/ cage daily maybe it would smell that bad. Are there reputable ferret breeders out there? What kind of health testing is there? Life span? I guess you have to check too that your vet does ferrets. Keep us updated love to see pics.

Had to ask are you looking into using your ferret in fly ball?!?! Lol!! Just couldn't resist. Could pass as winnie dog!

[Stevenzachsmom]

There are small animal rescues. I would go that route - at least my guinea pigs and rabbits were rescued. There are probably rescues that specialize in "just" ferrets, as well as those that have all kinds of small animals.

Never had ferrets, but I'm very partial to rabbits. Mine are speutered and litter pan trained. Live indoors in two story bunny abode condos. They also get free time outside of the condos.

[Freestep]

There is still a smell no matter how much you clean...yes, the urine is strong, and let me tell ya, those little guys poop CONSTANTLY. You'd have to scoop/change the litter every hour, on the hour, to keep it spotlessly clean. I usually cleaned the boxes three times a day, and could have done it more often.

[Konotashi]

I have 2. My boy I got from Petco when he was 4 months, and I got my girl about a year later from the shelter.

My girl is INSANE, while my male is a laid back chunky-monkey.

I clean their litter box every day (I use wood stove pellets for litter), wash all of their bedding once every week or two, and Tesla has only had 2 or 3 baths in his life, and Alice has never had once since I've had her.

Ferrets have very fast digestive tracts - every 3 to 4 hours, they poop. With a good litter, it will mask the smell long enough so it doesn't smell horrible by the end of the day litter cleaning. I love wood stove pellets - identical to Feline Pine (best odor absorber I've been able to find), and a 40 lb. bag is less than $7.

I feed them Merrick Before Grain chicken formula cat food. I did some hunting and a lot of cat foods are healthier for ferrets than ferret foods. Alice's coat changed dramatically (when I got her, she was wiry, but now she looks like a poofy white polar bear). Very little smell. I think the cat's box smells a million times worse than their cage.

[Stevenzachsmom]

Originally Posted by Konotashi

I have 2. My boy I got from Petco when he was 4 months, and I got my girl about a year later from the shelter.

My girl is INSANE, while my male is a laid back chunky-monkey.

I clean their litter box every day (I use wood stove pellets for litter), wash all of their bedding once every week or two, and Tesla has only had 2 or 3 baths in his life, and Alice has never had once since I've had her.

Ferrets have very fast digestive tracts - every 3 to 4 hours, they poop. With a good litter, it will mask the smell long enough so it doesn't smell horrible by the end of the day litter cleaning. I love wood stove pellets - identical to Feline Pine (best odor absorber I've been able to find), and a 40 lb. bag is less than $7.

I feed them Merrick Before Grain chicken formula cat food. I did some hunting and a lot of cat foods are healthier for ferrets than ferret foods. Alice's coat changed dramatically (when I got her, she was wiry, but now she looks like a poofy white polar bear). Very little smell. I think the cat's box smells a million times worse than their cage.

I've heard that too. Now post some pictures please.