Ferret owners....

....I am thinking about adopting a ferret for my son and I. However, I have never owned one. I have done lots of research on them. I have raised many animals with success but never a ferret. I raised two iguanas (one that I rescued and was almost dead) for about 8 years during my younger years. They had to go to the Indianapolis Zoo when I enlisted. My male was 6.5 ft and the female was just under 6 ft so they were very healthy. They were perfectly tame because of how much time I spent with them. The reason I tell you all of that is to show that I am able to take care of "high maintenance" animals. Just curious about other aspects of owning a ferret. My oldest son is 6 (who lives with me full time) and my youngest son is 3 (who I see every other weekend). I know they can smell if they are not descented or bathed regularly and I know they sleep alot but require a lot of "out of the cage" time. But, are they able to be like a cat or dog where they are just allowed to freely roam? (maybe put away while I am gone) Anything I should be asking or considering before I decide whether or not to get us a ferret? I am one of those people who want an animal for life....hate people who trade in animals the way they trade in a car. Once I have an animal...I want to keep it. Thanks guys!

My boy had 2 of them his whole house stunk . I wouldent do it they smell bad and they are dirty . I dont even go to his house .

Try a hampster , just dont let Santeen over .

I have been to a few places that have had them. A couple have smelled and a couple haven't. It depends on how often you clean their cage, bathe them and if they are descented.

Oh ok i guess he didnt clean them because they stink .

Yeah....they really do stink sometimes. They make a ton of stuff for keeping them for stinking...they have glands somewhat like skunks do. You can get one of the two glands removed IIRC and that will help as well.

I'm sitting two feet from our ferret right now and can't smell anything. All ferrets are descented before being sold in U.S. They need bath's and regular cage cleaning in order to not smell up your house. They have a strong musk when you hold them and play with them, but it never bothered me any. typically they only need one hour of free roam play a day as they are very hyper and will wear themselves out quickly. Our ferret is the smartest I've ever had and will actually return to her cage to go to the bathroom! Ferrets are very smart and have a wide range of personalitys. My 3.5 year old son loves his ferret and I always enjoy having them around.

REPOMAN1 said:

My boy had 2 of them his whole house stunk . I wouldent do it they smell bad and they are dirty . I dont even go to his house .

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sounds like santeens house, you gotta keep those midget rats in the basement!!!

only thing i know bout them is they can get into really small/tight places.

been three times over the years, that truckers have come in complainin bout their a/c or heater not workin & their ferrets had gotten into the a/c ducts & made their way to the blower motors & stopped air flow. one even got past the a/c unit & got stuck at the fresh air inlet. that was a hell of a job to get that furry focker out

all were rescued without injury:rock::rock::rock:

During the spring we sometimes leave the sliding glass door open for the dogs to come in and out. My wife called me from work panicking because there was a "squirrel with rabbies" eating out of the dogs food bowl in the kitchen. I come home to an evacuated house to find a ferret on my couch sleeping on his back. Guess a neighbor lost him. We did a lot of research bought cages, food and had vet do a workup and check our dogs. Clean bill of health.

The ferret stunk initially. But after grooming not an odor for 3 weeks till we found the home. Free roam while we were home and in same room. Dig burrow inside the couch and tore up some of my dogs toys but scared of nothing and played/chased the dogs back and forth through the house. The vet clipped its fangs preventing punctures in our fingers and dogs cheeks.

I would have one. Cedar chips in their bed is great for smell. Much smarter than any animal I've known.

All ferrets stink.

I have had three over the years. They really do not smell unless they were never d-gland. They are funny, cute, and sleep most of the day. I would have again but the wife did not care for them to much. They would steal her car keys and hide them.

Thanks guys for all the input.....think that makes up my mind....lol. Now just to find the "right" one to adopt.

my jack russell likes to chase and eat them...








actually... i don't know that... but he hates squirrels, gerbils, mice, rabbits, cats... he's caught a few cats in the yard, and a rabbit a little while ago... so i assume he would hate a ferret, too...

my jack russell likes to chase and eat them...








actually... i don't know that... but he hates squirrels, gerbils, mice, rabbits, cats... he's caught a few cats in the yard, and a rabbit a little while ago... so i assume he would hate a ferret, too...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9skwCaKpXE]"Ferret Legging" - YouTube[/ame]

:itsme:

I had one in wales about 30 yrs ago had to keep him outside phew, we used to go rabbiting with him. Stick him down the rabbit hole and put nets over the bolt holes. Rabbits would be comning out all over the place. Looking back I wouldnt do that anymore, but they did taste good.
You got to handle them a lot, I still have bites to prove it. When they bite you can loosen their jaw by squeezing just below their ears. They are smart though.:rock:

thewelshm

Well, here is Wyatt. He is two months old and a real sweetheart. He is a little musky but only when you hold him close. He will be getting a bath tonight. Only time I could get a decent pic of him was while he was calm and asleep. I will try to get a better pic tonight.

They all have different temperments. I have owned three so far at various times in my life, I always felt better when they were gone. It is no joke when they decide to bite. I had one that I threw over my shoulder and could shower with so smell was no issue. Had another that bit me every time I got near it????

Update: I am so glad I decided to go ahead and get Wyatt. He has such a great personality....has become a real part of the family. My son and him play all the time. A couple of recent photos: