Are ferrets good pets

Answer 1

A ferret is a good as it's owner, if they are treated properly with plenty of human interaction and socialization.Advise from other contributors:

• A weasel-like, mammal (Mustela putorius furo) related to the European polecat ferret often trained to hunt rats or rabbits. They make great pets, and are very funny.

• Ferrets come from the Mustelidae family including weasels polecats otters badgers NOTE: Skunks are no longer in the Mustelidae family. Skunks (Mephitinae), which were moved into a new family, Mephitidae, following DNA analysis. Ferrets are more directly related to the European polecat. Mustela (Latin for weasel) putorius (Latin meaning stink) furo (Latin furonem which means thief) translates into weasel-like stinky thief. The name ferret is derived from the Latin furittus, meaning "little thief"

• THE FERRET IS A DOMESTICATED VERSION OF THE EUROPEAN POLECAT. MUCH IN THE SAME WAY AS DOGS ARE A DOMESTICATED VERSION OF THE WOLF. THE FERRET IS NOT A WILD ANIMAL.

• Ferrets are good pet for people who are at home a lot, can give them a lot of attention, do not have small children at home, and has the money for proper care.

• They can make great pets for the right owner. They are highly intelligent, affectionate animals and bond to their owners, and there are few pets as playful as ferrets.

• Ferrets have lots of good points, but there are some negatives as well. They require a lot of time and attention. Ferrets are not caged animals "you cage them for their protection", they need to be out at least 4 hours a daily. Ferrets have slight musky scent, which bothers some people, and many of them aren't quite as good about litter pans. Children require supervision with ferrets.

• Ferret-proofing must be emphasized. Ferrets love to get into EVERYTHING, you need to make sure they can't hurt themselves or your possessions. They need consistent care and maintenance. If you're not willing to take the necessary time, a ferret may not be for you.

• YES ferrets are the best animals to have. Ferrets make you laugh. Do not get a ferret if you don't have the time, ferrets have to be out of their cage for at least 1 and a half hours a day. They need lots of love. Ferrets are good with children but you should never get a ferret just for a child. They are a very big commitment. Ferrets don't smell as bad as people say they do. Keep the cage clean, clean the poop out there cage at least 2 times a day. Ferrets are great pets but lots of people think differently. Ferrets do bite, you need to scruff them and say NO. BUT REMEMBER NEVER HIT YOUR FERRET

• Ferrets are wonderful and great and they can bring joy to the lives of all... I disagree and have to say they DO NOT make good pets. I will however wholeheartedly commit to the statement that they make wonderful FUR KIDS!

• The awesome responsibility of parenting a ferret should never be taken lightly. They require massive amounts of work, dedication, and commitment. I have been rescuing ferrets for some time and restricted placement to families where the ferrets are the primary concern for all parties involved.

• Far too often people get kits (aka baby ferrets) thinking that it will be "fun". Sure ferrets are fun, but in order to properly care for a ferret through the entire 5-7 year duration of its life, requires tremendous amounts of very hard work. Most ferrets need daily medical care in their tiny little 'golden years'. To take on a commitment of ferret parenthood without the dedication to do it proper is in no way "fun" for anyone... Specially not the ailing ferrets.

• Ferrets require much more care than a cat or dog.

• YES, YES, YES--I've raised over 20 and I just love them, but listen what the persons ahead of say. And read, read, and read before you ever make the commitment. I once had a couple bring me their ferret, brought everything including a book and do you know that they never even creased the cover. What a shame, they would have loved him if they kept him. He was a joy to have. Great site also, use to be a magazine that went on line: http://www.ferretsmagazine.com/ferrets/home.aspx

• Ferrets often require much attention and work. Imagine a tiny fuzzy ferret that can fit into exactly everywhere they should be. While they have easy going personalities for the most part they are also insistent. When they decide against something (like a certain litter box) there is no way you are EVER going to convince them otherwise.

• They have a short life span and yes that is a con, you will find that you become attached, so addicted to them that 7 short years just isn't right, it isn't fair, and can be devastating to lose them.

• They a musk smell

• They have sharp teeth like kittens. They know how to use them. On one another, on your socks (with or without your toes stuffed in em), your finger (if you play to roughly), your purse, your shoes, couch pillows, some electrical cords, most things made of plastic, etc. They put everything in their mouths. (ferrets have poor vision, but excellent smell, and use their teeth to investigate their surroundings) They all think there is buried treasure in every houseplant, everywhere, in the entire world. Yep, every potted plant must have a trinket inside with their name on it! And they WILL look for it every chance they get! (due their burrowing instinct, ferrets like to dig)

• Their litter needs to be cleaned EVERY DAY.

• They become so emotionally tied to their primary care taker.

• They are not easy to care for once they get older.

• I have personally found that it is easier to get a cat to swallow a whole pill than it is to give a ferret medication it doesn't like.

• They will get under foot. They will steal your things and hide them. Smart ferret parents have a spare set of keys located high up in a safe place. They will climb up the Christmas tree, up your pants, down your shirt, through your hair, and all over the shelves. They will be naughty just because they feel you are not paying enough attention to them.

• True ferret fanatics read through that list answering "yeah but its worth it" after every point. And I'm right there - totally worth it!!! But I rescue ferrets all day long from people unlike myself... People who don't think its worth it. There are more people to rescue ferrets away from than there are to place ferrets with.

• They brighten my every day, make me laugh, and complete my life.

• They are not for everyone, they are not even for most people, but they are perfect for a couple of people and we think they are totally, absolutely, worth every bit.

• Ferrets are super playful throughout their life! They can also be very affectionate. They must be let out of their cage but are very fearless and can get into trouble when out. You need to watch them so they don't crawl anywhere dangerous and get crushed!

• I like to tell people that ferrets are like kittens that never grow up. You love them, they love you. They are a bag of laughs every time you see them. They will give you so much love. They are interactive! There are 1025 ferrets on petfinder.com. Too many people do not prepare themselves for owning a ferret.

• You need to have an emergency fund put aside if you want to own one. Just a little put away each month and you will be prepared for anything that may come up. They are not cheap animals.

• You need to read, read, anything and everything you can about ferrets. And read "Ferrets for Dummies" It's a great book.

• You really need to be committed to owning one.

• Ferrets are good pets if they are properly cared for with human interaction, training and socialization. They can become aggressive if not handled enough and prolonged caging.

• As long as you tame them they are fine i have two and except for the odd love bite they won't try to bite you. Unless you threaten them.

• Yes, I love ferrets, they are so playful and fun, sometimes silly. If your feeling down, go play with a ferret and they will instantly make you feel better.

• Let's just say that when I was doing work experience at a pet shop, I had to feed three baby ferrets at once. ADORABLY cute when sleeping, but try feeding THREE at ONCE and it may take you a good painful fifteen minutes to detach them from your fingers.

• FERRETS ROCK! Seriously, I want a ferret!

• Any ferret that is abused or not properly taken care of, just like animal, will be mean

• Ferrets like a lot of human interaction - to be with it's owner with plenty of time out of it's cage to play and explore the environment to satisfy their natural instincts. To be with other ferrets for company and companionship. To be cared for properly and not abused.

• Ferrets can be messy because of their inquisitive nature, and natural instinct to dig. Some ferrets like to dig in their food, and play in the drinking water.

• Do ferrets kill? The have been used for centuries in rodent extermination of rats, mice and rabbits. A ferret has natural instincts that may kill any rodent including guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, mice, etc. They may kill small snakes, bird, reptiles.

• Ferrets that are treated properly and handled frequently early in their life will bond strongly to their owner and like people. An abused ferret or one that has not been handled by humans will most likely be a "fear biter", and be afraid of people.

• I love ferrets. They are fun to play with and will make you laugh. That's my opinion. And then you have the other people that claim ferrets are dumb and stinky.These are the people that abuse animals.

• Ferrets are very smart. Ferret can be taught many tricks. Ferrets can learn to understand words and commands. The key to teaching ferrets is understanding their behavior, having patience and being persistent, along with food rewards. They can figure out how to unzip zippers, open cabinets, learn tricks, open doors. Some people claim that they are dumb, it's just that they act silly sometimes when playing. You just have to know ferrets and their natural instincts to figure out what they are doing sometimes.

• Ferrets get attached to their owners. In fact, some ferrets that are given up to shelters are so attached to their owners, they will become so depressed and will stop eating and die. Ferrets need to have a "Forever Home" a home they will always live at and never given up

• Are ferrets dirty? Hello, I have 2 Ferrets and they aren't dirty. They have very fast metabolisms and eat a couple of tablespoons of food approx every 2 hours. So they potty a lot. They pee and poop at the same time. Scoop the poop out of there cage several times a day, No they aren't dirty. Ferrets are very smart animals. Mine only potty in the corner of the cage I have a friend with Ferrets and hers goes all over the place so she is constantly having to change all the bedding, and that gets expensive. Ferrets can be trained and mine can do tricks. well I know I gave more information than you probably wanted or needed, I just love Ferrets and like to talk about them.

• Ferret are overly-curious by nature. They will crawl into any crack, hole, door, bed/couch, etc. etc. if it's there. Ferret's don't really have a concern for whether or not something around the corner intends to eat them, they basically charge around the corner to go sniff it's nose.

• Ferrets are awesome pets. I have 3!! But this is my opinion

• Absolutely! Just please be sure to read a lot about ferrets, or any other pet you decide to get, before you get one. They have a lot of energy, and are very curious. They require about 4 hours out of the cage per day, if you decide to keep them in one. Also, a ferret's favorite toy is generally their human companion, so expect to spend lots of time on the floor playing with them! I think it would be a great family pet.

• A ferret would not be a good pet for families with small children under 8 years old, or for families that travel a lot

• Yes, if you know how to properly take care of ferrets, and have the time for them. They love to play and are fun to watch.

• Ferrets are much like any other animal - if kept well, handled regularly and treated kindly, they can be extremely nice and affectionate. They also have a great sense of fun and will play various games such as hide and seek with their human owners. However, ferrets are by nature quite a fierce animal and are equipped with very, very sharp teeth - so a mistreated/neglected ferret is capable of giving a nasty bite.

• Ferrets are the greatest pets in the world, but they are outlawed as pets in the states of California and Hawaii. - Ferrets are good pets, I had one they are funny and like to play a lot

Answer 2

Ferrets as pets are not to everyone's taste, but if you want to watch an interesting documentary about people who love ferrets and compete in ferret shows (much like the dog shows you see), you should watch Ferrets: The Pursuit of Excellence. It is available on the PBS website as well as Amazon and possibly Netflix. The main downside of owning ferrets (and it may not be a downside for you) is that they require a lot of attention for their mental health. If you are not home a lot, ferrets might not be the right pet for you.

Answer 3

Ferrets are good pets for people without children and are at home a lot. They are not like a cat or dog that you can leave alone for long periods of time. Ferrets require a lot of human interaction, and least 4 hours out of it's cage. It is not recommended to have a ferret if there are young children in the house, as ferrets can easily be hurt by them. And if you do have a ferret, children must be supervised at all times.

Answer 4

Well there are lots of things you may have to think about. Do you have small children? If so, it is not best to get a ferret. Guinea pigs are great with families! But are pretty lazy. Especially as they get older. If you want an active, curious and playful, funny little creature, a ferret is best for you! Guinea pigs are great with small children because they are eay going and are easily handled. Ferrets for small children, eh.... Not so much. Ferrets may at some point be a little too rough with babies, and nip at little fingers and toes. All in all, if you want a friendly, cuddly little lump of love, get a guinea pig. If you want, an active, playful, curious and funny pet, get a ferret. Ferrets are not BAD pets compared to guinea pigs, but it really depends on your lifestyle. Hope this helped!

Answer 5

Ferrets are very playful and friendly (also curious about everything). Baby ferrets nip a lot and should be trained not to nip or bite. They also need lots of care and attention from their owners. They can fit through tight spaces, so if you get a ferret, make sure you ferret-proof your home.

Answer 6

Ferrets are Wonderful companions! They are full of energy, develop close relationships with their people, and require a lot of attention. Keep in mind that 2 ferrets are always better than 1. They enjoy having a cage mate and will provide hours of entertainment during their uncaged exercise time. They will require at minimum a couple of hours a day outside their cage to explore and run and play. This can be 1 room or the entire house. That's up to you. I allow mine to run most of the time and cage only when I'm away from home or at night when we are sleeping for safety reasons. They will dig up your house plants and get into anything you don't want them to. So ferret proofing your home is a must! But well worth it! With proper care and a good quality diet, they provide many years of love and companionship.

Answer 7

There are several things to consider before you buy a ferret:

1. Do you have a suitable room or cage or can you buy one?

2. Are you willing to spend at least 45 minutes - 1hr a day cleaning

3. Can you afford vacinations and vets bills etc

4. Will you have time to spend at least 2-3hrs a day playing with your ferret

5. Do you have other pets that the ferret might not get on with

Ferrets are definitely not an impulse buy. They take a lot of care and attention. Maybe check out the library and see if they have some books about ferrets to get a good idea of what is involved in having a ferret

Answer 8

Ferrets are pets and they love to play so you have to give them attention and toys to play with. beware they are mischievous and tricky