How do ferrets and other pets interact?

Answer 1

Depends on the kind of animals. Ferrets have been used for centuries in rodent control and extermination and has a natural instinct to hunt and kill mice, rats, rabbits, etc (any rodent). Ferrets have no inherent danger of other animals like dogs and cats, that they will be friendly towards even if the other animal may be a danger to them. Like some dogs with natural hunting instincts like terriers may kill ferrets.

Ferrets, rodents and birds

Ferrets natural instinct might perceive any rodent type pet as prey and attack mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, they should not be allowed to interact or be housed together. Birds can be stressed or nervous around ferrets and might be preyed upon as well.

Ferrets, cats, and dogs

Ferrets have been known to play well with household cats and some non-aggressive dogs, however, great care must be taken when introducing ferrets to any other household pets. Certain terrier Dog Breeds even have a heightened instinct to grab and kill ferrets. Never leave a ferret unsupervised with another animal.

Dogs that were bred for hunting, for example terriers, even if they have never been used for hunting, still have a natural instinct, should never be around ferrets. Trying to introduce a grown aggressive dog would be too stressful for a ferret. But a puppy that has been raised around ferrets will most likely be safe with ferrets.

Ferrets get along with cats better than any other animals, especially if introduced as a kitten. An adult cat, it depends on it's temperament or behavior. An adult cat can easily harm a baby ferret and vise-versa, closely supervise grown a ferret when playing with a kitten. Ferrets will readily approach other animals, without fear of their own safety.

Ferrets are fearless to the point of foolishness and should not be allowed to wander. Whenever they are outside, they should be closely supervised and preferably kept on a harness leash designed for ferrets such as an H-shaped harness. Their curious nature also leads them to place themselves in situations where they will confront and try to play with larger animals outdoors that may be dangerous to the ferret.

from other contributors:

• Well, I have a dog and he likes the ferret. Ferrets are really friendly!

• Know that ferrets will generally treat any rodent, bird, or lizard as a prey.

Ferrets and Guinea Pigs

• Sometimes. It really depends on the ferrets personality. But not likely. It is likely that the ferret would attack the guinea pig.

• Absolutely not!!!! We had both a ferret and Guinea pig and one night the ferrets cage was left open, she pried open the cage of our guinea pig and attacked her relentlessly! I found her (the guinea pig) the next morning missing both of her eyes, her face was full of deep puncture wounds. I had to rush her to the vet and she thought the most humane thing to do was to put her down. I would not wish that graphic scene on anyone and I can't imagine what our sweet guinea pig went through in her last hours.

Answer 2

Ferrets don't really have activities. But they absolutely love to run around, inside and outside. Just make sure they don't get into too much trouble. They love toys, especially little balls but watch them very closely when they are out playing. Again, there aren't really activities that are for Ferrets that I know of but some of these, I guess, you could call activities.

Hope this helped!

Answer 3

Ferrets are very bouncy little creatures, however they do sleep 18 hours out of the day. They love to be played with (well, most of them) and when they do, they can sometimes make cute little monkey-sounding noises. Most pet ferrets, if raised in a good home, never bite people and can be amazing pets. THey are quirky little critters, not as graceful as a cat, but they act like kittens in many ways. They do not like to scratch things, though, or even chew things to pieces for the most part. They are extremely curious (sometimes too curious) and need to be watched when they are let out.

Answer 4

Ferrets love to play, play and play, they crave human interaction, and will want to play with you. Ferret sleep about 15-18 hrs a day. When they are awake they are very hyper, wanting to explore and investigate everything that they can. They have a natural instinct to dig because they have been used for centuries for hunting rabbits and used for rodent extermination. When they are very excited and playful, you will hear them "dook" a soft vocalization, and you will see them do the "Dance of Joy" - hopping around, from side to side, sometimes bumping into things. They love to play chasing games. When they potty, you will see them back into a corner, a ferret has a short digestive system and digest food in about 3 - 4 hours, and poop that much. They are very smart and with patience, can be litter trained, and can also be taught to do tricks. Ferrets have no inherent fear of humans, dogs or cats. Some ferrets sleep so soundly, owner have though they died only to wake at the vets office. Ferrets can be persistent, it is nearly impossible to discourage them once they get focused on something, even to the point of being dangerous, you have to remove them from that area. Some ferret like to steal things and hide stuff in their special places - it can be anything - keys, remote controls, toys, food, socks, you never know what.

Answer 5

Either scratching or bitting