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 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 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.

• If you can and have enough money you should definitely get Two. Some ferrets can lonely and stressed if things to do a day and another ferret friend can give both ferrets exercise and comfort. if you spend the day at work or school the ferrets need each other and get very attached!!!!

• Not necessarily. As pets, you can keep one, and it will be perfectly content if you have plenty of time to play with your ferret as they crave human interaction, two can keep each other occupied if you don't have a lot of time for your ferret.

• So the answer to your question is: 'No, they don't have to be in pairs - but they would prefer it.'

• Yes - if they're already friends. Two ferrets provide company for one another. Our two constantly snuggle and play together and one on its own would need more attention from us. However, buying two ferrets who do not know or like one another needs more care.

• Ferrets are not pack animals. But, due to domestication, they retain more juvenile characteristics (cf.s dogs similar behaviour to wolf puppies). They view their companion ferret as a litter-mate.

• Yes, ferrets do like to be in pairs but they can be just as happy by themselves. If you are someone who is busy and can't let your ferret out of the cage as much as you are supposed to then you should consider getting another ferret. But you still have to remember that even if you have two ferrets, they still have to be let out to run around and play together. Even if you are thinking about getting another ferret you also have to remember that you may have a ferret that may not get along with another ferret so you may be his only friend.

To maintain a ferrets life it's important to have a quiet and dark sleeping space with without noises or interruptions, they sleep an average of 15 hours (more or less). A good quality ferret food is very important, and not all ferrets foods are that good of quality. Marshall farm ferrets are more prone to illness and disease early in life, thought to be caused by genetics - inbreeding, and early neutering. But with proper care (meaning educate yourself and read everything you can about ferrets) they can live longer (My ferret Abby is a white albino female that weights about 1 lb and she's 9 years old)

From other contributors:

• ferrets in the UK live till they are between 8 and 10 years.

• a ferret aged 5 years would not be considered old in the UK

• Generally, ferrets live for 7-9 years.

• The average lifespan of a ferret is normally 8 to 10 years, although well cared for ferrets have been known to live for up to 12 years, and others die at the age of 4 to 6 for no apparent reason other than old age.

• some ferrets have lived for as long as 15 years it all depends on there health most live till 10 years of age

• They can live anywhere from 5-8 years. All depending on their health and care.

• The average lifespan for a ferret is 6 to 8 years. Although my last ferret lived to be 11 years old. But not without the sad effects of blindness, hair loss and other ailments. Though he did live a happy and playful life to the very end.

• They can live to be 6 to 10 to even 15 years old. That is if they're healthy and cared for very well.

• They live 6 to 10 years. Sometimes, they live even longer.

• Anywhere from 6-10 years can be considered normal. However, some ferrets can live up to 10 years if you take good care of them.
• The oldest lived to be 15 or 16.

• From 6 to 8 years.

• Anywhere from 5 to 13 years, depending on where you got your ferret (pet store or breeder), how the ferret is cared for, and general luck. Feeding a good diet and ensuring they don't ingest objects they shouldn't are essential to the longevity of a pet ferret. Ferrets bought in a pet store, especially in America, are said to have shorter lifespans due to genetic issues. Do not feed a ferret anything but meat-based products, proper vitamins (Ferretone, only in small amounts), and water. They should never, ever have anything with a lot of sugar or dairy. Sugar is linked to pancreatic cancer (insulinoma, an all-too-common killer) and ferrets are lactose intolerant.

Ferrets can go into shock (which is an acute fall in blood pressure) for example caused by a loud sudden noise, being chased by a predator, from an accident or injury or any similar sudden, quick movement; certain diseases can also cause this condition. Shock may not be instant and a delayed from the time of the incident to the time of the reaction may occur. The symptoms can vary: cool skin, pale lips and gums, faint rapid pulse; staring but unseeing eyes; from panting and lethargic to a catatonic state of rigidity, depending on the depth of the shock. A ferret must be kept warm and the blood circulation returned to normal as soon as possible. To help a ferret suffering from shock, wrap in a towel or blanket, and place him in a warm quiet spot. Massaging your ferret to encourage circulation, while speaking softly and using gentle strokes will help recovery. It is advised to seek veterinary care for any accidents or injuries

so mainly let them bite you to ease the shock

or see Paris Hilton for help
Yes. If a ferret gets extremely scared, injured, cold or hot it can go into clinical shock. Symptoms of shock in a ferret include: pale skin on the ears or nose, cold skin, grey/blue gums, shivering, fast heartbeat and unresponsiveness.

If your ferret is in shock. Keep it warm by wrapping it loosely in a blanket. Keep the ferrets surroundings as quiet as possible by turning off radios, tvs, washing machines etc (anything making loud noise). Do not try to feed or give water to the ferret. Get the ferret to the vet as soon as possible.

Ferrets are not dangerous at all. It's the humans that abuses the animals that's dangerous.

Dogs are dangerous, when is the last time you heard that a ferret killed someone? There are by far more dogs bites to humans compared to ferrets biting humans. According to the AMVA latest figures there were 800,000 cases of dog bites to human that had to be treated, plus people have died from dog bites. And no telling how many unreported cases there were.

No, ferrets are not dangerous, though they could bite out of fear, if handled improperly, abused or not properly socialized. Also a female ferret with babies are very protective and could bite. All animals can potential be dangerous if handled improperly, yet ferrets have a more calm disposition than other pets. Make sure if your ferret, or other pet is acting strange to take the pet to the vet, sometimes animals attack out of fear, hunger or pain.