Pet ferret

emilymch1

does anyone know where i can get a pet ferret??? I am living in the Cork area and have been looking for a while, have missed one that was for sale in Clonmel. Has anyone any experience of keeping one as a pet?? i have 2 cats and a dog and am a bit apprehensive but my teenage daughter would give anything to have one.
any advice or recommendation would be greatly appreciated. thank you

boodee

I wouldn't do it if i were you. My nephew had one and it was a disaster. They need lots of attention, they're smelly, will get out of most enclosures.....not matter how much you plug it up.
Ferrets are wild and the ones that people do keep are for hunting so the ferret is happy because it's doing what nature intended.
It also bit my other sisters nose and we had a hard time getting it to release her. She then had the expense of a doctors visit after it.
All that....and we haven't even mentioned how you're going to integrate it with your other pets.......good luck on that one..


It was got in a pet shop in waterford that has now stopped selling them as pets, I'd imagine they're just not suitable as house pets, they're just too ferrell.

Mance Rayder

Agree they are not suitable, they bite alot and it hurts like f*** they CANNOT be tamed. They are dangerous around children also.

number10a

They stink to such a level that you will actually abandon the room you were living in. My boyfriend's sister was minding one for a few weeks for a friend and she basically had to move out of her own bedroom because of it. She had to sleep on the couch at night, while the ferret had a double bedroom to himself.

Shanao

boodee wrote: »

I wouldn't do it if i were you. My nephew had one and it was a disaster. They need lots of attention, they're smelly, will get out of most enclosures.....not matter how much you plug it up.
Ferrets are wild and the ones that people do keep are for hunting so the ferret is happy because it's doing what nature intended.
It also bit my other sisters nose and we had a hard time getting it to release her. She then had the expense of a doctors visit after it.
All that....and we haven't even mentioned how you're going to integrate it with your other pets.......good luck on that one..


It was got in a pet shop in waterford that has now stopped selling them as pets, I'd imagine they're just not suitable as house pets, they're just too ferrell.

Sorry but you cant condemn a species because of one bad encounter. I have two pet ferrets for the past three years and they are one of the best pets I've had. They play, sleep and eat with my cats, so no problems there. They only smell until you have them neutered, they dont escape out of every enclosure, I have them in a cage that they've never gotten out of, and clearly if the ferret bit it wasn't taught bite inhibition at all. They make fantastic pets, take it from someone who put the time and effort into them and now have two happy ferrets who've only ever bitten as kits living in a house with five cats and two dogs.

number10a

Shanao wrote: »

Sorry but you cant condemn a species because of one bad encounter. I have two pet ferrets for the past three years and they are one of the best pets I've had. They play, sleep and eat with my cats, so no problems there. They only smell until you have them neutered, they dont escape out of every enclosure, I have them in a cage that they've never gotten out of, and clearly if the ferret bit it wasn't taught bite inhibition at all. They make fantastic pets, take it from someone who put the time and effort into them and now have two happy ferrets who've only ever bitten as kits living in a house with five cats and two dogs.

Actually never knew this! So maybe you can disregard what I said. Thanks for sharing that because I actually like them, but was totally put off by the experience I mentioned above.

Mance Rayder

Like all carnivores, their feaces stinks to high heaven. They have a short digestive system like a dogs (to whom they are related) and therefore they 'go' quite alot.

It literally stinks like human excrement.

Sigma Force

They deffo need a very secure housing with double door system (whether indoors or outdoors) to stop any escapes. Their poo does pong, no idea if they can be litter trained but do do some more research on their care before taking one on and deffo don't buy from a pet shop and some that are for sale are sometimes used for hunting so may or may not be as well handled as a pet ferret would be. Check out rescues around the area they do come in to rescue sometimes.

There was one running around our garden yesterday morning..very strange..must of been a hunting ferret it wouldn't come near me and legged it to the other side of the fence and kept going down rabbit holes. Very cute though.

They would need a large enclosure if outside or a large shed with a secure run attached with lots of toys and tunnels. They can make a good pet but only if you are prepared for the clean up and the expense of the housing if they aren't housed indoors.

I have 3 ferrets and have never been bitten by them. We handelled them since 6 weeks old. They sleep alot but when they are awake, they love to play. They can make great pets. Can teach them tricks and all that.

Down side.
They do stink. Need constant cleaning. We have 4 dogs but it seems 3 ferrets are alot more work. You need to neuter the female. Neutering does not get rid of the smell, only tones it down.

For housing , i would suggest a critter nation or a ferret nation. Lots of room and easier to clean.

CiscoStudent : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY-GWTM4ioo

moses13

emilymch1 wrote: »

does anyone know where i can get a pet ferret??? I am living in the Cork area and have been looking for a while, have missed one that was for sale in Clonmel. Has anyone any experience of keeping one as a pet?? i have 2 cats and a dog and am a bit apprehensive but my teenage daughter would give anything to have one.
any advice or recommendation would be greatly appreciated. thank you

Please dont be put off by these negative quotes!!! Firstly like all animals they can be taught not to bite!! Secondly when they are neutered there is very very little smell!! I have 2 pet ferrets and they are absolutely adorable they would never dream of biting me or anyone else. They are neutered and there is no more smell than a rabbit or cat or dog for that matter. They are very affectionate and GREAT fun. If you are seriously thinking of getting one please check out the link below and get the RIGHT advice. Also if you adopt a rescue ferret it will have been assessed and you will be informed if there are any problems. Oh and as for their pooh, all pooh stinks!! But ferrets are very easy to litter train and are as fastidious as any cat.
http://www.irishferretforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?
http://www.catsandcoholidays.com/caresheets/ferretcare.php

boodee

I still stick by what I say, but would probably just say that the above posters who do have ferrets are probably not teenagers and have the time and know how to train, clean and look after them to the degree that they seem to require. IMO, they are just not domesticated enough.

Yes, they can do lots of great tricks and walk to a lead and they're cute but all of this can be done with most pets. The trick ones are those that are being trained 24/7 by someone that is using them professionally.

It's a question of how much time you have to put into it, as i'm sure your daughter is busy with school, extra curricular activites and if she's in an exam year.......well...ultimately, you'll be looking after it.

Just my belief too, but i hate any animal that has to be caged/housed for most of it's life. Not judging here....it's just what I believe. I feel the same about budgies etc. I guess you could get a good run and play pen.

boodee

moses13 wrote: »

Please dont be put off by these negative quotes!!! Firstly like all animals they can be taught not to bite!! Secondly when they are neutered there is very very little smell!! I have 2 pet ferrets and they are absolutely adorable they would never dream of biting me or anyone else. They are neutered and there is no more smell than a rabbit or cat or dog for that matter. They are very affectionate and GREAT fun. If you are seriously thinking of getting one please check out the link below and get the RIGHT advice. Also if you adopt a rescue ferret it will have been assessed and you will be informed if there are any problems. Oh and as for their pooh, all pooh stinks!! But ferrets are very easy to litter train and are as fastidious as any cat.
http://www.irishferretforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?
http://www.catsandcoholidays.com/caresheets/ferretcare.php

The comman element here is that they need lots of care and training. If you have to teach a pet not to bite, is it worth having. Above poster knows what they're at.

Lexie_Karas

Hey, I have two pet ferrets. They are completely friendly, love playing and chasing and having a cuddle. Yes they can be a little smelly, both are neutured though and that makes a big difference... they're litter trained and once the tray is kept clean there really isn't a bad smell. No worse than cat litter boxes (unless they aren't on a healthy diet!). Keeping the litter tray clean and washing all their bedding weekly really keeps the smell down. They take a good amount of looking after, some people think they can happily just live in a cage all day but they really need company and attention. And it can take a bit of hunting before you find a ferret knowledgable vet. They can be escape artists so a good amount of preparation is needed before you bring them into your home, ours have full access to our downstairs once we're home so the whole place needed to be ferret proofed and needs to be kept safe for them.

One point that I think is probably very relevent to you is that they can have a long life span anything up to 10 years (though I do know some that have had 11+ year olds!). So if you are considering one for your teenage daughter you really need to consider what will happen to the pet once she wants to go to college or move out or travel. I am in the middle of trying to help rehome a ferret at the moment because the owner is now 20 and moving to Australia and the parents have no interest in giving the ferret the time and attention it needs. If you are happy to make the commitment to look after and care for it for the next decade or so great but your daughter may not be able to be responsible for it once her own life starts to get in the way... not all land lords are happy with the idea of a ferret coming to stay!

If it really is something you decide to do or if you want to ask questions feel free to pm for info (not for help finding ferrets though, I don't know of any in Cork!)

boodee

Lexie_Karas wrote: »

Yes they can be a little smelly, both are neutured though and that makes a big difference... they're litter trained and once the tray is kept clean there really isn't a bad smell. No worse than cat litter boxes (unless they aren't on a healthy diet!). Keeping the litter tray clean and washing all their bedding weekly really keeps the smell down. They take a good amount of looking after, some people think they can happily just live in a cage all day but they really need company and attention. And it can take a bit of hunting before you find a ferret knowledgable vet. They can be escape artists....

One point that I think is probably very relevent to you is that they can have a long life span anything up to 10 years (though I do know some that have had 11+ year olds!). So if you are considering one for your teenage daughter you really need to consider what will happen to the pet once she wants to go to college or move out or travel. I am in the middle of trying to help rehome a ferret at the moment because the owner is now 20 and moving to Australia and the parents have no interest in giving the ferret the time and attention it needs. If you are happy to make the commitment to look after and care for it for the next decade or so great but your daughter may not be able to be responsible for it once her own life starts to get in the way... not all land lords are happy with the idea of a ferret coming to stay!


I think you really need to listen to Lexie

boodee

hi,
Have you made a decision about getting the ferret. Just wondering if the thread has helped you decide.

emilymch1

Haven't been able to reply or do anything about the ferret, but am still anxious to get one. I can take on board about the smell and all that but ferrets would be kept outside - in an out of the house during day but they would be sleeping outside. I am still finding it difficult to source one


emily

emilymch1

Hi Boodee, no i haven't made the decision yet, but haven't had much time over the last few weeks. I think the best advice i got was from Lexie Karax (Thanks Lexie .. i probably will take you up on your offer if i get one - or maybe a pair). I'm starting my search in earnest, and yes i think i will go for it.

Chris_Heilong

Ferrets are domesticated animals, have been for hundreds of years, they make lovely pets and are social, as diffrent in behaviour to their wild counterpart the Polecat as dogs are to wolves, I had 2 Ferrets and as long as they are introduced to people at a young age they are very friendly, Johnathan Ross keeps Ferrets, neutering reduces the musk smell but as I said find ones that are socialised well.

emilymch1

just to let ye all know we collected our beautiful ferret from DSPCA - traveled all the way to Dub for our little Fred. He's settling in very well and my daughter is thrilled. He has his hutch outside in our garden but he is in every day for a few hours.

iguana

CiscoStudent wrote: »

Agree they are not suitable, they bite alot and it hurts like f*** they CANNOT be tamed. They are dangerous around children also.

They have been domesticated for over two thousand years. They, like dogs, are great pets in the right hands and crap pets in the wrong hands. It's not the animal's fault if the owner causes them problems. Once someone has done their research and is prepared for the commitment that animal requires they can be a great addition to a home.