Ferret Review

Overall 4.68 of 5 view all 31 reviews

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megdzw
Beach LakeBeach Lake, PA

If you don't mind a little mess this is the greastest pet.

always spoiling my dog!, living with many animals, Concerned with my dog's wellbeing, very attached to my dog, appreciative of good service, animal lover, willing to pay for quality, not rich

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Pros

energetic, fun, good in apartments, small, Better in groups

Cons

Can be naughty if not properly trained, High maintenance

AUG

2007

I have 3 ferrets. They each have very different personalities. Izzy is my mellow boy and our first. Bella we got as a friend for Izzy. She is spunky and our boldest. Then my daughter talked me into a 3rd. His name is Ozzy and he is deaf. He is very hard to find when it is time to go back in the cage. They bring a smile to your face every time you see them. They are a part of our family as much as our 3 dogs. They also get along with our 2 cats. They do not however get along with our Bunny. Ferrets will kill rodents like rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, mice etc... they will also kill birds. And although I have heard of some exceptions, generally ferrets do not get along well with prey animals like birds and rodents. Ferrets can be expensive. They need a high protien quaility ferret food. It is also good to mix 2 or 3 different kinds of high quality ferrets foods together, as they can inprint on one kind of food and if that brand goes out of business, you may not be able to get your ferret to eat another kind of food. They need rabies and distemper shots yearly just like dogs and they need an annual checkup from the vet. There are common illnesses that ferrets can get thet can be very expensive.
Pros- They are lovable, adorable little clowns that will make you laugh and laugh. They will steal your heart-- and hide it under the bed! No need for antidepressant meds if you have ferrets as pets. They are quiet- no neighbors complaining about noisy barking etc.. They sleep 18 to 20 hours a day- they must come out to play at least an hour a day, run around and get thier energy out, but how great is it if you work long hours. They sleep while you are out and are ready to play when you get home. They will adapt to your schedule no matter what shift you work. No need to walk them, but you can if you want!! Great conversation starter, everyone wants to meet and see your ferret. They only need a bath once or twice a year- no costly grooming bills.
Cons- Can be expensive as I explained above. Also can be messy. Bella digs her food out of her bowl every day. I clean their cage every day and scoop thier litter boxes at least once a day now that I have 3. I change their bedding once a week. If you keep thier cages clean and change their bedding they will not smell. They have a slight musky odor to them by their ears. Stronger in males than in females, but it not a strong odor. Before I owned ferrets I thought that they smelled and if you take care of them this is not true. Ferret accidents- no ferret is 100% trained to use the litterbox outside of the cage. I'd say mine are 80-90%. They have several litterboxes throughout the house. They are much smaller than a cat box and tuck into corners and underneath things where ferrets like to go. Accidents are small and easy to clean up, unlike larger animals. Ferrets will dig in your houseplants. This is my biggest challenge as a ferret owner. I love plants and they are little diggers. You just have to find places to put them were they can't get at them. That can be tough because they find ways to get just about everywere.
Pro or Con ? - This depends on your attitude. They steal things! They will make little "hidy holes" where they put treasures when they are out of thier cage. I personally think this is adorable. These item are easy to find since they generally hide things in the same spot all the time. They will take a dish towel or a pair of socks to make their hidy hole comfortable. And each of mine like to take different things to thier "hidy hole" Izzy likes anything crinkely, Belle likes to hide her squeeky toys and Ozzy like to steal soap, shampoo, conditioner etc.. If you don't keep the shower door closed
All in all , I love my ferrets and even though I know they are not for everybody, I will always have one in my house from now on.