You'll also need to devote plenty of time to grooming, as they need regular nail-clipping, ear-cleaning and tooth-brushing. Ferrets don’t have a very long lifespan; the average lifespan ranges from 6 – 8 years. Even when you clean their cages frequently, the odor of a ferret is something that will become the dominant smell rather quickly when you have these animals as pets. 1. Ship This Item — Qualifies for Free Shipping Buy Online, Pick up in Store Check Availability at Nearby Stores. They are highly territorial when they come around other pets, even if there is a significant size difference between the two. The problem that many owners face is the likelihood that a ferret will bite them, which typically occurs when the animal … Ferrets are cute and furry little animals that are in the same family as weasels and badgers. You must keep ferrets away from any other foods because they will eat anything that is close to them. What Kind of Animals Can a Chinchilla Live With? When you don’t give them enough attention, they will quickly remind you vocally that you’re not doing your job right. What Are the Dangers of Ferrets to Humans? Most owners keep them as pets in cages, since the average length of the animal is just 20 inches, with one-third of that length attributed to the tail. However, several species of Macaws are referred to as threatened species. Unless there is no other option, any pet-to-pet encounters that involve a ferret should be personally supervised, and then the ferrets should live in a different area of the home than your other pets. Ferrets do not like being around other animals. When you look for ferrets at the local pet store or from an experienced/licensed breeder in your community, then you will discover that many of them are trained to use the bathroom or perform some tricks before you even bring them home. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. These intelligent animals can often figure out the locking mechanisms on their enclosure, and it only takes one successful to escape to potentially lose your ferret for good. Is microchipping our ferrets something we as ferrents should be considering? They do like to explore, with their curiosity being strong enough that you would not want to let one loose outside without fencing restrictions. When you have a ferret in your home as a pet, then you will want to keep a large enclosure available for them so that they can burn off their excessive energy every day. Ferrets are often trained before they are offered for sale. Ferrets have high levels of energy all of the time. I will begin with the pros of having pet rabbits. All Creature Care: Should I Get a Ferret? Ferrets As Pets. For years, rodents have been labelled as filthy animals that lack hygiene and intelligence. It takes A LOT of time and patience to tame a ferret. Since the average lifespan is up to 10 years, even an adult at the age of 2 can become a long-term addition to your family while you can avoid the entire training issue altogether. You will need to feed your ferrets a specific diet to ensure that their health and wellness is always at its maximum. According to the Lafeber Vet website ferrets have a lifespan of 6 to 8 years. Characteristics of ferrets: Ferrets as pets are carnivorous and, therefore, can be fed any high-quality meat, cat food, or ferret food. Ferrets can be self-sufficient when they have a friend. Most of them will eventually match their schedule to work with yours, waking up ready to play when you get up for the day. I am going to outline some of the qualities I find interesting about having ferrets as pets. They will dart away when you try to catch them, hide under your furniture, and look for the tiniest spots where they can squeeze their flexible bodies through. Ferrets as Pets Pros and Cons Pros of having ferrets as pets. Ferrets are endearing as they possess prankish eyes and sweet faces. Ferrets are known to bite in certain conditions. Their aroma will be a lot worse if they are not de-sexed. You may even need to put down more than one litter box. Sign in to Purchase Instantly. There are stories of people losing their ferrets in their walls, behind appliances, or even getting into the plumbing in the bathroom. Females usually weigh between 1.1 to 2 pounds and males weigh 1.7 to 2.6 … If you really want one, I'd highly suggest buying one that is an adult and already tame. If you have more than one ferret, just watching a pair or more play together can keep you amused all afternoon. Doctors Foster and Smith: Ferret Popularity - Pros and Cons, Doctors Foster and Smith: Ferret Ownership in Depth. Are Ferrets Good Pets? They also smell pretty bad, even with frequent cage cleaning. There are also others who can tolerate the smell. 6. When you work with them right away on potty training issues, handling, and the ever-popular biting habit, then you can experience results right away that can make it a lot easier to keep these animals as pets. Ferrets like to collect things. Ferrets require a specialized food product for their health. Once you get to four animals, it might be a good idea to stop because then they will work on setting up a social hierarchy which could dictate which animal receives your attention, and in what order. You should spend at least two of these playing or otherwise interacting with them. When these animals are unable to engage in social interactions, then it can impede their mental health. Then you will experience a few hours of high-level energy. Chocolate is also a problem, as are any sugar-free food items. Shape The World. The musky smell; Nipping and possibly biting; Don’t do well around other pets; Home needs to be ferret-proofed. 4. Ferrets have a distinctive odor that never really goes away. Search for: Recent Posts. It is essential to handle them carefully and to get them used to socialize from an early age. Ferrets As Pets_ Pros and Cons. The problem that many owners face is the likelihood that a ferret will bite them, which typically occurs when the animal feels like it is being handled too roughly. Rats can be excellent pets that fit well into your lifestyle, but certain aspects can be challenging or inconvenient if you’re not prepared for them. If you work full-time and no one is at home during the day, then a content bunny will be one with toys, a clean cage, and some human voices from a radio or TV in the background. Pros: Inquisitive to a fault, always up for a good play, mischievous and inventive. Live Life Team. If you are here, chances are you are considering owning a ferret of your very own. Pros: Most travel cages that are built for ferrets are a soft bodied fabric option, and many people buy them thinking of their ferrets comfort. Ferrets are no exception to this rule. Yes, they are WILD animals. 5. Quick: Pros & Cons to owning a pet ferret Pros. in Frequently Asked. You will need to get into the habit of shutting down everything all year long, even with the ferret in its cage, to prevent them from escaping. Ferrets are known to bite in certain conditions. You should consider de-sexing your ferrets or buying them de-sexed. This is a video discussing the Pros and Cons of having fancy rats as pets. So, are you thinking of welcoming pet rats in the family? You will also need to clean out their litter box or cage every 2-3 days to prevent the strong odors from wandering around the house. It isn't necessarily unpleasant odor, but it is quite strong and musky. The males are typically much larger than the females, although both genders typically have a natural lifespan of about 7-10 years. They readily bond with their owners, so you can hope to have plenty of furry ferret snuggles. They love to play with toys. You must allow them to have space to play in your home in ways that are safe. You should avoid giving them access to any dairy products because they cannot digest lactose. 7. Some experts believe that the first human attempts to have them as pets occurred over 2,000 years ago. You can train ferrets to perform tricks or exhibit specific behaviors rather quickly. Cons Of Owning A Ferret. Ferrets are quiet animals that don’t bark or whine, making them ideal pets for those who live in close proximity to others. Dogs gnaw on shoes, cats sharpen claws on sofas, and a ferret does … But there are no feral (wild) colonies of domesticated ferrets in the United States. See details. If you try to place all of the food for your ferret in their enclosure at the start of the day, then you might find yourself taking care of a sick animal later because they tend to gorge themselves. When you own at least two ferrets, then you don’t need to be social with them for hours on end every day. I have a dresser that is about 110 years old and I found a signature on the inside but I can’t make out what it says. It’s not just small or shiny objects that they’ll collect either. Outgoing and amiable – It is a smell that is rather musky thanks to its production from the anal glands of the animal. If you have dogs at home, then you will need to keep them separated at all times for the safety of both animals. The Pros and Cons of Ferret Ownership. This smell can be kept to a minimum by cleaning out your ferrets' cage three or more times a week and by weekly or monthly bathing with a baby shampoo. They Smell There are cases when some object to the smell of ferrets. Should You Microchip Your Ferrets? 3. 4. Grapes are toxic to them. I personally now have three ferrets. The pros and cons of having rabbits as a pet depends on the amount of time you can dedicate to their care and upbringing. Lots of homeless ferrets live in rescue shelters, so, if you do decide to add one to your family, it's a great idea to rescue. You will also find that there is a large selection of treats and toys that are available. Like dogs and cats, you will also want to consider spaying or neutering your ferrets (called “de-sexing”) since the females will stay in perpetual heat if this does not happen. The pros and cons of having two ferrets vs one. Ferrets. They are playful; Extremely Intelligent; Friendly and Social; Full of Energy; Easy to Keep; Perfect in Pairs; Ready available food and litter . Ferrets can provide hours of entertainment -- in fact, you should interact with your ferret for at least two hours a day. That being stated, ferrets can make fantastic family pets for families with older kids offered they are monitored and demonstrated how to correctly handle them. May not be great around young children; Must always keep doors closed; Don't play well with other animals; Can be smelly if not cared for regularly; May Not Be Great Around Young Children. Even if you give them an entire room that they can keep to themselves, it may still be inadequate to meet their needs. However, in truth, rats have a high level of intelligence. When you have a ferret as a pet, then you must keep your doors and windows closed at all times. Keeping these wild creatures as pets has become a trend over the recent years. Most learn successfully by following the same principles that you would follow when training a small dog. If you have more than one ferret at home, they will even team up to make the process of catching them even more difficult, but it is still a lot of fun – even if it can be frustrating at times. These lovable weasels are absolutely adorable and make for a fantastic, entertaining pet that you can easily bond deeply with. Just like with any animal, there are benefits and drawbacks to owning a rat. Ferrets are highly intelligent animals. 2. Another tip is to put food, water and beds in other corners so your ferret only has a few corners to choose from. They love to play and are likely to think of you as a toy, too. Paperback $ 12.97. These intelligent animals love to play a game of hide-and-seek when you have them out of their enclosure for some controlled bonding time. Training ferrets not to bite is … That means you must take the time to ferret-proof your home. The one annoying trait these animals have is the desire to collect things that they find to be interesting. They have amazing personalities and are a joy to own. They won't hesitate to scratch and scrabble at a door they want to get to the other side of, or to try to burrow into your sofa. Join The Club. Most pet stores have dedicated ferret foods. However, it is musky and strong. 6. Once you have worked with your ferret to accept handling, you will discover that they are very sociable creatures. No one can get bored when together with a rabbit. Try giving them some scrambled eggs, cooked meat, or even some raw meat if you want. Ferrets have access to numerous animal-specific options. Many people object to the smell of ferrets; others don't find it a problem. In this case, the pros and cons are balanced, but not every owner is able to love his pet so much as to forgive his endless thirst for activity and naughty attitude. Ferrets do not respond well to being handled roughly. Ferrets are generally animals who are loving, friendly, and loyal. When living in captivity, it can be up to 20% longer. 3. Similarly, ferrets love to get underfoot, so if your home is a … Accidents happen and despite the best of ferret-proofing, some ferrets have been able to slip out of the family home. Once you get to know a ferret, you're likely to fall in love with it. Rats are intelligent animals. I don't think i would be satisfied with any less. Because the ferret is closely related to polecats and weasels, they can cause significant damage to the natural landscape if they are released or escape to become semi-feral. You will find that the antics of a ferret can help to keep you entertained for hours on end. If you are thinking about the addition of a pet to your home, then these are the pros and cons to consider of having a ferret as a pet. Information About Short-Haired Male Hamsters. It is necessary to say to everyone who is interested in ferrets as pets. Though domestic ferrets are not usually aggressive, their excitement and interest in games can lead to tugging, chasing, combat, and hunting. This moment follows from the previous ones. Their gastrointestinal transit time is quite vast, so they are going to the bathroom all of the time. As with any pet, pros and cons exist to owning a ferret, which you should consider before you take one home. Ferrets can be Messy and Destructive Members save with free shipping everyday! Ferrets. Also, the females must be de-sexed as they stay in heat if they are not. What Items Do You Need for a New Hamster? If you are unable to provide a single ferret with the attention that they need, then this is not the pet for your home. Any guesses? Odor that never really goes away odor that never really goes away find. Not just small or shiny objects that they’ll collect either type of cage that would be suitable for good. The amount of time you can easily be trained to defecate in a litter box as... 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