baby ferret

Lrptls · 11-23-04, 04:50 PM

i'm geting a baby ferret soon, i was going to get an older ferret but i think i would like to raise one. if i could adopt one that is what i would do but i havn't heard back from the nearest rescue yet.

i was wondering if i introduced my baby ferret to my pet rats if they would get along and would one day play together.

should i try it or do you think the ferret will hurt the rats even though its very young?

snakers55 · 11-23-04, 04:52 PM

I had 3 hamsters once that I found outside and my ferret dug through the screen lid and shredded all of the hamsters.. I would be very careful doing that, ferrets are born predators..

Lrptls · 11-23-04, 04:55 PM

thats what i'm afraid of but i thought if the ferret was young enough he might get use to them. i wouldn't let them be together withought me eyeing them like a hawk. if the ferret did try to play but just played too rough than i wouldn't try it again.

snakers55 · 11-23-04, 05:04 PM

Why not just get 2 ferrets??

Lrptls · 11-23-04, 05:06 PM

i really only want one

capsicum · 11-23-04, 05:26 PM

Ferrets are predators of rats, mice and birds...don't let them near each other!

TK

BoidsUnlimited · 11-23-04, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lrptls
i really only want one

Then you better be prepared to spend a TON of time with it.

Ferrets are VERY social.....two is always best.

silent_truth · 11-23-04, 06:06 PM

yeah, I have to say that with ferrets, more than one is a lot easier in some respects than just a single. They are really one of the most social animals I've ever seen. Ferrets have soooo much energy and if they do not have another ferret to expend that energy with, they will need that from you which means A LOT of your time being spent on the floor with your pet. They need this attention everyday as well as cage maintenance. I currently own two ferrets plus my girlfriend's ferret is staying with mine indefinitely due to uncontrollable circumstances. Here's some pics....

the room that they often have the run of with their "jungle gym" as well....there are a lot more hammocks in the cage now as well as a gradual slope off the "ramp" to the ground beside the cage.

Ferrets are a ton of fun, but also a lot of work. They will require vet care as well, which can get expensive. Also a lot of ferrets get health problems as they reach ages of 5 and 6 years old. Despite the "obstacles" one must deal with when owning a ferret, they are the most rewarding little animals ever.

-Adam

justinO · 11-23-04, 08:39 PM

even more rewarding then prairie dogs?

silent_truth · 11-23-04, 08:43 PM

Hey Justin, I dunno about more rewarding than prairie dogs......I think it's a pretty equal match. Ernie is so attached to me now, he doesn't want to stray too far and returns to climb up my pant leg. Gotta love pd's too! Alright, it's official I'm addicted to animals. What can I say?

Napeesh · 11-23-04, 10:43 PM

Prairie dogs.......they are pain my *** if you ask me. I guess im from saskatchewan so i am kinda prejudiced against them.

nita · 11-23-04, 10:58 PM

I think htey are great little critters but way to much work for me I'll stick to 15 snakes over a ferret anyday. My sisters BF has 4 of them and is always looking to get more, I think they may be as addictive as snakes, I would second the not putting them with the rats, they are from the weasle family and great little hunters. I would keep an eye on any snakes you have too since they will kill snakes too!!

mykee · 11-23-04, 11:33 PM

AS for furry rodents, ferrets are the top! I own an 8 year old albino and she gets along well with my dogs, but I would never let her near one of my rats.

Terri · 11-24-04, 12:47 AM

Ferrets are great pets, but I agree 2 are better than one.but as for being natual hunters,my experience is a little different. I adopted 2 at the age of 4 years. In the summer they lived in a big cage in my mouse/rat trailor,with a big pipe run that led to a big outside cage.When ever I was in the trailor they were able to run loose. Never did they try to get into the rat cages or the mouse tanks. Even if there were escapes they never paid any attention to them. On occasion the ferrets would get loose in the trailor unsupervised but I never lost a rat or mouse to them.In the winter they lived in the house and again, never a problem with the 15 snakes,iguanas, degus,cats or any other animal we have had.
Just my experience with my two boys. I miss you both, R.I.P.

rockney · 11-25-04, 04:44 PM

I raised my ferret since he was five weeks old . It is not easy work , I was up every three hours feeding him sofened warm food . It is not as easy as it may seem . It is very rewarding however . About the rats I don't think that is a very good idea , ferrets are natural hunters and for years people kept ferrets to hunt rabbits , they can do major damage . When my ferret was six weeks old , he accidently bit my finger and well bit the tip of it off ,I'm not kidding . They can be very rough players too , so I recomend not to have your ferret play with your rats . If you have any questions about ferrets you can email me at gagno@shaw.ca