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I wish I still had a ferret... I love those little varmints... They live about as long as cats (a bit less in my experience) and are pure comedy. I would get at least two, as one ferret is funny, but two are hilarious. You won't need to watch TV anymore with two of them wrestling around the living room. IMO, they need to live in a (large, multi-level) cage with lots of supervised time outside of it. But never left in the home unsupervised. They also need a LOT of time early in life to be socialized, and even more if you want any semblance of potty training. (Use the same bathroom in their cage as outside of it so they get the idea... whether its a litterbox, pie plate, etc). They are def NOT a pet to buy without some research and dedication. The cons: Almost every ferret you run into will already have it's stinky glands removed, but they are still a little smelly. They can damage property and get stuck in walls, vents, etc. (hence the reason why I say leave in cage unless you are supervising them)

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Great!! Thanks for the information!

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I have two really adorable ferrets up for adoption I don't seem to know where to go to try and get the word out. I am also worried about finding someone who is a "Ferret experienced owner." Can anyone help? Thanks.

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Your in Hoboken, NJ? Thats not too far from me so let me ask around and see if anyone knows anything for ferrets.

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I own two ferrets, both of them rescues. The biggest problem with ferrets is that because they're so cute, a lot of people get into owning one before knowing the facts. I feel so bad seeing that my three local ferret rescues are overflowing with abandoned feasels. Poor guys. Here's the lowdown: Ferrets need a multilevel cage, but not the biggest one you can find. All they really do in their cage is eat, drink, poop, and sleep. By the way, they sleep 14 hours a day. They're really intelligent critters and unless you're willing to give them a minimum of two hours playtime outside the cage daily, they'll become bored and depressed. Ferrets are social animals and most would suggest owning three. Unless you can provide LOTS of interaction between you and your ferret, it'll become depressed without a partner. The problem with two is that when one dies, the other risks mourning it to death. All the same, my two get along too well and I don't feel I can afford the vet care for a third. Speaking of vets, they need vacines against both rabies and canine distemper. They're also succeptible to adrenal disease in old age. As for smell, they do have a unique odor but it's manageable with some effort. Frequent baths only irritate their skin and make them produce MORE musky oil, so they shouldn't be bathed more than 4-5 times a year. Instead, changing their litter daily and washing cage materials (hammocks, old shirts, towells, etc) will take away a HUGE amount of the smell. In my opinion, the pros certainly outweigh the cons. They are intelligent, playful, mischievous, and content to play with their owners for hours on end. Ferret ownership is continually rewarding. Every time I see Sphinx hide his favorite ball or Griff curled up sleeping in a seemingly impossible position, I can't help but smile to myself. To get a better idea of ferret ownership, check out Ferrets For Dummies. It's by far the best ferret book out there. Every ferret owner should own it.

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That's good to know. I think people should dom research before they buy any pet. We decided not to go with the ferret, but with two chinchillas. Since we have had a chinchilla already we figured it would be a little easier on both of us. My husband still wants a ferret badly, but I don't think that it would get along with a chin!

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my friend has a ferret who lives in the house and her husky thinks its her baby

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That's sweet. I have heard of dogs getting along with ferrets. It's the ferret/chinchilla mix that I am curious about.

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also female ferrets have to mate they can do it with a hob that has been nuetured. They don't have to get pregnant just mate when in season

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So if you only have a female ferret, she absolutely has to mate? What would happen if she didn't?

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unfortunatly she would die if she didnt mate every season

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Wow, see those are things you need to know before you go ruch into buying one! Thanks for that info!

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no problem glad to be of help

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I learn more and more on this site! You guys are awesome!

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Yes, whole female ferrets would have to mate every season or they risk a blood-clotting illness, I forget what. Whole males are worse, every breeding season they must be removed from any other males/females or they'll kill one another because of how territorial the males become. Luckily it's nearly impossible to find a whole ferret. Before they go to pet stores they are neutered/spayed and descented. I've never seen an unspayed female, and I've met over 200 ferrets. Out of them, I've only seen one breedable ferret and that was my Sphinx. Luckily for him they had him off to the vet as soon as he arrived at the shelter. He really is amazing. He's a textbook example of a siamese point color and unbelievable size and muscle tone. If there were ferret shows, he'd be a serious contender. It's no wonder he was kept as breeding stock before he came to me. And as for ferrets getting along with animals... Dogs can learn to love ferrets and vice-versa. They just have to be monitored because dogs with high prey instincts will kill a ferret quickly. I don't think cats would be as good, because they all have high prey instinct. I've keep all other animals away from a ferret, because they are natural ratters. They'd probably assume the chinchilla was lunch rather than a friend.

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AWWWW Poor chinchillas!

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my friends husky adores Sasha and snuggles her and everything she even protects her

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hi im bandits friend with the ferret....around where i live you cant find ferrets that are not breeding stock for some reason otherwise thats what i would have got for myself...an altered female. my husky really adores the ferret treating her like a puppy and protects her above anything else....they only thing that drives me nuts is the consatnt playing

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Hi, i am annette. Yes I have 3 ferrets. the first one pickels, i bought about 3 years ago, for $130.00 then $100.00 on the cage. then 3 months ago a coworkers son GAVE me a 4 story cage food bedding etc. and 2 3yr old ferrets! glory and bear. Just today I found out about an informative website www.ferretcentral.com havent visited it yet but check it out. the dogs dont like the ferrets real well, but i put them outside, and all 3 run loose in the house and play with the cat! good luck. oh also check out if there is a ferret rescue close to or in your area. that would be a good idea. just let me know if you have any questions. sincerely netterz

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hi there, we have four ferrets. it is true they are funny pets but they are not good pets for everyone. they will: - pee and poop on your carpet i have heard you can litter train them but haven't ever had any success with that. -they will eat small things on the ground (ours had to get an operation to get something removed) they even eat ear plugs so be careful -they need alot of time out of the cage we ferret proofed our house so they just run around all day and go in there cage at night. they have more energy then my cats. -they will scratch your carpet and at any closed door or closet. they are curious and won't except a closed door. -they do smell my husband is the only person i have ever met that thinks they smell good. it is a strong smell even when descented. -they will steal socks, underwear and small soft toys. -they will play bite you in the toe not hard but it is just a warning. -they can get under and into small spaces and they like to sleep in drawers. they are very cute, funny, silly little animals that i am willing to lose my home to. but they will destroy it to some degree and if you are a neat freak or are renting then you may want to consider another pet. i love mine and wouldn't trade them for anything but they can be a hand full and this is a pet you should definatly research before getting.