for FERRET OWNERS: better to get 2 or 1 ferret?

Wow. You're not asking for much are you? :)

First off, ferrets in general are time-consuming and expensive. And let me warn you, if you're not patient, then ferrets are not the right pet for you. They will get into anything and everything and often-times have you wondering if they're being bad just to drive you crazy. There are times that they'll have you pulling your hair out in frustration.

Are you ready for a ferret who likes to dig at/destroy your carpet? What about a ferret who likes to climb to the top of your curtains or closet and knock stuff off shelves? What about a ferret who just refuses to be litter-trained? Are you ready to clean up poop (inside and outside of the litter box) every single day? Are you ready to shell out the dough for ferret toys, treats, and high-quality food? (Ferts have a pretty specific diet and to get crap food is just asking for them to get sick.) And are you ready to shell out even more dough when your ferret gets older to care for it when it gets sick? (Adrenal disease is very common in older ferrets and it's not easy or cheap to treat.) There are so many things that go into owning a ferret that to list them all, would be like writing a book.

So, I suggest you go out and buy "Ferrets for Dummies." Its smart, funny, and easy to read. And it covers almost all the bases. It's my ferret-bible.

But as for your question: Whether or not to get 1 or 2 ferrets is a good question. It all depends on your resources. Can you afford a larger cage so they'll have enough room to be comfortable while you're away? Can you afford the vet bills to get them their vaccinations? (Some ferret owners say that vaccines aren't necessary, but, in my opinion, they ARE. Why not take every precaution to make sure that your fert will remain happy, healthy, and, in the case of rabies vaccines, legally protected?) Does your area even have a vet that is familiar with ferrets? (This is a must, because vets who treat fuzz-butts can be few and far between. And just any old vet won't do for day-to-day stuff. There are some ferret-specific illnesses that you really need an expert for and ferrets require different vaccines than dogs and cats so you need a vet that keeps the right ones in stock.) Are you aware that with 2 ferrets you'll be cleaning up twice the poop, doing twice the litter-training and buying twice the food?

On the other hand, ferrets are very social animals and they like having their own kind around. Like the above answerers mentioned, there are just some games that are ferret-only. In the wild, ferrets are solitary animals, but domesticated ferrets like to have a buddies of their own kind - they see them as litter-mates, brothers and sisters. They like having a friend to rough-house with and someone to snuggle up to when they go to sleep. If you can afford the time, money, space and effort for it, I definitely recommend getting 2 fuzz-butts.

As for your concern about a single ferret devoting all it's attention to you - it won't happen. Ferrets aren't like dogs or even like cats. Unless they're really sleepy, or older, they won't snuggle up to you or beg to be pet. It's just the way it is. Ferrets are aloof and much more concerned with playing and driving you crazy than with human bonding time.

I already mentioned a few of the cons of ferret-ownership. They get into EVERYTHING. Every time you think you've got things ferret-proofed, they find a way around it. Ferret-proofing for your furros is an ongoing battle - it will likely NEVER be over.

Also, ferrets are a lot, and I mean A LOT, of work. You have to devote oodles of time to the aforementioned ferret-proofing, to litter-training, to bite-prevention, to poop pick-up, to playing.

I'm not going to outline litter-training here - there's too much that goes into it. See my answer to this question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApLGs...

For biting, see Danielle B's answer on this question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AphP5...

The part where she mentions scruffing the ferret, that's how you discipline them.

Poop pick-up is pretty self-explanatory...

Playtime is a big deal. Ferrets are active animals and can't be cooped up in a cage all day like a hamster. They get depressed and can become aggressive and mean. But on the flip-side, you can't let them just wander about willy-nilly like a cat - there's just too much out there that's harmful. So, what you're going to end up needing to do is letting them out for a while before school, then again when you get home and again before you go to sleep. Which is going to seriously cut into your social life unless you have someone helping you.

But, ferrets can be a joy to have. They are funny, sweet, playful, cute as hell, and entertaining.

I wouldn't give up my babies for the world and I love them to death. But, honestly, if I had known going into it how much time and effort they require, I don't think I would have gotten them.

All in all, ferrets are a MAJOR responsibility... They're not for the faint-hearted or the lazy. If you're at all unsure whether or not you'll be able to give one ferret the devotion it needs, then don't get one, let alone two.

Good luck - I know this is a lot to absorb. Just make sure you're making the right decision. :)

-Swan (formerly NotSoSwan - yeah... I'm back...)

Owner of 4 ferrets: Ghost, Calypso, Bear, Fin

A common question is whether to buy one ferret or two. There are both positives and negatives to this argument. Two ferrets cost twice as much and get into twice as much trouble. However, two ferrets is the way to go if you can afford it. Ferrets are not like dogs. While they will bond with humans, they still need ferret companionship. Ferrets are very communally-oriented animals.

Having two ferrets helps keeps them from being bored and depressed if you're not home all day. Ferrets enjoy each other's company and almost always get along. Ferrets enjoy sleeping in a pile and playing special games only ferrets can play. Ferrets love to wrestle, bite and chase each other in mock combat. They are only having fun and get great exercise when this goes on. While humans can play many games with ferrets, there are certain natural ferrets games only ferrets can play. Having two ferrets is not only rewarding for the ferrets, it is also rewarding for the owner. Once you see for yourself two ferrets playing one of their silly games, you will never regret getting two. It is simply one of the funniest things to watch.

Ferrets also love grooming and cleaning each other from time to time. While it does not seem as important a routine as cats attach to it, I nevertheless believe they do benefit from this in a way which a human cannot be a substitute for. I have observed them licking each others necks, ears, faces, tails and so forth. I do give them a bath about every fourteen days, but nothing beats a custom grooming from another ferret.

As far as the litter training, this website gives excellent information and a simple to follow instruction set:

http://my.en.com/~rcmcr/info.html

Ferrets are really a lot of fun, good luck!!

One you see ferrets play with each other you will see that they should never be without another ferret. Ferrets are very social creatures and love the company of another ferret. Two ferrets aren't much harder than one, there is more poo and more feed but that is pretty much it, plus you get twice the ferret-y love. I have four ferrets. My first ferret Rosco took about two weeks to get used to my second, Foofu. Ferrets will often be a bit depressed when another ferret is introduced if they haven't had another ferret in their life since they were very young but this passes. They just don't know how to interact with another ferret is all that it is. Soon they learn to play with each other and sleep together, eat together, and cause trouble together. =3 Good luck with your decision!

Definately get two - they like the company. Most rescues will not adopt out single ferrets for this reason (unless they are going to a home that already has a ferret needing a friend).

It is a complete myth that having two ferrets will make them less friendly towards you! As long as you give each ferret plenty of love and attention they will be great pets - regardless of how many of them you have.

I had 2 ferrets both loved eachother and us as much. If you are going to be around them often they will be your best friend but if you are going to be gone or have little time then they have another companion to hang out with. But then the evil minds share in devious plots to steal shiny things!! They are very easy to litter train just plce the boxes in the corners and if they go outside of the box put the droppings in the box and they will find it. They are very sneaky sometimes and like to burrow so be careful when you sit down on the couch or grab a blanket they might be there..as far as tricks and such..good luck!

Best to get 2 so that they have a snuggle buddy when you are not around, even if you get 2 or more they will love to be with you either way. I will say that males like to be held more then females most of the time, but male seem to like to bit a little more then females when they are young, it's pretty easy to litter train them if you put time in to it, I put they poop in the litter box so that they would know that was were to go.

I had 2 ferrets and they got along just fine, you can clicker train them and make them do stuff :) I love ferrets!! There's a lot u can do with them. Get mags on them

get two. they will be friends. get a big cage aswell. They love big cages with obsticals