Ferret owners.. Are ferret's good pets?

Ferrets are a PAIN IN THE BUTT! I have two, and it's like a full time job taking care of them. They need tons of attention, every day. They get sick sometimes. They will KILL your guinea pig if they get the chance. They produce insane amounts of poop, and it's hard to litter box train them, so I have to clean my carpet a lot. You have to clean out their cage every week to control their smell, and some people are still offended by the smell. So be prepared for a lot of work!

Fortunately I love my ferrets and I have the time for them. They are a lot of fun, and they make me happy.

You should know that ferrets are overpopulated and there is a high demand for ferret shelters. Why is that? Because people buy them from Petco thinking they are a fun, exotic animal, and they turn out to be too much work, so people dump them at a shelter, or worse, they abandon them in the wild where they die within a week. So, be prepared, and buy from a shelter!

I would bloody well hope you wouldnt put a ferret in with a guinea pig.

No, ferrets have not choked and killed dogs, I dont think you understand ferrets at all if you thought they were even capable of that, their bodies dont have that sort of muscle, and even then a ferret probably wouldnt WANT to kill a dog, they usually enjoy playing with them.

Are you sure you have the money? In the US ferrets can cost hundreds of dollars, and you can count on paying at least £200 in the UK, or $150 USD for a good cage, then about another £50 or $30 odd on toys. Then there's the vet bills...spaying female ferrets is necessary for their health and males make better pets when neutered...this is an expensive operation, I paid £90 for each of my 3 ferrets, thats £270,,,not sure what it costs in America. Ferrets are also prone to hurting themselves and getting ill, and the vets fees can be very expensive for them.

Do you have four and a half hours to spare a day? Because that is the time a ferret will need to roam, to say nothing of the cleaning up, the training and the feeding. They are a lot more time consuming than you think.

Have you actually ever spent time with ferrets? It doesnt sound like you ACTUALLY know a lot about them, it just seems like you've seen a picture and think they are cute. If you honestly think they could strangle a dog, you dont know the first thing. I suggest you do a lot of reading before you even consider it...try googling "Ferret FAQ", and the "Fert man" care guide, and reading the book "Ferrets for Dummies" before you consider getting ferrets.

Well, that's good that you wouldn't put a prey animal and a predator in the same cage (or give them the same play time, either). No, ferrets can't kill dogs. Dogs can and have killed and eaten ferrets, though.

I have heard of ferrets severely injuring and killing cats and prey animals (rabbits, birds, mice, rats, guinea pigs, etc).

Research would have told you that ferrets are very intelligent (they are smarter than smaller groups of primates, dogs and cats). If you get a cheap cage then yes, a ferret will escape. I recommend Ferret Nation 142 models--they are spacious, safe, and easy to clean.

Do I think a ferret is right for you? At this time, no. Save your money (for the ferret, supplies, vet bills, etc), and do a lot of research. Really get to know what you will be spending the next 6-8 (even 10) years doing. Know about proper diets, diseases, toys, behaviors and how to discipline. Then think about getting a pair of ferrets.

Good luck.

I love ferrets if I had more room I would have more ferrets.

I have ferrets in the same room as 7 dogs a rabbit 4 rats and many reptiles. I would be more worried about the dogs eating the ferret than the ferret hurting the dogs.

I have only had one incident of my ferret opening the door I quickly remedied that using snap shackles http://www.seattlefabrics.com/Leash%20Clip%20Style... which were like $3.00 for 10 where I live.

The ferret won't choke and kill your dog. They can fight back if attacked by one, but truth is that any larger dog will have the advantage. Suggest that you check the site below and get as much info as you can on ferrets. Yes, they are smart and you're cage will have to be well secured. They also need playtime with you everyday. Do your research well before you ever get one.

Ferrets are amazing pets but require lots of responsibility. They really don't stink too bad as long as you spot clean the cage daily and do a full cleaning once a week. Also, make sure to use a litter box because it makes cleaning the cage a breeze once your ferret is trained. FERRETS ARE AMAZING!!!! Don't listen to those nay sayers. XD

The ferret is more in trouble from death by dog than the dogs from him. I would not recommend getting a ferret, they need at least 2 hours outside their cage (and a large cage at that, they can't stay in small cages). Outside it they are like hyperactive two year olds on speed--they need to be constantly watched. They get into literally everything, and can get out of their cages if you aren't paying attention.

Seriously, I'd wait on getting one till you don't have dogs. One bite from a dog and you'd have a dead ferret.

They are a good pet. Mine learned how to open the cage but I was able to fix that problem. They do need a lot of time and are very expensive. You also need to make sure you have a ferret vet in your area. I had one and then she left my vet and I had to go on a hunt for a new one. They need a lot of time and care to. Do a lot of research before getting one.