What are all the pros and cons of a pet ferret? Should I get a Hamster?

pros of ferrets...

1. super smart

2. can learn (some) tricks

3. very adorable and loving

4. live longer than hamsters

cons of ferrets

1. ferrets will steal anything shiny and love to hide them (still haven't found my keys from two years ago)

2. smelly

3. expert escape artists

4. take up more room and need constant attention

pros of hamsters

1. super cute

2. you can get those cool little add ons to there cages and watch them run around

3. cheaper than ferrets, vet bills and cage requirments

4. it's not quite as sad when they pass away

cons of hamsters

1. very stinky pee

2. bite (but ferrets bite sometimes too, especially females from my experience)

3. can't teach them anything besides running on there wheel which is sometimes all you hear in the middle of the night and can keep you awake.

4. they sometimes pee on you

Good luck! Hope you have fun with whatever you get!!!!

Ferrets are very high maintenance animals! They are expensive, they get sick easily, they make a mess, poop all over, they need lots of attention and a minimum of 4 hours free time every day. Also, they live longer than rodents, about 12 years, so do you know for sure that you're going to give your ferret the care it needs until you are 24? What about when you go to college? If you are still considering getting a ferret, do a lot of research, so all the hard work doesn't catch you by surprise.

Ferrets are great animals, very smart, funny, gorgeous and interactive, and here comes the big BUT:

they are very labor intensive. You have to keep them clean to avoid your house smelling like litter box. Ferrets are litter box trainable, but most are not 100%, so you will have poops on the floor. They are not like little hamster poops either.

Ferrets need fed and watered like all animals, you have to bathe them once in a while (no more than once a month), clip their nails, clean their teeth and ears, brush them(daily during shedding season). Ferrets need special ferret food which is usually pretty expensive(no, cat, kitten or dog food is not good enough and the junk they sell at Walmart is downright dangerous for them). Ferret cages and supplies are way more expensive than hamster stuff.

Ferrets need at least one vet visit a year for checkups and shots,(rabies and distemper), unlike hamsters. Then, as ferrets get older, they are prone to all kinds of diseases like insulinoma, adrenal disease and certain cancers which can be treated by a ferret knowledgeable vet, but come with a big price sticker. Then there are your emergencies like bowel obstructions, respiratory problems and injuries that do happen once in a while.

My oldest female had to have a hairball removed(although she had been on hairball prevention). It was causing an obstruction and she couldn't get rid of it herself. So she had surgery. She's fine now, but it cost us about $800. Ferret vets are exotics vets and thus expensive.

Ferrets require a lot of your time, for their care and for interaction. It's recommended they get at least 4 hrs out of the cage playtime and part of that time needs to be spent interacting with you. You may be willing to do that now, but what about 2,3,6 yrs from now?

Your ferret will need you, even when you have a big test in school, a sporting event, a party to attend or a new boyfriend(remember, the ferret may just live long enough to be around for your dating years).

Are you willing to commit your time, love and financial resources to a little critter like that for the next 5 to 10 yrs?

If you're not sure, don't get one. It just wouldn't be fair.

I'm glad you are doing your research BEFORE you actually run out and get one on impulse. Too many people are not as considerate as you. I think you make an excellent pet owner. Good luck to you.

Ferrets can live up to 15yrs. It's not just now you have to consider but potentially the next 15yrs. You're twelve now, but what about when you start wanting to go out more with your friends, dating, college/Uni marriage, kids?

Hamster live 2-3yrs. Better option for you unless your mom is willing to take on the ferrets (2 ferrets are best kept together) if one off the above arises.

Ferrets are great pets, but can be a handful and demand your attention. Check out the site below for good info on ferrets, including handling, feed, care and health issues.

Ferrets are a lot of work, they're messy, they're expensive, they need shots every year, they need a lot of out of cage time. They're more like cats or dogs than small animals. For a twelve year old I would recommend a guinea pig or hamster. If you get two make sure they're the same sex or else they'll breed.

Ferrets are very cute and you can buy two or three of them and they will be happy together, they are social animals. Downsides: They will need a large cage and several toys to entertain them.

Make sure that they have been descented. Most "Marshall's" ferrets are descented and neutered/spayed. If a female ferret hasn't been spayed and goes into heat, and isn't 'serviced', it can die. Make sure they are up to date on shots. They require shots every year if i remember correctly.

BIG WARNING: Ferrets have a very short digestive system. When they wake up, they immediately have to poop. Once they've gone, you can play with them for a half hour. If they start to look frantic and run back to their cage, nature calls.

If ferrets have been descented, they will not smell bad, but always have a slight 'musk' to them. Their feces can smell very strongly though and you will want to clean out their corner litter boxes every two or three days. Shorter if you have three all using the same box. You will end up cleaning up a lot of ferret poop, so be ready for it to be a semi-daily chore.

They are also nocturnal so they will play and make noise, little chirps and barks at night, so you might not want them in the bedroom with you.

Honestly anyone below 16 saying "I'm really mature" doesn't really hold much water for me, but a ferret is a good balance of responsibility and fun.

i got my first ferret when i was 11 years old so i know how you feel. she has been with me now for six years. she is wonderful and so is the companion i got for her a year later. if you want an animal that can go anywhere with you, will sleep on your lap, swim, give you kisses, and really love you, you will want a ferret. they have so much personality. but they need ATTENTION.every day. this little life will depend on you to survive. you are completley responsible for this life. and as ferrets age, they will without a doubt have medical problems. they are prone to adrenal disease. that leads to expensive surgery. mine was 5 years old when she needed adrenal surgery. and never feed your ferrets sugary treats except fruit. no candy, soda, cakes...this will lead to serious health problems down the road.

but my baby girl licks my face, she follows me everywhere, i bring her places with me in a messenger bag where she sleeps. i walk her outside, and sometimes when i let her roam the house she will sleep snuggled up to me in my bed at night.

good luck, but remember whatever you decide, this life will depend on you for survival. i got azzie when i was still playing with toys, now i am graduating high school, and i don't know what i am going to do when i go to college.

go with a ferret. hamsters just sit in cages. you can play with ferrets

you have to ferret proof the house which is alot worse than baby proofing if there head can fit through there body can.