Is a ferret a good pet for an eight year old boy?

Ferrets are ALOT of work. I had to give up my two ferrets a couple of years ago because I didn't have enough time to constantly clean up their feces. They're really sweet and cuddly but they're poop machines! It's like taking care of a newborn baby constant care and attention. If your son want a pet downsize it a little bit before you commit to something big.

No.

Ferrets are a huge amount of work, far too much for a young child. They also require extensive training, and they generally come with a powerful bite that is very capable of causing serious injury to small fingers. Not all ferrets bite but every one I met did to begin with. They can be trained but it's way too much for a kid to take on.

ETA: Tish, you are talking sh**. I have six ferrets and have spent time around ferrets for years. They DO bite and they DO break the skin. Have you never heard of the kid who had to have plastic surgery after a ferret attacked her face? I have one ferret that constantly bites despite years of training, she just is the way she is and some ferrets are like that. I can handle and I'm fine with it, but if she was with a kid it would be a different story. Ferrets are great animals for responsible ADULT people. They are NOT pets for kids!

Well it depends. If your son is resposible and active then yes. Ferrets require a lot of work and attention. However they are loving and quite funny. Ferrets love to play and require 2 hours of exersice a day. Most people say the are mean and bite herd. Clearly they have never owned a ferret or owned a good ferret A ferret isnt mean but the do nip but they rarely break skin.

No, they require constant attention and proper handling.

They are very playful yes but they are also very fragile and high maintenance pets.

An 8 year old boy could rough it up and kill it or injure it. If anything it would end up being YOUR pet and he would just be along for the ride.

Any kid would be more into a dog which is self reliable and more vocal to its needs if you can even say that. You cant forget about a huge animal roaming around the house. If he is meticulous and you want to get him a rodent then get him a teddy hamster. They are cute, small, easier to deal with, easier cleaning after them and if handled properly tamed easier.

I would say a ferret is more for a 16- adult sort of stage.

No! Ferrets require a lot of attention because they are so active. Plus they can be mean or hurt when they play because of their teeth and nails. They also require a lot of maintenance and destroy more than a puppy if you don't keep an eye on them. I feel like it would just end up being a headache for you.

Absolutely not! to own a ferret you have to be responsible enough. an eight year old boy is going to think it's 'so cool' then decide not to take care of it. he'll always have 'something else' to do. overall i don't think it's smart to get him a ferret...unless you want to do everything but him call it his own. hope this helps!

yes but only if you like them and you know how to look after them and you wont forget to feed them...

yes i eight year old boy could look after it or them right.....