Ferrets

keithalw · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009, 07:10 AM

I was wandering if anyone could give me some info on ferrets like the neccesaties and what kind of stuff i ned to get started with owning one such as food housing and stuff like that. Any info would greatly be appreciated.

Ophiophilia · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009, 07:58 AM

You could check out this forum that I occasionally visit.
The Holistic Ferret Forum - Home

They promote feeding a natural diet as well as providing general care information.

keithalw · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009, 09:19 AM

Thanks I will be looking into that site

bananasama · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2009, 11:03 AM

Yea definitely check out that site. Ferrets need lots of room, and do best with lots of interaction from their owners, as they are definitely very social animals. I would look into the ferret nation cages, that's what I owned when I was breeding them and that definitely worked very very well. They love hammocks and any sort of toy that you would give to a cat or dog. Also, they sell special ferret food but we always heard from other breeders in the area that cat food actually was better for them and they seemed to enjoy it more. Good luck! They are awesome animals.

Future Snake Guy · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 11:57 PM

ferrets are absolutly awesome, once u break them of that little biting habit they are so much fun to play with! just like banana said u can pretty much give em any kinda cat or dog toy and your set just watch em go. they really dont need that much room just a big enough cage for em to play on and such. iv seen people use 2 or 3 level ones and iv seen some convert whole parrot cages like the monster ones into a cage. if i was you id think about getting 2 because they are so social and thats one of the best things ever is watching two farrets wrestle

Ophiophilia · #6 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 04:57 AM

I'd agree on looking into a Ferret Nation cage. They are simply the BEST you can get (From experience with three different cages, I scored a $50 Ferret Nation and Wow, it's great).

As for food, I'd stick with ferret food that's first 4 items in the ingredients are meat products. Ferrets are STRICT carnivores much like cats and have short digestive tracks. They simply cannot digest grain, vegetables, corn and other junk put in most ferret/cat foods. To use numbers, a dry ferret diet should contain at least 30 – 40 % crude protein and 15 –20% fat.

It's interesting because some people don't realize that ferrets can be maintained on a diet very similar to snakes.

Whole prey! Chicks, mice, rats, and various raw meats. Some people are squeamish at the idea but PSH, WHO'RE THEY? We're snake owners!

I'd also like to add from experience, ferrets smell a WHOLE LOT WORSE on a bad diet as opposed to something they're meant to eat. They seem to produce a lot more musky odor through their skin, not to mention that their poop smells atrocious on cat food.

AGActaeonia · #7 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 05:03 AM

If you're not available to keep it entertained 23 hours per day, I'd recommend getting another as a playmate.

My Asmodean got a little crazy if he didn't have my full-attention.

Future Snake Guy · #8 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ophiophilia

I'd also like to add from experience, ferrets smell a WHOLE LOT WORSE on a bad diet as opposed to something they're meant to eat. They seem to produce a lot more musky odor through their skin, not to mention that their poop smells atrocious on cat food.

and there aint no getting rid of that odor, lemmi tell ya that whole "desenting" thing the vet does dont work lol my cousins smelled just as bad after as it did before

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGActaeonia

If you're not available to keep it entertained 23 hours per day, I'd recommend getting another as a playmate.
My Asmodean got a little crazy if he didn't have my full-attention.

and see im not the only one who thinks u should give it a playmate haha

Ophiophilia · #9 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 05:07 AM

Yeah, agreed. They generally fair better in pairs (or more).

And yeah, the smell never, ever goes away. lol I'm just sayin' that it does indeed smell LESS when not fed a poopy diet. :P

Also, I thought this was an interesting read considering the domestic ferret diet Rethinking The Ferret Diet - VeterinaryPartner.com - a VIN company!.

AGActaeonia · #10 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 05:15 AM

Asmodean was de-scented. It's an out-patient procedure. In and out the same day. He smelled like whatever he was getting in to, but never like the ferrets you see in pet-stores. He was $450.00 and had a star tattooed on the back of his left ear, courtesy of his breeder. Apparently it was her "sigil," lol.

He was a High-White Gray-back, absolutely amazing to be around. He knew I'd be distracted while playing my Xbox (the original), and would swing on the power-chord until it snapped and I couldn't control my game. He'd take the time it took me to get up and plug it back in to tackle my leg and keep me to himself.

Future Snake Guy · #11 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 05:18 AM

ferrets are alot smarter then they are givin credit for, like they CAN learn tricks and stuff if u have the patience to teach something that has the attention span of a toddler.

and even when they stink they are soooooo darn cute!

Ophiophilia · #12 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 05:35 AM

Haha! That's cute.

keithalw · #13 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 08:44 AM

I do thank all of you for your help. I have been looking at a few ferret forum sites and a lot encourage raw feeding which is what Ophiophilia was saying lol. We are snake owners we could handle it=)

I know as of right now I could only afford one and my girl is really wanting this over a xbox 360, camcorder, or netbook. So I know to start off (knowing it will be like snakes) one but defintly get more.

Do any of you know what I need to look for at the petstore as far as getting a healthy one?

And thanks for all of your input and help.

SnakeRescueNY · #14 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 08:48 AM

I'll tell ya one thing and one thing alone. Ferrets are very smart. turst me on that one lol

bananasama · #15 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 10:19 AM

Personally, like most animals including snakes, I would try to find a breeder in your area first. Most of the time they will be in better health and the breeder will help out with getting any shots they need or even descented if that's what you want to do (even though they will still most likely smell some-frequent cage cleaning necessary hahaha). If you have to go with a pet store ferret, ask a store attendant if they can open up the enclosure for you. Through simple observation of which ones show up to check you out and "play" around with the new object, you should be able to see which are fairly healthy. Plus, all the usual stuff, look for clear eyes, clean coat, etc etc. They will be very playful and interactive with EVERYTHING they see once you open the cage, and that is the best sign of good health.

Ophiophilia · #16 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 06:53 PM

If at all possible, I'd agree on finding a reputable breeder (I have none here, sadly ): )

And basically, Bananasama said it all about the pet store ferrets.

keithalw · #17 (**permalink**) 12-13-2009, 05:57 AM

See i am not sure if they are any around here. I am in mobile alabama. I know that they are few snake people here lol.

Future Snake Guy · #18 (**permalink**) 12-13-2009, 06:04 AM

i personally dont see anything wrong with buying something like a rabbit or ferret from a pet store

there not like reptiles, as long as there active and healthy u can tell they arnt really sick. they dont need all the specifics that reptiles need so its harder for a pet store to screw it up.

bananasama · #19 (**permalink**) 12-13-2009, 06:31 AM

It's definitely not like buying reptiles from a pet store, I will give you that. But the thing is that in most all cases a breeder will handle the animals more (so friendlier and more human social) and will have a larger investment in making sure their animals are healthy.

Future Snake Guy · #20 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 02:22 AM

i mean they may handle it more, but in my experience (the few iv played with and been around) they are all gonna be bity as they are young, its how they play the same way a puppy mouths you, and as for the social i dunno if i agree they are extreamly social to begin with and actually are around many more people in the open pet store with all kinds of kids and stuff tapping at there glass getting used to it.

as for the health, there is no arguement a breeder is certainly gonna care more if the animal is takin care of, but still u check it for flees and make sure its active and healthy and not starved and any future health problems can be avoided to the best of your abilities

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