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Post by RedSky on Jul 30, 2014 8:36:00 GMT -5
When I first joined the forum I saw a few posts about how ferrets are really social and do far better when kept in a group. Some had pairs, but were warned about only having one grieving when the other inevitably passed. So were recommended to have 3, or 4, or well ferret math and all that  . But now I see so many posts about people waiting to bring their only ferret home, or just picked him or her up and nothing is said. Obviously I understand we don't want to jump on people, especially those new to the forum but do people still feel that ferrets should be kept in groups or is it okay to keep them alone? I understand that not all ferrets like to be with other ferrets, but it is not these that I am referring to but more the individuals who are buying/adopting/getting one youngster from a litter or taking one out of a group and keeping it alone. Just also wanted to share an interesting law I found out the other day, apparently in Sweden it is illegal to buy/sell a single guinea pig unless the buyer already has some they are going to house it with. I know there is a big difference between ferrets and guinea pigs, but both are very social creatures. I wish we had more laws like this. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2014 10:09:52 GMT -5
The Forum really has some lovely ferrents and they only want what 1s best for the ferrent and the1r ferret. You generally won't f1nd anyone really push another ferrent, but w1ll see a gentle l1ttle suggest1on that ferrets are usually happ1er w1th a fr1end.
My f1rst ferret Ponce was an only ferret. L1fe was busy and hect1c, and 1 was home w1th h1m and he never lacked for attent1on. However, after Ponce left us for the Ra1nbow br1dge, we brought home a bonded pa1r. Once 1 saw how much they Loved each other and how much fun, they have play1ng together, 1 w1shed that Ponce had been able to have a fr1end and bonded mate.
1 th1nk 1f a ferrent has a busy l1fe and 1sn't home much, 1ts so much better for the1r ferret to have some one/two or more fr1ends to play w1th and sleep w1th. An only ferret has only the1r ferrent to look to, for Love, fun and st1mulat1on. And as much as we play w1th them, we can't chase them under a bed, cl1mb 1nto a tunnel or even do the W1ld Weasel War Dance correctly!
1 Love that Sweden has passed such a k1nd and car1ng law, for a l1ttle creature l1ke a GP. Sounds l1ke the1r law makers earn the1r paychecks, and have b1g hearts.
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Post by fretki on Jul 30, 2014 13:07:04 GMT -5
We have very strict laws as well here in Switzerland  No selling of single rabbits or guinea pigs... Our law implies keeping 2 ferrets, because the minimum size of enclosure is for 2 (you could keep one, but you still need to respect the dimensions for 2), an autorisation is required and control visits happen every 2-4 years to check if the ferrers are kept according to legal standards... Sent from my SM-G900F using proboards |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2014 13:24:07 GMT -5
I usually never have less than two (currently on the lookout for Icarus to get a new brother or sister) I kind of feel like I wouldn't want to be the only human in a house so my ferrets and dogs should have friends "they can relate to"  |
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Post by racheld on Jul 30, 2014 15:23:36 GMT -5
I have a singly ferret. His shelter momma tried introducing him to others and he reacted aggressively, and I tried introducing him to others with the same result. If he wanted the company of other ferrets he would definitely have it, he just doesn't. (I think it's a communication issue, he's deaf.)
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Post by RedSky on Jul 30, 2014 15:50:16 GMT -5
I have heard about plenty of ferrets (or other animals including people) who don't want to share their space, and that is fine by me. But I personally wouldn't want to take on a single ferret as I don't feel I have the time needed to interact enough while I'm out a lot of the day working.
I suppose it depends a lot on the individual (both pet and human). Like mlabo said it is nice they have someone they can fully communicate with in their own way and species. That said my dog likes to be the only dog in the house, he has some friends that he is okay with but soon gets fed up of them. If we did have another dog it would have to be very independent off him and leave him alone! So not really much point for his benefit. He even gets fed up of us sometimes and takes himself off to a different room for some peace and quiet.
But for baby ferrets (and any animals really) it must be a big shock to go from living with your litter mates to being an only ferret in a new environment.
Thank you for taking your time to discuss, and I hope that some of the laws other countries have can be brought into the UK and US.
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Post by unclejoe on Jul 30, 2014 16:58:33 GMT -5
It might be better for first timers to have one to start. I learned a lot fast with my first and with her it may have been a challenge keeping up with two. Plus they rep so much it's not too difficult for them to adjust to their ferrent's schedule. I don't fault anyone for having a single as long as it gets proper care. But two are more fun if you can handle it.
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Post by Heather on Jul 30, 2014 21:26:47 GMT -5
Solos aren't a bad thing and one thing to consider is that intact ferrets do not respond to friends quite the same way as alters. Tico and Lady Morgain, though they're fond of each other, do not live together most of the time and are not a bonded pair. They're solos. They do run together and do like to spend time together (as long as Tico isn't being a boorish lout)but operate just as comfortably alone. Tico cannot have another male friend as his polecat genes seem to make him believe that all other males (this is including his own siblings) are a threat to his territory. Lady Morgain also of polecat descent will not tolerate any other female in her space. Her sister, Destiny is the same. In the wild these ferrets would live on their own with overlapping territories but not in a friendly way.
I've had a number of alters (farm ferrets) who either lost bonded mates or never had friends who would not accept any new ferret as a friend and were more than happy being a solo. I don't think when getting a ferret that one should feel that getting a second ferret to be a friend for their existing ferret will make their life more complete. I think a lot of people feel pressured to get a companion when they really do not feel they're in a position to either take on another ferret emotionally or financially. I believe this is detrimental to the relationship between the existing ferret and their human friend. Ferrets bond differently to their people and the relationship between them can be very rewarding.
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2014 13:22:07 GMT -5
I think it is best to have two as they are very social, but some ferrets don't like others. My girl Neichei was adopted as a single, and even though she tolerated being with Adrian and then with Juliet, she never played with them and never cuddled them. And before she got sick when she played she would almost never play with me, other than the occasional war dance if I jumped on her. She's not even cuddly to me or barely lets me pet her now that she has insulinoma and I've had her for 4 years, she just doesn't like others. She's alone in the top of my ferret nation because she tries to attack Jules and Cai when they get near her.
But then we have Juliet and Caillou, they absolutely love each other. The first day Cai met Juliet he kept trying to cuddle and love on her, he followed her around everywhere, and he still does. She isn't as obsessed with him, but she still grooms him and gives him cuddles. I would never let Caillou be alone. I'll most likely be getting another fert when Neichei passes, just so when Adrenal takes Juliet, Caillou can have a buddy.
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Post by Kriket on Feb 1, 2018 11:25:15 GMT -5
How do you know if your single ferret would benefit from a buddy? Our girl Pan is about two years old. We adopted her from a family that had 3 but our girl Pan was getting picked on and bullied by the others. She was a bit under weight but otherwise healthy.
Pan is very well behaved, she doesn't nip, she's about 80% litter trained, she either goes in the box or on the pad around the box. She's very playful and snuggly. She plays with the cat as much as she can. (eventually Heti has enough and leaves.) I worry that Pan is lonely/bored sometimes. What are some signs of this? She sleeps when we're out/ sleeping at night and she's out and about in our living room as long as we're home.
Sometimes though, even when we're home and let her out she just wants to sleep.
We've been to the vet and she did have a bit of a cold but she's doing well now.
She grew up with other but was bullied so maybe she's happier to be queen of the castle? She does have the cat sometimes and us of course but I worry anyways.
I asked our vet and she said that as long as she gets lots of free time and playtime with us she could be just fine as a solo. And I know some ferrets prefer to be alone.
How do I tell?
I need to make sure she's fully over this cold and has had her vaccines before I take her to have play dates with others so maybe I'll wait to see how she reacts to others then?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
~K
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Post by Sherry on Feb 2, 2018 7:29:42 GMT -5
Some, females especially, don't like or want other ferrets and are quite happy being solos. One thing to ask yourself- if you get another and they don't get along are you prepared to have two separate playtimes?
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Post by olenka on Feb 4, 2018 13:51:31 GMT -5
We started from one kit just to see how it would go. All my family fell in love with him instantly:) 2 month later we've got another kit from Petco (they are born 1 month apart) I have not noticed any increase in terms of work required. When we've got Ruby, a deaf girl from a shelter, it became a bit harder to clean. She poops all over the place, but we love her any way  All of them are getting alone pretty well. They play together, chase each other, although our deaf girl often walks alone. I definitely recommend everyone to get at least a couple of ferrets. If you are getting a ferret from a shelter, they can "match" newcomer with established ferret(s). We brought our boys to the shelter, so they could meet Ruby to make sure that they like each other. |
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Feb 5, 2018 6:04:37 GMT -5
Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/15781/lone-multiple-ferrets#ixzz56EB99NAZI really like this, but with ferrets you just don't know if they will accept. I think the younger the ferrets--- the better chance they will accept each other. I have two groups now. A lone male who was attacked by my 3 girls---not all at once:) Even my little shortie blaze thought she would show him she was boss. It did not go well for the girls, so now the girls stay in a room while the male is out in the house then vice versa. With Marshall Farms ferrets, I personally like groups. I like to see them play and sleep together. I feel like their life is enriched by another. It doesn't mean things will work out though but if it does---oh yes! |
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Post by olenka on Feb 5, 2018 10:47:04 GMT -5
...in Sweden it is illegal to buy/sell a single guinea pig unless the buyer already has some they are going to house it with... Europe is more civilized (in many ways) Americans are insane (in many ways) Here in USA owners cage their dogs -?! |
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