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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2012 16:42:38 GMT -5
When I first got into ferrets. I had a single ferret for two years, before I started to add to my business of ferret. He was very spoil ferret. He had plenty of play time, love and went everywhere with me. In my case he did accepted the new comer. But, I also gave extra attention to him at that time. Sometimes a person may not be able to afford another ferret. I much rather see them with one ferret and be able to provided the quality care of taken care of that one ferret. Think about the long term care of ferret(s). Another point would be: If you get two kits at the same time. In future they may get sick in one year...double the vet bill. Spacing out the age difference. May help with the medical cost. Something to think about. Kits are handful...gotta love the kit stage. Just suggestion....I hope this helps.
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Post by crazylady on Nov 17, 2012 18:24:23 GMT -5
Hi my litters are not split until they are 16 weeks old ( in some cases they can be together longer it depends if the males behave themselves ) two of the albinos heather has were not removed from there 2 brothers until they were due to fly at nearly a year old and the other two still live together quite happily I have known females stay together in the wild but not males as they tend to be very territorial and can fight to the death just my two pennies worth take care bye for now Bev
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Post by siorai on Nov 17, 2012 23:37:32 GMT -5
I had my Ishiko as a singlet for three months; I bought her having seen that ferrets only do well in two's and wanted to try my luck with just one. From what I read; plenty of love, time and bonding would make a single ferret work. I think it did for a while, but I wasn't able to be home very much for a week due to work and I noticed a change in her. She didn't get up with me, she wasn't eating as much and she was sleeping when I got home as well. Due to this, I spent every extra minute I could at home with her. This seemed to fix it but I knew then that she needed a friend - so I bought her half-sister. After two months of negotiating with the breeder; her half-sister arrived yesterday. Now, my Ishi, does dook and pant and get excited - but she doesn't really get loud. Just being with her sister for the short period she has been she's dooked louder than I've ever heard her and chattered away like she's asking her sister nonstop questions. She's still very loyal and bonded to me; and I believe she will remain so even as she bonds to her half-sister. So, I think - even if you give them love and affection like I did - they'll survive with it... but, that's not necessarily what's best for their psychological health. For my Ishiko, I think that having another ferret friend who is her size, speaks her language and is not as clunky to play with has made her day. I think if people were able to devote every minute of every day to their ferret friend, another ferret friend would still do a ferret good... because even though they rely on us we can't play with them in the same way. So, if you look at it that way, having two is a way to keep them both mentally stimulated and in tune with their instinctual behavior - while being the darling creatures they are with us humans. I feel that having two is best for me after having one by herself for three months and then seeing the change after just one day with another ferret. I think she's a lot happier so that tells me that I did the right thing.... but I still think it can and does depend on the individual ferret. Think - if you were a human living with a bear and another human came along; how would those two humans react? Humans and ferrets are both mammals so while they may not have the same complicated lifestyle as us; they're similar in their needs to us. You could always adopt a ferret who isn't ferret-friendly if you only want one! That's another option. ~~ Siorai
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2012 8:23:41 GMT -5
Another reason to have multiple ferrets- they can clean each others' ears so you don't have to. ;D Most of mine take care of each other very well so I hardly ever have to except for a couple of the less social ferrets.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Nov 18, 2012 13:01:19 GMT -5
I suppose that i am also a bit selfish since i prefer for my ferrets to play with me. I like to stick my hands in the tunnels so we can play "attack" i like to hand wrestle with them. I carry my ferret all around the house with me when he is awake and i lift him up high so he can see new things. The top of the refridgerator fascinates him for some reason. I do not keep him caged so he has plenty to do when he is awake. always bring new things around them to keep life interesting. let them into rooms that are normally forbidden, take them outside for fresh air and sun. We like to play chase alot. Towel riding is also a big hit around here. If i ever open up my own law firm, my ferret will come to work with me every day.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2012 13:15:20 GMT -5
I had a single ferret for about four months. I have certainly noticed an improvement since I adopted a buddy. Loki is happier, plays more, and tires out more quickly.
Of course, if someone can't afford a second they shouldn't get a second. I also don't think it's cruel as long as the single ferret has plenty of play time and stimulation. I've also heard that some ferrets just can't make friends.
I suppose its similar to rats (I've owned rats for years before owning ferrets). You're "never supposed to keep a single rat" and rat people go crazy when they see a single being kept. But I have known rats that were unable to live with others. Specifically, I adopted a beautiful cinnamon colored boy and he could never integrate into my group. He was violent toward the other rats and me no matter how long I took trying to introduce them,etc. I finally adopted him out to a single rat home and he calmed the freak down and became a loving pet.
So yeah - singles are fine and sometimes keeping a single is necessary due to the temperament of the animal involved. Does a buddy help sometimes? Yes, if you can afford one and pay equal attention to both of the fuzzlets.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Nov 18, 2012 16:29:21 GMT -5
My ferret Al hated other ferrets. he tried to kill them. he was so huge that he inflicted some damage.
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Post by Heather on Nov 18, 2012 18:36:01 GMT -5
I've had a couple who came in and became singles. I mentioned Pooka but I had a pair that came in they were found in a garbage bag at the dump. A beautiful silver and a 'bino. Big ferrets, no tats....either alters or Path Valley. They reminded me of the Path Valleys that I had. Bartamaeus and Balthazzar....Balthazar passed on at about 8 yrs of age, leaving his lifemate behind. Neither would accept other ferrets and would have seriously hurt another ferret when they were a pair. Bartamaeus, walked around in a daze for months working his way among the other ferrets, never paying them any mind. Then it was like he woke up...he attacked and ripped open one of the ferrets that he had been wandering with and from then on, he wanted nothing to do with anyone else. He was a solo for the remainder of his life. He lived to be about 11 yrs ciao
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Post by fuzzyizzy on Nov 19, 2012 0:08:24 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice, I think my best bet will be to see how the kit handles being solo and I may at a later date get a second ferret. I am currently not working as it almost Xmas and when I do go back to work it will be a night shift and my mum will always be home during the day aswell as she is a jeweler with a home work shop. Most likely my ferret will spend most of the day out of the cage and only spend nights and nap time in cage. She will have a rather large cage judt over 2meters high and roughly 1meter across the front. which i have modifeid and now has a tub going out the side and up to the top(on a incline so not straight up) where there as 2 tubs(with air holes of corse) to smaller ones below a longer large tub. The tub enter the first tub which is a blanket filled box (this one is not see through like the other 2) and then another 2 tubes leading to each other box, one a ping pong filled ball pit(which depending on chewing habits may change to rice.. ) and the other I haven't quite decided on and is currently empty.
The breeder I'm getting my kit has said on more then one occasion that my kit will be a spoiled princess.
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