Dogs and Ferrets

[Deleted]

I currently have 5 dogs, all chihuahuas and pomeranians.

Since having my ferret approx 3 weeks, i have been slowly introducing the dogs to the ferret. Always/Only under my supervision do they ever cross paths. Sometimes i feel that all 5 is too overwhelming for the ferret so i'll leave only 1 or 2 out at a time with the ferret. I let them meet/see each other almost everyday yet my ferret doesn't seem to be warming up to the dogs that much.

Is there anything i can do to change this?
Those that have dogs and ferrets, how did you deal with this situation? how did you get them to become friends ?

[goingpostal]

It's considered fairly irresponsible to allow dogs and ferrets to interact, yes some people do and sometimes it goes fine. Often it doesn't and every year it seems I read of 3-5 more ferrets lost or severely injured because of a dog. I used to allow my first ferret to interact a little with my oldest dog, once we added more ferrets and more dogs it became safer to keep everyone apart.

Many of my later ferrets had poor experiences with dogs in previous homes and either feared or would try to attack them. Dogs are predators, ferrets are predators and both tend to react much faster than humans can. Animals are unpredictable. A playful paw or an angry nip will end the same way and it takes very little to fatally injure a ferret. With smaller dogs like yours you run the risk of the ferret harming them as well. A ferret chasing a dog is cute but I've had 7 ferrets at once and they would act like a pack trying to take down my 10# cat if she went to their level when they played upstairs.

Ferrets have killed cats, rabbits, birds, rodents and reptiles. They know where to bite to cause damage and may also nip out of play but since they bite quite hard many times a dog will bite back to correct them. I stupidly let my newest male sniff one of my dogs and he latched onto her lip and wouldn't let go. This particular ferret killed a bird in his last home. My dog didn't react but if she had he wouldn't be here today and it would be 100% my fault.

[Heather]

I do not advocate dog and ferret mix either. Yes, dogs do work with ferrets in the field but these dogs are trained from the get go as to what their job is and what the ferret's job is. I've seen too many near misses, read of too many deaths to say do this. As far as having that many dogs in with a ferret no...absolutely not. A dog moves far faster than we can think, it takes a second to do a death shake and then it's all over...and the size of the dog is irrelevant. I watched a pup, about 4 months put the move on a ferret. The ferret was lucky, he got away with a gash on his shoulder. That could have been a very unhappy incident. The ferret is actually (unusual for them) being smart about this he's not into it. Don't force the issue. Put the ferret away when the dogs are out....it's really simple. No...no dogs with ferrets.
ciao

[Sherry]

I agree. I've read of far too many deaths and severe injuries to ferrets, and a ferret could seriously injure a small dog. And even if you have them BOTH on a leash you could not react fast enough. Keep them apart for the health and well being of all.

[Deleted]

You should be very careful introducing dogs to ferrets. It can be OK, but it can be dangerous.
I have dog I brought in my home with cat and ferrets. He is a rescue puppy and is very submissive. He was very small when I introduced him and there was no risk. He is now completely grown a size of a cat. In fact my cat is much stronger and heavier. He now respects the ferrets and they are part of family for him. I still however supervise his play.
I have only one ferret right now, another passed away and I noticed that since his friend passing Jeepers is a lot nicer to a dog (he used to be rough at times just like he was to other ferrets and even his friend) frequently seeks interaction with him. They currently play very nice and groom each other.

[Deleted]

Sept 13, 2013 6:44:17 GMT -5 @jellycat said:

You should be very careful introducing dogs to ferrets. It can be OK, but it can be dangerous.
I have dog I brought in my home with cat and ferrets. He is a rescue puppy and is very submissive. He was very small when I introduced him and there was no risk. He is now completely grown a size of a cat. In fact my cat is much stronger and heavier. He now respects the ferrets and they are part of family for him. I still however supervise his play.
I have only one ferret right now, another passed away and I noticed that since his friend passing Jeepers is a lot nicer to a dog (he used to be rough at times just like he was to other ferrets and even his friend) frequently seeks interaction with him. They currently play very nice and groom each other.

That is so sad that so many people have had these accidents... One of my dogs absolutely loves the ferret, all he does is groom him. When the ferret is in his cage my dog will go up to the cage and still try to lick him, the ferret doesn't seem to mind at all. I will definitely be even more cautious now ... the ferret has the upstairs part of the house to himself and the dogs have the main floor. it is very easy to keep them separate.

[Sherry]

Part of the problem isn't even aggression or prey drive related. It comes through play, or even just the dog flopping down on the floor as they will do at times.

[Deleted]

I would keep them separated.

Think of it this way, even if it is in play, if your ferret gets hurt by your doggies because you let them play together, you will end up blaming yourself and maybe being mad at your dog. It simply isn't worth the risk. These wee ones rely on us to keep them safe.

I hope you will consider what the others have said

[Deleted]

im no expert, but in my experience, if the dog has grown up with another small animal they will be ok around ferrets ( always under supervision) for example, my boyfriends dog who is completely untrained, reckless, and massive, grew up with guinea pigs... i was worried about introducing my ferrets to him because guinea pigs dont move, while ferrets move alot, he also has chased after rabbits before... i gave it a shot, and he TIP TOES around them! gives them kisses, and is great! my biggest fear is him stepping on them... but thats about it! i guess it just depends on the dog!