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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 22:03:27 GMT -5
So I know there's been threads on owning 3 ferrets as opposed to 2 and I think I have a pretty good grasp on the pros (if one dies, the other one won't be left alone, and also if one needs to be away for a while - at the vet or what not, the other won't be lonely) and the cons (more money, food, money!) but lately I just can't get it out of my head that 3 would be better. So what I want to know is the logistics of getting 3 to start.
- I was thinking two girls, one boy - is this a good gender mix?
- is it better for them to be around the same age? I realize if they are that they could all get sick around the same age, but if they aren't then the older ones might get annoyed with the younger ones when they're ready to retire into old age... Or am I over-analyzing this? Haha
- I realize the more money thing but I'm not really worried about the more litter, more food thing... What I want to know is how much money do I need in an emergency fund for three ferrets and how much would I need for just two?
I am a university student, but I'm also on full scholarship and I do work part time so money isn't really an issue for me. I would be off for 4 months when I got them so I'd have lots of free time... But am I going to be overwhelmed by 3? I want your guys honest opinions haha. Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 22:13:48 GMT -5
I think three is a good number. Don't bother with gender/age. Look at the chemistry and who gets along with who. You should always get one roudy one to help get the others playing. I think you're over analyzing it a bit (but what ferrent doesn't?). The price difference between 1-3 isn't much. Vet bills are the biggest concern. But if you have the savings/credit, I wouldn't be over concerned about it  |
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Post by Heather on Apr 20, 2011 22:14:06 GMT -5
I started with 3 years ago. Ages, gender are your preference and or opportunity. My first 3 were all rescues, all under 3, two boys and 1 girl. I was working with a rescue at the time as a foster, so found myself with 7 within the year. Being able to afford and care is the biggest issue. The rest is up to you  . As far as how much money do you need.....good question. Surgeries such as obstructions and adrenal will set you back around a thousand dollars give or take, depending on area that you're in and the vet fees which can range hugely. I've sunk $2 thousand in a weekend for the care of a single fuzz (tests, pre-op, medications, minor surgery and special care supplies...oh...and the fact that no fuzz ever gets sick during the week and you have to pay emergency fees). Napoleon's care for 24 hrs of care in an attempt to treat his congestive heart failure was about $600. That didn't include his euthanasia fee  Ferrets are not a cheap furchild, but in my opinion there is no equal  I love them all ;D ciao |
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Post by goingpostal on Apr 20, 2011 22:46:24 GMT -5
I've never worried about gender or age, big issue is when they are older you can have a lot of issues at once but they can really happen at any age. 3-4 is a really nice group, enough to be a handful but not enough to drive you nuts but everyone has a different level of madness they can handle, over 5 is too many for me.
Emergency fund, $1000-$2000 per ferret available IMO, but depends on your costs locally, seems like just bringing a ferret with an issue in costs me around $300, obstructions are common and usually $1000+, I've never dealt with a normal blockage but my adrenal male had a urinary blockage recently and it was about $1700 all said and done which is a new record for us. Cost is a big factor in owning ferrets so good that you are preparing. I hate using credit but that's usually what happens in a critter emergency.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2011 0:57:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the insight everyone! I would definitely adopt three that were already bonded - so I guess I was being silly worrying about age and gender. Good to know about getting 1 rowdy one! I don't know that I would ever $6000 in my emergency fund at one time (although that would be the ideal amount to have for 3 ferrets probably) but I would keep at least a couple thousand, I have a credit card (never been late on a bill so they don't hate me.. yet ) and I'm sure I'd be able to round up the money before the bill was due in an instance where they all got sick at once - or I ended up with some crazy expensive surgery. I do have a lot of other critters as you may or may not know, but with the exception of the hedgehogs - I bring them all to the vet clinic I work at and I get awesome discounts and they don't make me pay the bill up front, so I feel pretty confident that as long as I don't get fired any time soon, I've got enough of a handle on other pet emergencies (with the exception of after hours - but thankfully my works open 8-9 weekdays, 9-9 saturdays and 10-6 sundays) so I could definitely allocate most of my emergency fund to the ferrets for sure. I just really wish we had an exotics vet, but unfortunately only dogs and cats Now... how on earth do I convince my Mom (who I still live with and who has already agreed that I can have two ferrets)...that three wouldn't be any different than 2? hahaha |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2011 1:00:46 GMT -5
everyone has a different level of madness they can handle That's pretty much the point I would drive home.. I'm a full time college student with a part time job as well as taking care of my sister's dog, sometimes having my three ferrets + a dog is overwhelming. |
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Post by engel on Apr 21, 2011 1:14:27 GMT -5
I would start with 2. you never had a ferret before or have you? sure, they are cute and amazing, but they need a lot of time and all, and they are kittle trouble makers! if you feel you can handle it, you can always add a third one in the future, after your mother got used to the 2 and fall in love with them, and you guys got the hang of handling them. i guess 3 to start with can be overwhelming. and you can get them to a rescue someday in the future for them to choose their future friend to be your 3 ferret. dont overdo yourself, but that is my opinion. is better to have 2 and give all the best you can for them and the one on one time on playing and all than to have 3 and find yourself not being able to handle it somehow. sorry to be the devils advocate here.  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2011 5:17:32 GMT -5
I have to agree with you, Engel. I started out with one, ended up with two while working two jobs, going to school, and planning my wedding. Even before the second job and the wedding, I am ashamed to think about how little attention I was able to give them. There is a sharp learning curve with these guys, and I think it's easier when you have one or two to start so you can really get to know their personalities. Because they all have their affinities... One might like rubbery things, one might like noisy things, etc. This means they will go after and possibly steal different things. You'll have to figure out how to properly ferret-proof their play area, and then of course theres the whole feeding issue...
Just having one more and making it three may not sound like a big difference to the veterans here, but for me two was WAY plenty. I didn't go for a third until I was working part time and out of school. It can be really stressful on you AND your fuzz if you can't get over that learning curve quickly enough. It's one thing to be aware of all the things you'll need to do, and another to experience them. You don't want to be stuck cleaning more poop than you can handle because they're stubborn about litter training, not eating well because they don't like the food, having weird mysterious illnesses you can't properly attend to for lack of time.... List goes on and on.
I do think it's great you're "overthinking" it this much, and that you are brave enough to consider it! You might pull it off, you seem determined enough, and they are very rewarding fuzzies to have. But this being your first time, I'd really consider one or two, probably two since they'd at least have each other to entertain and not require YOU to be their everything. Three might just be enough to tip the scales to utter frustration!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2011 6:15:33 GMT -5
I think it's wonderful you're analyzing the situation. No such thing as over-analyzing something like ferrets! They are a lot of stress sometimes. If you've never had ferrets before, they can be a bit of a handful. I fostered two first to see what they were like, and it completely overwhelmed me keeping both out of trouble at one time and each of them pointing out spots where I THOUGHT I had ferret-proofed adequately on the opposite sides of the room! (Just an example.) When I got my own ferret after that experience I was determined it be a single ferret. Teddy and I live blissfully together now. So my personal opinion is you should try a single ferret first and then if you feel ready, adopt a bonded pair from a ferret shelter that gets along with your one. That gives you time to get used to the madness!! LOL. (Takes longer for some than others.) A single ferret can be just fine alone with you (in fact, many prefer it this way unless raised with another ferret, bonded, and kept in a constant state of kit-hood) but will just require more of your love and attention. Ferrets are NOT colonial animals like rodents or pack animals like dogs - and in the wild they would live singular lives. |
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 21, 2011 7:15:58 GMT -5
I would start with one. There is a big learning curve with ferrets. There have been some people on here that got ferrets and then realized later that it is not the right pet for them (I believe her username was bluemoose?).
I have a single ferret now. He is a nut. Extremely happy and playful. He is also very bonded to me. I prefer one now bc 1) vet bills for ferrets can get crazy 2) if I get more than one, I have to worry about bonding and if one dies I deal with major stress issues. Sometimes they just about lose the will to live when their friends die.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 21, 2011 7:19:13 GMT -5
I think candice's idea is perfect. Bring home a single ferret first. Then once you get the hang of it and are sure you want more (and can handle more) adopt a bonded pair from a shelter. Can you foster a ferret first?
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 21, 2011 7:21:58 GMT -5
Another benefit of having just one ferret: if someone's poops look bad (or if they are not eating/pooping) you don't have to guess who it is! If a piece of rubber was eaten, you don't have to wonder which one ate it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2011 7:41:43 GMT -5
Very true, miami. Less medical bills and worry over which ferret did what (bathroom thing), and the bond between you and the ferret is better (because you are everything to that ferret). Watching ferrets play with one another is fun and rewarding, but for me personally I really enjoy my ferret loving me best! |
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Post by shilohismygirl on Apr 21, 2011 7:42:57 GMT -5
I started with two, had another within the month, and had yet another within the next three. Really, three isn't much different than two in food/litter box and training. But, as everyone has said, vet costs can be very expensive. Also, be prepared to give each fuzz their own one on one time with you each day. I teach mine tricks, so that's one way we spend together. Or, give each and individual walk, or just a 20 minute playtime with you on their own.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 21, 2011 7:49:44 GMT -5
I love having a strong bond with my ferret. He follows me everywhere, he plays with me, he grooms me, he even sleeps with us! He thinks I'm a big ferret. LOL. When you have more than one it is cute but they bond more with eachother than with you.
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