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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2011 11:34:22 GMT -5
So last night I was cleaning out my hedgehogs and my cat Marbles was keeping me company (and keeping an eye on the crickets I have in a container for me - I call it Kitty Television because her and Magic can spend hours just watching the crickets ;D). I stepped out of the room to wash some things in the bathroom and when I came back Marbles had vanished. After looking around a bit I found her IN the hedgehog cage (I had left the lid open) with one of my hedgehogs Puff. Marbles was just laying there and Puff was snuffling her and trying to cuddle up with her, it was the cutest thing ever and ever since then Marbles keeps going over to Puff's cage and trying to visit with her  Unfortunately cats have a bacteria in their saliva that can make hedgies quite sick I'm told so I can't really let them play together.. but this got me wondering... I hear ferrets getting along with cats is the most likely other pet they will get along with and I have a feeling Marbles is going to absolutely LOVE the ferrets and want to see them all the time. I was just wondering if anyone here has cats and ferrets that are good buddies? I know ferrets have sharper teeth and cats don't have as tough of skin as ferrets so I would never let them be unsupervised or wrestle, in fear of my cat getting play-bitten and it puncturing skin or in fear of my cat's claws hurting the ferret. But I was just sort of wondering what the likelihood of them getting along is? I'm keeping the ferrets in my room, which is also kind of Marbles room so I just don't want her to feel left out either. Also is it okay for cats to have access to the ferret cage (ferret nation 142) during the day when I'm not home? I have a gate on my room door to keep the dogs out but is it bad to have the cats wandering around in there (and possibly trying to stick their paws in the ferret cage) when I'm not there? Or should I keep my room door shut when I'm not there and keep all animals out? |
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Post by fearless on Apr 23, 2011 11:39:07 GMT -5
I don't know of any heard issues if you want to monitor them while they play and go from there. I use to let my kitty in with the ferrets but he was a sweet heart and really only wanted to steal the bedding the ferrets had, cause his just wasn't as comfy I guess.  Anyways monitor them, if they do good, try leaving them alone for like an hour or so while you shop, and slowly work up to letting them in there while you're gone all day. If you feel comfy with it, I don't see or know of any issue that I would say it's not ideal. My cat always did great with the ferrets, even when they wanted to tackle my kitty, he usually just jumped on top of the cage and slept up there. One thing I'm not sure of is cat hair and how it would interact with the ferrets... I just kept up with shedding is all. |
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Post by shilohismygirl on Apr 23, 2011 12:23:04 GMT -5
My father in law has a cat named Q ( I don't understand the name, but it fits him somehow). Q and the ferrets get along famously. The first time they met, Q let the ferrets gang up on him and smell/sniff/tackle him. I never let them play unsupervised-but sometimes, I do let them tumble about. Q doesn't put his claws out when he plays, but I do know that it only takes a second for someone to get hurt, so I take him away when it looks to be getting more fervent in their play. I caught Q sleeping with them earlier and thought it was precious. The first time they met, Oz's tail bottlebrushed like I've never seen him do. He loves kitty most. Though I do let them interact, I also keep them seperated most of the day.
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Post by angelfish on Apr 23, 2011 12:29:03 GMT -5
It depends on the ferret and the cat. I started another thread on here about how 2 of my ferrets couldn't care less about the cat while the third tries to actively hunt anything that isn't a ferret in our household. She races and latches on to their hind quarters. I too have a cat that is the epitome of gentle, and we had to frequently rescue her as she ran with a ferret attached to her hind end. We don't let them play together anymore, but your ferrets may be different. As far as the cage. I assume you mean the cage will be closed with the ferrets inside? I would watch your cats and see how they react. Mine will sit in front of the cage and watch the ferrets and my "hunter" ferret will watch them back. That's the extent of their interaction these days. |
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Post by sherik on Apr 23, 2011 12:41:57 GMT -5
I have one ferret who also likes to hunt kitties. I have to put the kitties in the basement when the ferrets are let out. Huck has really hurt them before. I don't get it, 2.5lb ferret vs. 15lb cat. Ferret wins.
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Post by Sherry on Apr 23, 2011 16:38:42 GMT -5
I've also got kitty hunters here as well  Some are fine, and will only snuffle the cats, another is determined to stash one particular cat(she hates the ferret), and some will actively seek and bite the cats. Kitty chasing is a great game here We make sure the cats can get away from the fuzz when they need to. |
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Post by selantra on Apr 23, 2011 16:58:05 GMT -5
Of my five, four are mildly interested in the cat but not too terribly concerned. However, Otis is determined that the cat does not belong in his new domain and every chance he gets he will chase the cat. I think this has something to do with the fact that on first introductions, the cat made the mistake of tentatively trying to swat the oldest ferret, kind of like a poke, and ever since then Otis has been after him at any point of contact. And our cat is huge, a Maine coon, but Otis wins every time.
Unfortunately, the hubby tried to save the cat last time by keeping him in his lap and Otis just jumped up and latched on. The cat it out on the human instead of the ferret and we have a nice trip to the doctor.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2011 18:11:46 GMT -5
Our ferts are free-range nearly all the time and share the food bowl and litterboxes with our 3 cats. When it comes to attitudes, I'd say roughly 3% of the time I see mutual cuddles, 7% playing together, and the other 90% they totally ignore each other (unless the cats are sneaking food out of the ferrets' stashes  ). Kyou, our youngest cat, instigates the most play. Sometimes he gets a little rough with the ferts, but they've proven they're capable of dishing it back...it usually ends with him running off with his tail between his legs at same time the fert runs off to hide under the bed. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2011 19:16:26 GMT -5
My two ferrets love my two cats... love to chew on them, anyway. The ferrets' "play" is way too rough for the kitties, who end up flat and crying because there's a ferret chomped down on their neck or haunches. They never fight back, so the nearest human has to rescue them. We have a few reptiles that eat crickets, too, and the cats go nuts over them. If I buy more than a hundred crickets at a time they live in the garage to keep them out of little paw's reach... |
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Post by Sherry on Apr 23, 2011 19:37:46 GMT -5
I wonder if part of the problems we have are the fact all the cats are older. The only one who semi gets along is going on 7 years old. The others are all 11 and up.
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Post by kristinb on Apr 23, 2011 19:53:46 GMT -5
Jinx likes to try and "play" with the kitties, both of which want to have nothing to do with her. The smaller of the two cats is now moreso standing her ground and will give jinx a few good smacks on the head if she gets too close. This generally either makes Jinx leave her alone, or insights her into increase attempts because she thinks the kitty is playing with her. Generally, the cats just run away or hop onto something that is high enough the ferret can't get to. But, I don't let them play unsupervised since I havent' fully ferret proofed the house. I dont think Jinx would bit them hard enough to hurt them, they just dont like the way she plays. Ialso don't think the cats would really try to hurt her either, but they are slowly getting better with her. Not sure they will ever be snuggling buddies or anything though as much as I would like.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2011 20:59:30 GMT -5
Wow ferrets hunting cats... I never even considered that... that's kind of scary!
For those of you who have had your ferrets bite your cats - has it ever resulted in anything that serious - like open wounds - or a trip to the vet? that's what I'd be mostly worreid about with my cat.
yes the cage would be closed when I'm not here - but it sounds like if some of you let the cats and ferrets roam together unsupervised then I'd be just fine leaving the cat unsupervised with the ferrets locked in the cage.
Older cats definitely would make a difference too. My older cat magic isn't that tolerant of my yorkie poo puppy but my younger cat Marbles loves to play and is super tolerant of all new animals so I'm pretty sure she'll get along with the ferrets.
I'm thinking if I get the ferrets a bit younger too then they'll get used to the cat and not try to hunt her!
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Post by Heather on Apr 23, 2011 21:22:59 GMT -5
You will find mixed reviews on this one, so I'm going to put it down to the individual ferrets and cats. It is advised in the "Ferrets for Dummies" to never allow an adult ferret play with a kitten less than 6 months of age. I would think that would be for prey reasons. I know that I have a couple of ferrets that believe in hunting the cats. That being said I've also had to pay for an expensive surgery to repair the damage done by a claw. Mad Max and Merlyn had a horrible hate on for each other, this reached an absolute boiling point when Merlyn split Mad Max's tongue from the back of his throat to the front, requiring major surgery and removal of part of Max's tongue. Things at this point became ridiculous, as Max would then hunt and stalk Merlyn with the intent to do damage. At some point Mad Max found himself again on the receiving end of Merlyn's claws. Max lost the sight of one eye in this episode. This seemed to cool Max off a bit and the hunting became more opportunistic.
After watching my crew with adult cats, I would never allow my ferrets to play with kittens. Just my conclusion and experiences
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2011 21:28:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the input Heather - I'm so sorry to hear about your poor guy's injuries! That's awful!!!  I don't have any kittens, both my cats are full grown - one is 9 years old (she's a bit of a crank and I wouldn't let her meet the ferrets) and my younger one is 1.5 years now and she's bigger than my older cat - but yes I would never let a kitten play with a ferret - that would end badly I'm sure! I will definitely be VERY careful about introductions though and only allow for supervised interaction for sure |
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Post by Sherry on Apr 23, 2011 22:14:04 GMT -5
Again, it depends on the individual animals. I've got one ferret I'd trust with almost any animal, large or small. But only the one I've seen pics of kitties and fuzz curled up in hammys together as well. Then you've got Zeus, who tries to hamstring the cats, and Suki, who goes for the soft underbelly |
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Unfortunately cats have a bacteria in their saliva that can make hedgies quite sick I'm told so I can't really let them play together.. but this got me wondering...
Anyways monitor them, if they do good, try leaving them alone for like an hour or so while you shop, and slowly work up to letting them in there while you're gone all day. If you feel comfy with it, I don't see or know of any issue that I would say it's not ideal. My cat always did great with the ferrets, even when they wanted to tackle my kitty, he usually just jumped on top of the cage and slept up there. One thing I'm not sure of is cat hair and how it would interact with the ferrets... I just kept up with shedding is all.
