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Post by RedSky on Mar 2, 2015 13:04:41 GMT -5
So I'm not sure if I will ever be able to persuade my OH to let the fuzzies come along, especially with Korra being so nippy with the boys and us still but even so I wanted to ask how do you go camping with ferrets?
We keep talking about going camping and today went to buy a tent (we are going back to pick it up later this week), what would I need to have/take to make life as easy as possible and allow the ferrets to have lots of fun. I haven't gotten them used to their leads yet, the boys aren't too bad but Korra.... well she's Korra. Doesn't like being made to do anything.
How do you do it, what do you do with them while you're there and what things should I have to keep them safe?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2015 14:33:19 GMT -5
At least in my experience - I bring either a full sized cage or a large playpen with a bottom and cover, to make sure not to lose them. When out - always on a harness. I never let them close to water unless under high security supervision/holding/harness. If it's a mosquito prone area - give the heartworm prevention, as it can be lethal. I avoid letting them get in contact with any stranger/animal. First aid kit with you, nearest vet/emergency address and phone number. I also put the flea+tick+internal parasites prevention a while before leaving so it'll take effect. food, fresh water. lots of blankets. ferret proof everything so that they won't go lost. and if anything else comes to mind i'll let you know. usually they sleep in the same tent as us. oh yeah - and litterbox if they are in the tent with you. it's like camping with infants - lots of work, but i think it's worth it, if your ferrets enjoy the outdoors
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Post by msav on Mar 2, 2015 14:43:01 GMT -5
The number one thing to worry about is Heat. Make sure it will not be too hot during the day.
I never took my ferrets camping with us until I got an RV. (we actually bought it so we could take the ferrets with us) We have Air conditioning so we did not have to worry about the heat.
all of our ferrets had a great time, We bought a dog Stroller (had to reinforce the gaps in the corners so they could not get out) and took them on Hikes in the early morning when it was cool. We let them play in the river and a couple of them fell in, the water was calm so they just crawled back out and did a little war dance. They loved all the new smells and their favorite camping activity was digging.
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Post by raynebc on Mar 2, 2015 14:50:47 GMT -5
I'd be worried about them squirming out of their harness and escaping, so I'd also suggest getting one of the playpens (optionally with a bottom mat, they aren't indestructible but they can withstand some amount of digging) so they have a way to be out of cage and still be contained (with supervision).
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Post by msav on Mar 2, 2015 15:51:32 GMT -5
Unless they are startled, my ferrets are much more interested in sniffing and exploring to run off. I had them on harnesses but never really need the harnesses as they generally just explored about. I had all five of mine out at one time by the river. (had the 2 of us and the dog looking out for ferrets that wondered off too far. They all just sniffed and dug in the area.
Your ferrets could be different though. But Mine were not a problem and we were camping for almost 3 weeks.
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Post by RedSky on Mar 2, 2015 15:51:37 GMT -5
Thank you all for the replies, I do worry about a playpen as Korra is very fast at climbing things. I don't have one so can't say if she would be likely to get out or not.
I would buy a different cage (or use the hamster cage we have) as their critter nation obviously would be a problem, so they can be in that in the car while we drive there and have that for any unsupervised time (like while we are asleep). A dog stroller sounds like a good idea, I will have to have a look for one. That way they can come out for walks with us anyway. Do you gets funny looks though? Wouldn't really bother me but I can only imagine the looks of other campers/walkers.
We have a tent which has two 'bedrooms' separated by a full (cloth) panel that can be unzipped so it would be easier to have them in there with the section open then if they did manage to dig through they would have to get out of another layer (attached ground sheet so no quick escape still) before they were lost.
I guess I will have to work on them with their harnesses and taking them out more. I think Bolin and Mako would enjoy it, but Korra would worry me, she is so fast and isn't so keen on others or the outdoors at the moment.
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Post by msav on Mar 2, 2015 16:34:27 GMT -5
I have video of my ferrets by the river in my youtube channel.(along with many other videos of my ferrets)
I just added my youtube channel link to my signature.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2015 17:54:29 GMT -5
If they come to squeakie toys, maybe bring one of them?  ? Never done this before. Sounds fun----for ferrets anyway. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2015 18:05:11 GMT -5
If they come to squeakie toys, maybe bring one of them,and bells on collar? ? Never done this before. Sounds fun. msav----- 'liked the 4-way battle over rat  ,too. did wonder occasionally what msav stood for. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2015 21:07:38 GMT -5
I put a colored light that can also blink on each one's harness. They look like circus ferrets but it makes them easy to find in the dark  i'll post a pic next time we go for a walk |
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Post by Blue on Mar 2, 2015 21:39:48 GMT -5
Oh, I've been looking for a light that was small enough to attach to a ferret harness. I'm interested in what you use! Someone else here mentioned using iTiles -- those little tiles you can attach to things and track with your smart phone (iPhone?) up to 150 ft, I think? That sounds pretty good, for rapid retrieval. I don't think this person had tried it, though.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2015 0:46:57 GMT -5
Do you know how they react to outside time? I have taken mine to the park and they all come back to me after play time. I watch them like a hawk, and they never wonder too far. I've found that ferrets don't really want to leave their mommy.
Anyway, you might want to try that. I take them in their carrier (its a cat carrier but I call it my ferret carrier) and I let them play for about a half an hour. They always tell me when they want to go home by roadbumping in the carrier. It smells like home.
Definitely worth a shot, and would be able to tell you about how realistic it is to take them on your little adventure!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2015 9:27:09 GMT -5
Abs--- where did you find these?
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Post by msav on Mar 3, 2015 10:51:15 GMT -5
I saw quite a few of those at lowes.
The problem I had is my ferrets are not conditioned to the harness and I don't like leaving the harness on them all the time as it can get caught on things.
That is why I never used those bluetooth locator devices. I did put one on my dog, not like she needs it as she comes when called and does not wander off.
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Post by RedSky on Mar 3, 2015 11:21:07 GMT -5
I wouldn't really trust any of mine outside without a something to keep them safe. I fully expect Korra to just run for it, she is so quick and doesn't like staying still. Mako is a scaredy cat and would probably get spooked by something or find something to chase (like a leaf) and be gone. Bolin acts like a lazy lump but if he got the smell or a mouse or a rat I think he'd probably take off.
To be honest though I don't actually know, Korra has been on out a harness a few times and just wanted to run every which way, I couldn't tell if she wanted to explore or was scared. Mako has been outside once and went and stood by the door refusing to move and I haven't taken Bolin out yet. He had an ultrasound of his abdomen done so has a big bold patch and I am worried he will get cold with the ground constantly being wet!
I keep planning on taking them out on the next sunny dry day but then something comes up.
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