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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2015 22:00:37 GMT -5
(^ this is Kouri, who I'll mention below ^)
Heya! I'm lab, and I'm new here.
About five months ago, when visiting my best friend an hour and a half away, I fell in love with a ferret at her local pet store. Since then, I've been researching them in all my free time. I've read boards, diets, pros and cons, watched all the videos on Youtube, and I even created a PowerPoint on how to care for them, with the help of many sources. I've also been saving up my money, which isn't even really an issue, considering my dad earns quite a bit. He does have some problems with it, though, and I'll get to those right after I tell a bit about myself.
So, I'm a highschooler. I love to read and draw and I've also been a vegetarian since I was about 6. (Don't worry, I plan on stuffing my ferrets-to-be full of meat!) Around that time, I got really into pets, and over the years I've had fish, hermit crabs, mice, gerbils, hamsters, cats, and two years ago I adopted a dog. My last gerbil(out of four) passed away a few weeks ago. I feel like it's time for something that requires time and a lot responsibility, and after all this time I still believe that ferrets are right for me. As I said, though, there are a few issues with that.
1. Kouri the Schnoodle - Ah, my dog. He's a great dog, really - but he was bred to hunt, and my dad believes that he poses a huge threat to the ferrets. Despite this, he doesn't chase my cats, even though they run away from him. When we moved to the new house this past summer, my gerbil got out a few times. Kouri stood there watching him while keeping a safe distance, because he knew that he was off limits. He has chased down and killed a few squirrels before, though. If he was taught that the ferrets were to be played with gently, I believe that he would be fine, but I'm still hesitant to put them in that situation.
2. If I do end up getting ferrets, I'm not sure how I should introduce them to the dog. Restraining the dog, and letting the ferrets approach him? Letting them sniff each other while both being held? Would it be safe to let them roam in the house with Kouri in it as well, as long as they were watched at all times?
A huge thanks to anyone who's willing to help. For now, that's all that I have to say.
Thank you again! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2015 22:07:28 GMT -5
Ah, actually I forgot to mention this, but I have another question - If the ferrets were to have their cage in my room, and were restricted to only play in my room, would that be okay? (provided that they had plenty of tubes, boxes, toys, etc. to play with on varying days)
I really wouldn't like to do that, as a matter of fact, so I was also wondering of they would be okay with gradually being let into the whole house, with the time they played there being increased over a few weeks' time? |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2015 8:55:10 GMT -5
Hi and Welcome to the HFF  It's great to know that you are doing your homework. Ferrets are very special little fellows, more like a two year old child and or a very smart cat/dog. They're also fragile, curious, loving, problem solving and extremely addicting. The more time of of their cage then the happier and healthier they will be. Introducing your adorable Kouri will mean supervision. Ferrets play rough and they will tease and nip at your puppy. Based on his breed, I would not let them alone. Accidents happen and they are heartbreaking. Mine are all free roam in the house. That means constant ferretproofing. Everything from leaving toilet seats down to watching windows and doors. It works well for us but we don't have any other pets and no small children. Free roam in your room would work as long as you pay very close attention to the door and make sure there are safe spots available. Alot of our ferrents also have dogs so I know someone will weigh in soon. All my best, Poncesmom Good Luck and let us know what happens. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2015 23:32:59 GMT -5
Ah, thank you very much! This helps a ton. I do plan on keeping Kouri and the ferret under supervision, always, or at least until I can be absolutely certain that neither of them will harm eachother. My dad's at work late tonight, but I'll definitely been informing him about the new research I've done, and things that you just told me.
With 5 messy people in our house, it's a bit hard to keep things tidy, but if I were to get a couple of ferrets, I'd definitely make sure everything was put far out of reach before they'd be allowed out.
I'm about to go research how others introduced their ferrets to dogs(I've seen a few cat videos), but I do have one question. If you wouldn't mind, what do you mean by a 'safe spot?'
Other than that, everything sounds clear and perfect. Thank you lots, Poncesmom! <3 |
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Post by lyles on Dec 12, 2015 0:51:54 GMT -5
Hello and welcome to the forums! It's great that you want to become a budding ferrant, and the joys of ferranting are truely enriching! It is also great news that you are doing research before actually buying one, many can not resist their cuteness and buy them out of impulse, often resulting in lots of unexpected and unfortunate events. When it comes to ferrets (or any high maintenance pet), you must also plan years ahead. I see that you are still in highschool. That being said, you must plan on how the ferrets will fit into your life once you are out of highschool. You have to answer important questions like "If I have to move will I be able to take my ferrets with me?" This implies that if you are going to either a university or a community college right after high school. Most Universities require you to spend your first year in a dorm, which does not allow pets. Community colleges usually don't have dorms so you can stay at home. Another important question is how will you plan to cover vet bills in case of common genetic diseases like adrenal or insolinoma should arise, or a possible surgery for a blockage or a fast growing tumor that requires immediate treatment? I don't want to scare you from ferrentry, owning a ferret is very fun and exciting, but also very expensive, time consuming and a whole lotta work!  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2015 12:32:39 GMT -5
Hey, lyles! Thanks for the help. I have taken all of these factors into mind, especially college, and I know there's both a community and state college in my area. According to my parents, I'd be able to stay at home while going to either one of them. I've still got to think about what would happen if everything didn't go as planned, so the reminder was helpful! I'm definitely not going anywhere without my fuzzies: By planning to adopt them, I understand the commitment and responsibility that I'll need for their entire lives. As for vet bills, I'm definitely going to call up the local veterinary offices in my area to make sure that my ferrets can get their required checkups and vaccinations. As for prices, I do have a lot saved up, and my dad said himself that costs aren't an issue to him. I've researched the most common diseases in ferrets, and how to spot the signs that lead up to them as well. No worries about scaring me off! I really appreciate the thoughts and warnings, and I still haven't been scared away. That's a good sign, right?  |
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Post by lyles on Dec 12, 2015 12:46:34 GMT -5
Hey, lyles! Thanks for the help. I have taken all of these factors into mind, especially college, and I know there's both a community and state college in my area. According to my parents, I'd be able to stay at home while going to either one of them. I've still got to think about what would happen if everything didn't go as planned, so the reminder was helpful! I'm definitely not going anywhere without my fuzzies: By planning to adopt them, I understand the commitment and responsibility that I'll need for their entire lives. As for vet bills, I'm definitely going to call up the local veterinary offices in my area to make sure that my ferrets can get their required checkups and vaccinations. As for prices, I do have a lot saved up, and my dad said himself that costs aren't an issue to him. I've researched the most common diseases in ferrets, and how to spot the signs that lead up to them as well. No worries about scaring me off! I really appreciate the thoughts and warnings, and I still haven't been scared away. That's a good sign, right? That's a great sign, you planning on getting just that one or a pair? One by itself is fine, I always found that getting two together helps lighten the load off you in terms of keeping them entertained. lol |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2015 13:30:56 GMT -5
Hmm.. I've been thinking about that a lot. I'm leaning more towards a pair, because then they can play with each other.
Although I don't think Craigslist is a reliable place to get a ferret, I've had my eye on it in case there's a genuinely good ferret owner who can't care for their fuzzbutt any longer. There are a few ferret shelters a while away, which I'm watching too. None of our local pet stores even have ferrets, so I don't have to worry about that. I suppose that I'm open to either, really? Definitely can't handle three, though.. Haha. |
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Post by unclejoe on Dec 12, 2015 14:05:38 GMT -5
I think that the ferret-proofing should be your top priority. ferrets get into EVERYTHING, and even a big adult can squeeze into spaces as small as 2-3 inches in diameter. If you happened to get a chewer, they can go after rubber things (like pencil erasers, rubber pen grips, dog toys, etc) electric cords, shoes, etc. I have 3 that like to dig insoles out of shoes and stash them. Swallowing pieces of such things can be serious to the point of fatal.
Additionally, doors leading outside have to be carefully protected, as it only takes a second for a fuzzy to slip out silently between or behind someone's feet. It's happened to me.
Ours are allowed free roam except our bedroom when they are awake. After about 1 1/2 hours they all will find some dark place to sleep, and then we put them back in the cage, not only for safety but so they don't make messes. They are now quite good at using puppy pads, but those aren't free, and there are 4-5 corners we have to keep covered. A lot of times they will go back to bed in the cage, but a favorite sleep spot has become our brand new $3000 living couch and chair.
So you're right,they are a lot of work, but I wouldn't be without them.
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Post by lyles on Dec 12, 2015 14:23:41 GMT -5
I think that the ferret-proofing should be your top priority. ferrets get into EVERYTHING, and even a big adult can squeeze into spaces as small as 2-3 inches in diameter. If you happened to get a chewer, they can go after rubber things (like pencil erasers, rubber pen grips, dog toys, etc) electric cords, shoes, etc. I have 3 that like to dig insoles out of shoes and stash them. Swallowing pieces of such things can be serious to the point of fatal. Additionally, doors leading outside have to be carefully protected, as it only takes a second for a fuzzy to slip out silently between or behind someone's feet. It's happened to me. Ours are allowed free roam except our bedroom when they are awake. After about 1 1/2 hours they all will find some dark place to sleep, and then we put them back in the cage, not only for safety but so they don't make messes. They are now quite good at using puppy pads, but those aren't free, and there are 4-5 corners we have to keep covered. A lot of times they will go back to bed in the cage, but a favorite sleep spot has become our brand new $3000 living couch and chair. So you're right,they are a lot of work, but I wouldn't be without them. Instead of disposables, you should give those washable ones from Ebay a try. I've been using them for over a month and I love them. The only downside is that they don't absorb very well and what I did to fix that is buy some of those microfiber diswalla towels of the same dimensions and clamp them together with those office clips. It works very well. |
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Post by unclejoe on Dec 12, 2015 14:55:20 GMT -5
We have a thing about putting poopy things in our washer, any more than necessary, lol. They've gotten much better here than in our old house. Here, we've only used maybe 40 pads in 4 months. They mostly use the litter boxes in the cage before they get let out.
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Post by raynebc on Dec 12, 2015 16:01:06 GMT -5
I pre-wash soiled towels before running them through as laundry. That keeps most of the mess out of the machine.
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Post by lyles on Dec 12, 2015 20:19:46 GMT -5
We have a thing about putting poopy things in our washer, any more than necessary, lol. They've gotten much better here than in our old house. Here, we've only used maybe 40 pads in 4 months. They mostly use the litter boxes in the cage before they get let out. Oh, what I do is take them outside first and spray them down with a waterhose to get the poops off, then I let them drain a bit before going in their separate bin. |
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Post by unclejoe on Dec 13, 2015 9:53:44 GMT -5
too much work  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2015 13:56:36 GMT -5
If it is real bad---I throw in garbage and go back to thrift store. I do not use towels just old sheets from thrift or pillow cases.
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