This Or That

[HamstersnHamsters111]

I don't know if this Is the right place to post this question but i want a ferret but I want to get a dog so what would be your suggestions as iam so stuck between them

Thanks

[Snowz]

I haven't had any experience with a ferret but for me I would choose a dog.

I have a dog (Honey) I feel they are quite some fun!
-You can take walks with them!
-They are great at hugging!
-You can play with toys with them! (Fetch)
-You need to feed them and give them water just like ferrets.
-They are great at detecting any sounds or people.

[WinnieTheHam]

Dogs require a lot of responsibility. They need walking, grooming, bathing, training, socialising, playing etc.. It is essential to train dogs, otherwise they'll become reckless. Some dogs suffer really badly on their own, and you cannot leave them on their own for long periods of time. Depending on the breed they will need plenty of exercise. They also need to be well socialised with other dogs because if not, then walking them will be a hard task if confronted by another dog.

Ferrets also require responsibility, but i wouldn't say as much as a dog. They need a large enclosure with loads of toys and enrichment. It's best to get a male, because if females come into heat and they're not mated to, they will become very ill and have a possibility to die. They too need plenty of exercise, you can get harnesses for them to walk them. Also you can train your ferret, but i don't think it's as essential as it is for dogs. Ferrets to have a tendency to smell pretty bad, but if you love animals like me (which im sure you do) it's easily tolerated.

I advise you to research them, joining forums that specialise in that animal and see which you think you'd prefer If it was me, i'd choose a ferret. I think dogs are too much like forever children (literally) which i don't feel i'd be ready for at this moment in time. Haha

[HamstersnHamsters111]

Originally Posted by Snowz

I haven't had any experience with a ferret but for me I would choose a dog.

I have a dog (Honey) I feel they are quite some fun!
-You can take walks with them!
-They are great at hugging!
-You can play with toys with them! (Fetch)
-You need to feed them and give them water just like ferrets.
-They are great at detecting any sounds or people.

Thank you for your help

[HamstersnHamsters111]

Originally Posted by WinnieTheHam

Dogs require a lot of responsibility. They need walking, grooming, bathing, training, socialising, playing etc.. It is essential to train dogs, otherwise they'll become reckless. Some dogs suffer really badly on their own, and you cannot leave them on their own for long periods of time. Depending on the breed they will need plenty of exercise. They also need to be well socialised with other dogs because if not, then walking them will be a hard task if confronted by another dog.

Ferrets also require responsibility, but i wouldn't say as much as a dog. They need a large enclosure with loads of toys and enrichment. It's best to get a male, because if females come into heat and they're not mated to, they will become very ill and have a possibility to die. They too need plenty of exercise, you can get harnesses for them to walk them. Also you can train your ferret, but i don't think it's as essential as it is for dogs. Ferrets to have a tendency to smell pretty bad, but if you love animals like me (which im sure you do) it's easily tolerated.

I advise you to research them, joining forums that specialise in that animal and see which you think you'd prefer If it was me, i'd choose a ferret. I think dogs are too much like forever children (literally) which i don't feel i'd be ready for at this moment in time. Haha

Ha ha thank you for your help and I will look into them as much as I can

[barley]

There's quite a difference between a dog and a ferret....!! Whilst any pet is a commitment, a dog really does need serious consideration.

You need to think about:

- How long the dog will be left daily? They're not an ideal pet for full-time workers unless you can make arrangements to have the dog cared for, or checked in on, during the day.

- How much exercise can you give? Even small breeds need around an hour of exercise once fully grown.

- Can you afford the vet bills? Can you afford pet insurance? As well as microchipping, vaccinations, flea/worm treatments etc?

- Can you afford the food bills? A high quality natural diet can work out quite dear. The cheap pet foods you see for sale should be avoided like the plague!

- What time can you devote to training?

- Are you willing to give up a hefty chunk of your social life? You can't go out all evening or for hours at the weekend if you have a dog to care for.

- What arrangements would you make for holidays?

- All breeds need regular grooming. The longer the coat, the more extensive their grooming needs.

- Are you willing to give up lay-ins? Dogs need to go out first thing to do their business.

- What activities can you provide in terms of mental stimulation and environmental enrichment?

- Could you cope with toilet training? Getting up throughout the night to toilet the puppy? Getting the inevitable poo/wee/sick on your carpet?

- A well-bred health tested KC registered puppy will cost in excess of £500. Even rescue dogs have a minimum donation fee of around £100 minimum. Can you afford initial outlay?

- Are you TOTALLY committed to having a dog for the next 10-15 years +? A lot can happen in that time, and the dog must always come first in your plans - whether that be a new house, new jobs etc.

To be perfectly frank. If you're torn between a dog and a ferret - you're in no way ready for the responsible of a dog. They couldn't be more different pets.

[Shannonmcn]

I would actually say that a ferret is just as much of a commitment as a dog. They may be smaller and not need walking but they are a specialist exotic pet. They're still very close to their wild polecat relatives and the healthiest lines come from hunting breeders, not pet breeders. This can lead to a lot of behavioural issues and a ferret bite can be really really nasty. They don't have the same relationship to humans that dogs do so they can be hard to socialise, especially for novices. Even pet bred ferrets have extremely high prey drives and would pose a huge danger to any hamsters you have. You can train a dog to leave it but not a ferret. The smell alone would really stress out your hamster, they smell a lot more than a dog and it's pure predator smell too.

If you're in the US ferrets have a myriad of health problems and often short life spans with all of the exotics vet specialist fees that comes with. They're particularly prone to cancer. In the UK this is less of an issue since they tend to have less inbred, more robust breeding lines but they're still not an animal every vet is equipped to deal with. If you have a behavioural problem with your dog there is a puppy training class, even if you have a breed specific problem there will probably be someone close to you who can help, if you need someone to dog sit you will have at least one friend who knows how to take basic care of a dog, this isn't an option for ferrets. I would say unless you know someone who has experience keeping ferrets who can help you and you already have a vet who really knows them then it would be very irresponsible to start keeping them.

I would love a ferret, the above are all the reasons I can't have one

[Snowz]

Your welcome!

[artgecko]

This was not on your list, but have you considered rats? They are more interactive and intelligent (trainable) than hamsters.. If you get well-bred ones, they are social with people and some can even be potty trained (although they will still pee elsewhere). They, like ferrets, require larger cage setups with toys and stimulation (food puzzles, things to climb, etc.). They have a shorter lifespan than ferrets or dogs, so might be a good in-between pet if you've never had anything more work-intensive than hamsters.

They require regular cage cleaning to keep the smell down, but unlike ferrets, which have a strong body odor, rats do not. Also similar to ferrets, some can have health problems especially those not from strong well bred lines.

Cats are also a great in-between option. You can't take them out for walks like a dog, but many are quite social and love attention, but will be OK if left by themselves all day long.

From your other two choices, you really need to consider what your lifestyle is and what you will not only be able to do (care wise) but what you will easily be able to do. I've considered both dogs and ferrets and both are too much for me at this point in time commitment... Dogs need to be let out and ferrets need a LOT of exercise and socialization time outside their cage too.. Dogs can be messy in the house especially if left alone, and ferrets can be quite destructive (so all out of cage time must be supervised). Both can also have huge vet bills. Especially in the US I know of many that have outright said 'don't get a ferret unless you're ready to spend hundreds or thousands in vet bills"...

[JBH316]

I used to work in a vets and I just need to see the word ferret and I can smell them