Ferret adoption? - Page 2

rek143 · 02-17-2015, 06:44 PM

Thanks everyone! Trust me, I've done heaps of research on them, and have actually taken care of 2 before (my friend let me take care of them while she was in the Amazon)

I currently don't have a rodent, my syrian passed away and my winter white is at my boyfrieinds place, and I currently live with my dad. My dog is also at my bf's place.
Also, I know that ferrets aren't rodents, they're the domesticated form of the European polecat, a mammal belonging to the same genus as the weasel, Mustela of the family Mustelidae. Scientific name is Mustela putorius furo I believe.
M
I personally don't want one from a breeder, I (my personal opinion) do not like breeders, simply because my neighborhood is a "white trash" neighborhood and all our breeders are sketchy. The nicest and closest breeder to where I now live is 7 hours away, and I'm not driving that far :/

So do shelters not behavior assess the ferrets? I read that most ferret shelters behavior asses them to see which ones are best for your needs.

Thanks for the help everyone!!

Quick little side note, I'm more than willing to train a ferret, biting does not bother me (high pain tolerance) and my step mum and step brother are both exotic animal trainers (they work with weasles, birds, etc.) so I can get them to help with taming/behavior reinforcement.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 02-17-2015, 07:06 PM

Er... I'm not a ferret expert but wouldn't you need to get more than one for them to be happy?

Shannonmcn · 02-17-2015, 07:13 PM

Is linking to other forums allowed here? There is a comprehensive and semi-well populated thread on ferrets I know of on another forum and I don't think the ferret thread is behind a paywall

. Pm me if you want a link I guess?

Dalis_mum · 02-17-2015, 08:26 PM

If you never go to see your boyfriend and handle your winter white thats fine. a ferret much and their scenting don't just wash off in the shower. They're relatives of skunks.

If you will be having contact to the dog they will need annual distemper shots from the vet.

I wont waste anymore time trying to convincing you to use a breeder but I will warn that in my experience, no amount of behavioural assessing will mean you get a nice of trainable adult from a rescue. Youre most likely to get an unhandlable ferret that hisses and snaps because someone before you hasn't trained it correctly and its wild instincts have become too ingrained at a young age.

And Kyrill, Yes, most ferrets will prefer to live in a community of 3 or more, but some, hobs in particular, have been mistreated in a way which means they must be kept alone, or simply have one of those personalities, much like as humans some of us become hermits. Those ferrets that are needing to be kept alone generally have the most dire behavioural problems.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 02-18-2015, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalis_mum

And Kyrill, Yes, most ferrets will prefer to live in a community of 3 or more, but some, hobs in particular, have been mistreated in a way which means they must be kept alone, or simply have one of those personalities, much like as humans some of us become hermits. Those ferrets that are needing to be kept alone generally have the most dire behavioural problems.

Ah ok, thanks for explaining that. I didn't realise any could end up needing to live alone, poor things

Thin Lizzy · 02-19-2015, 12:43 AM

This has been an eye opener of a thread.
Dalis_Mum has given in depth details and brilliant advice, I've learned a lot about ferrets that I never knew.
She has the knowledge and the experience in this subject, rek143 you really have to choose between ferrets or hamsters. Keep us posted on your decision.

Dalis_mum · 02-19-2015, 12:56 AM

I would just like to add, If anyone, be it next week or next year, needs some advice on ferrets and comes across this thread, feel free to PM me. I will help as best I can. I cannot however take in unwanted ferrets as I currently have other incompatible pets.

DM

HamstersnHamsters111 · 01-02-2016, 05:20 AM

As posted by dalis_mum, do ferrets make you smell? I am confused by the post about the natural musk??

Dalis_mum · 01-03-2016, 12:06 AM

Ferrets are quite smelly. It's a smell i became immune to having kept them for so long. Males (hobs) and more aromatic than Females (Jills) but all have a deep musk. This scent sticks to your clothing, your hair, your skin; which is why i would always advise against keeping 'prey animals' as pets at the same time because even if you shower the little things can still smell it.

In the US I believe it is still legal to have the scent glands removed, which reduces the musk, but i personally believe this is cruel as it stops them from being able to express natural behaviours effectively and also causes stress as they cannot mark territory. In the UK it is illegal to de-scent animals like this for such reasons.

If you have your ferrets well tamed and well handled then they should not spray/scent you (though you will still acquire some of their day to day musk). I only got sprayed twice in all my time ferret keeping; Once by Molder then i told him off for sniffing something he shouldn't, and once by Pol when Scully jumped on her and spooked her. This kind of scent can last a week or two if it gets on your skin. The only thing i found to ease it was washing in mouthwash.