Hello Fellow Ferret Lovers:
 
It is with interest that I've been following the ferret/other pets thread
recently.
 
We live in a multi-pet household: three male cats (who live here off and on
periodically, as their owner is our daughter who is away at school); we have
two senior female cats and a kitten who is about seven months old.  Our dog
is three years old - a border collie/lab mix.
 
I think the rule of thumb which is most important here is to fully supervise
the pets.  The three male cats show some hostility towards the ferrets so we
make sure that they are always kept apart; while the ferrets are out for
their playtimes, the cats are kept in a separate room.  We have given them
time together under full supervision, but I don't fully trust the cats so
they must be kept away from the ferrets.  The senior cats are harmless and
ignore the ferrets, running away when one of the ferrets gives them a
"butt-nudge" or wraps himself (or herself) around the cat's neck.  They
prefer to sleep somewhere quiet and undisturbed, ignoring the melee around
them.  The kitten loves the ferrets and waits for them to be let out in the
morning and then they tumble over each other in play.  The kitten is not
rough with them, in fact, she needs to be released from Sasha's hold once in
a while.  The dog will play with the ferrets without being a threat to them,
but, while they are playing, I watch especially not allowing him to chase
the ferrets.  This is to protect them from being stepped on in moments of
exhuberant play.
 
While I think that everyone gets along just fine (with the exception of the
male cats), we always tuck the ferrets into the ferret condominium if we are
unable to be close at hand or if we are going out.  While I trust them
together, accidents can happen and this is a preventative measure for
everyone concerned, and peace of mind for me.
 
I hope this helps out a little:)
 
Sincerely,
Jean and her sweetheart ferrets Katy and Sasha, and
Baxter the wonderful dog, and
Harley, Ditch and Nemesis the boy cats, and
Tiffany and Teca (the older lady cats), and
Madeline the kitten (who thinks she's a ferret).
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                           "Everything that lives
                              Lives not alone
                              Nor for itself"
                                    William Blake
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[Posted in FML issue 1835]