After reading this EXCELLENT list for almost two years now (more than a
year before we even had any ferrets), I figured it was time to add my two
pence worth, as it were :)
Cages: We had a very nice (26"Wx16"Dx34"H) two story "home" for our two
boys, but they just started to outgrow it (at just 10 1/2 months, they are
3.1 & 3.2 pounds respectably, VERY active, and not overly "fat"), and even
though the cage was just used for sleeping (we have a "ferret proof" room
and hallway for playtime), it was clearly time for a new home for them.
After looking at many different designs, we (my wife and I) finally settled
on the "Super Pet" four story model (#60319, 32"Wx20"Dx58"H). This is an
absolutely wonderful and well designed cage with solid, easy to clean
floors, and "Bubble Wave" tubes going from one level to the other (which
they just seem to love). We have toys, play tubes, etc. on every floor,
and it gives them a lot to do (besides sleep) between play times. One
problem we did have was, we went away for two days (one night), and the top
"Bubble Wave" tube (curved) became disengaged from the uppermost floor,
since this leads to the top floor (and the second water bottle - we always
have two or more), it could have lead to a serious problem had the bottom
waterer run out or malfunctioned (the problem was an ill fitting tube,
which we hope Super Pet will replace - so if you get/have one of these
cages, do a good "tug test" on each tube). An extra plus is that it is on
a stand with casters (making it 70" high) so that we can move them into any
room we want (which always seems to be the room we are in :), and they
DEFINITELY like the "change in scenery" this brings about!
MF: Both of our guys are MF bred, and are absolute angels. When we first
got them, they nipped a little, but no more than other young ferrets
we have handled. Within the first month, they quit nipping entirely
(combination of using bitter apple on our fingers, and a soft but firm "NO"
if the nipping was a bit hard). I see a lot of MF bashing on this list,
but I can only say from my own personal experience that these guys are
social, well behaved, and so far, very healthy. It took all of two days
for them to learn to use the litter box. "Roy" is 100% for the "kit box"
(as we call it), and "Siegfried" (he's the blond one), is better than 99%
(about a dozen "out of box" incidents to date in the 7 months he has had
us).
Adoptions: We live in a state where it is illegal for ferrets to caretake
humans (hence the anon posting), but I still tried for two years to adopt a
pair with absolutely no success (I tried the various forums on AOL, the
Web, etc.), mostly because of the state we reside in. So finally we went
to an adjoining state and started looking. It took four trips and two
years before our little guys found us (we had pretty much settled on a
pair the trip before, but picked up a stray little kitten the night before
we were going back to the pet store - not a chain - to make our final
decision). That cat, named "Casino" is (like our two other neutered male
cats, who were also "adopted"), big (all weight about 14 pounds and are NOT
fat), friendly and healthy. The cats are still not sure what to make about
our newest family members, but they do tolerate the ferrets very well, and
one even plays with them a bit. We think that since the ferrets are also
predators (and have a predator odor), the cats immediately understood them
not to be prey. But we were very careful when we first introduced them to
each other. The bottom line is, we had to purchase rather than adopt,
because no adoptions were easily possible in our state. Other people face
this same dilemma, so consider the circumstances before condemning people
for making a purchase rather than adopting.
Unrealistic expectations: To read this list, one would think that a ferret
is the best and easiest pet to own, so EVERYBODY should get one, NOT!!!
Ferrets (and I firmly believe that all animals need their own kind to
interact with, so if you can't have at least two, don't get ONE) are a
"high maintenance" pet. Yes, they do use the litter box, NO they don't
cover it (as cats do), but I seldom see this fact mentioned. And ferrets
can put out a LOT of poop! So the kit box has to be cleaned several times
a day (YES, they do like a clean kit box, don't we all?). They also need
time out of their cage (no matter how big it is) for play and human
socializing, their waterers have to be cleaned and the water changed at
regular intervals, claws clipped, ears cleaned, regular vet checks (and
kept up to date on all their shots), and have a very supervised and safe
environment (if they can find a way to get into trouble, they will!).
Ferrets are NOT cats! Cats are a relatively "low maintenance" pet (and
like ferrets, also make terrific pets).
Yes, ferrets ARE terrific companions, but they are NOT for everyone. I
think this point needs to be stressed more to potential adopters/buyers, to
lessen the misunderstanding (and possible abandonment of the ferrets) that
sometimes occurs when adopter/buyer expectations are too unrealistic.
Signed: Two 'pence (from what state?)...
[Posted in FML issue 2621]
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