>The question is what breed(s) do well with ferrets?  We both have
>experience with labs and would like to get one that is at least a year old
>For those of you that had a cat before they got their ferret can you
>respond?  I've thought about getting my cat's front paws declawed but
>just wanted to know how other people have handled this.
 
my 2 cents on...
 
dogs...
Most labs seem to be gentle and good with other animals.  My own experience
has been with a shepherd mix, a sheltie, and a golden mix.  All 3 have been
very good with ferrets though they ferrets can be very annoying.  For the
most part I keep them separate unless I'm there.  Occasionally my dog will
play with them, but then I separate them again as the ferrets will play
forever and the dog has enough after a while.
 
cats...
I've always had lots of cats with ferrets.  In my experience the ferrets
are much more likely to annoy the cats than the other way around.
Occasionally a cat will swat a ferret but usually the ferrets terrorize the
cats.  I would never declaw a cat for any reason, I think it's cruel and
unnecessary.  Some of my ferrets live with the cats; others I keep separate
because they bite the cats and I don't think it's fair to the cats to be
stressed out in their own home.  My personal feeling is that every animal
should feel safe in their own home.
 
Just my 2 cents.
 
--Ronnie
Harry, Merlin, Roxanne, Petunia, Epcot and Clover's mom in Mass.
[Posted in FML issue 2991]