I've noticed a few questions regarding introducing non-ferret critters to
a ferret household, so I decided that I would chime in with one of my own:
does anyone here have a prairie dog, and if so, how does it get along with
ferrets?  I realize that prairie dogs are rodents, and as such, are in the
category of "potential meal" to ferrets.  As a matter of fact (as I'm sure
most of you know), prairie dogs are the prime prey of the black-footed
ferret (reductions in prairie dog populations causing the black-foot to be
so endangered).  However, prairie dogs, when full grown, are about as big
as a (neutered) male ferret.  Prairie dogs are also (from what my research
has told me) quite strong-willed and territorial; I wonder if a grown
prairie dog would be thrown into full-blown prey hysteria at the sight of
my two chubby little carnivores.  I have read accounts of prairie dogs,
when raised from babyhood as pets with cats or dogs, get along well with
the larger animals.  My two ferrets get along well with our cat (and he
with them), and have an intense curiosity towards my hedgehog (which,
alas, the hedgehog clearly does not share).  Any input on this will be
appreciated, especially from those who own prairie dogs (as I'm sure you
can tell, I am thinking about getting a PD.  Since this is not the proper
forum to discuss PDs themselves, I would welcome the opportunity to
communicate privately with any PD owners).
 
One last note: I don't know if I should be congratulated or ridiculed, but
I successfully resisted an extremely strong case of "ferret math" this past
Saturday.  I actually put the gorgeous little baby panda with the bulldog
muzzle BACK into the display and left the store.  I even made it home
before thinking "...well, three can't be any harder to handle than two
are..." Luckily, with my work schedule, I won't be able to "just be in the
neighborhood" of that pet store (clear across town) until this weekend.  He
was way too cute to still be there in a week...will I feel better or worse
if he's gone?  And if he's still there?
 
Thank you in advance for your help with the prairie dog info.
 
Rhone
Badger and Bubbles (fearsome sock hunters)
Lucky (fat cat)
Ike (grumpy li'l hedgehog)
[Posted in FML issue 2940]