Ferret or ferrets? Better to get one or two

Question

I am looking at getting a ferret, i have done a bit of research and haven't come across as to whether its better to have one ferret by its self or two together. Some stuff says they are solitary creatures, but a lot of people have multiples in their houses.

I have a large cage already 100cm x 60cm x 40cm (roughly) so space is not an issue.

I'm more worried that if i have one it will be lonely - or if i get two that they will fight.

Answer 1

I had only one and it did fine for alot of years until it died, I say as long as you have time for it one is fine.

Answer 2

ferrets are socible creatures and love nothing more than to be with another ferret, you can of course have a ferret on its own if you can provide it with lots and lots of time.. as you have the space for two i would definatly say get two they would be better behaved as they can get rid of any excess energy onto eachother and can keep eachother company whilst you are not there, research some more, maybe get the 'ferrets for dummies' book it will tell you everything you need to know. good luck:)

Answer 3

If you only get one ferret, it can live a happy life as long as you provide it with lots of attention. The nice thing about having multiple ferrets is that they'll have each other to play with when you're not home or when you just don't have the time to get down and play with them. When you only have one ferret, you are its only playmate. You are the one that will need to entertain it and keep it from getting bored. Don't get me wrong, no matter how many ferrets you have, they will all need your attention, but having multiple ferrets means you won't have to be the one entertaining it all the time. If you have something you need to do (like school work if you're still a student), then you can go work on that while your ferrets entertain each other (you should still keep an eye on them to make sure they aren't getting into something they shouldn't - keep them confined to one room). Then, once your done, go play with them and give them attention.

Like you, I've read different things about ferrets being solitary but other sources say they're very social. From my experience, they're very social animals. My opinion - if you think you'll have the time to give one ferret all the attention it needs, then try it. You can always get a second one later. If you don't think you have enough time, then two or more would be better. I actually think three is the perfect number (if you decide to go with multiple ferrets). The reason being, ferrets can become very depressed if a cagemate passes on. With three ferrets, even if one passes on, there will still be two and they will be less likely to become depressed after the loss of one. As for fighting, I have five now that I got at different times and from different places - there was never a problem with fighting (all of them are neutered) and they get along great with each other.

EDIT: If you were still wondering about the whole solitary or social thing, then I have a little more info about that for you (I was still wondering because I know I've heard both, too, so I had to look into it some more). Anyway, most people agree that ferrets are most closely related to the European polecats, which are solitary animals. So, if ferrets were living in the wild, they would most likely be solitary as well and not live together in groups. According to "Ferrets for Dummies," some ferrets do revert back to normal adult polecat behavior and will prefer to be alone. They didn't really become group animals until after being domesticated. I have one ferret now (he was actually my first) that I consider a "solitary ferret." He's not mean or nasty towards the other ferrets, but he does seem to prefer being alone. When they're out playing, the other four will be playing with each other and Dodger will be off by himself or nuzzling up with me. He does play with the other ferrets from time to time, so I wouldn't say he's a totally solitary ferret, but you can tell that he doesn't need the other ferrets to be happy. So, hopefully, that helps clear up the solitary or social thing. Even if you do end up with a ferret that prefers being alone, he/she could still get along with other ferrets. It's rare for a ferret to hate another ferret so much that it fights with the other nonstop. I still say three is the perfect number (but more is always better, if you can afford it!).

Answer 4

Ferrets can be solitaire animals. Having one would be ok. Many Ferret owners have one. However if you have only one in order to keep it from getting into trouble will require more attention and more time out of cage and more enrichment in and out of the cage. Not that this will keep it out of trouble all together, LoL, but it will help.

Ferrets are social animals. If you want to make sure your ferret is not lonely two is better. Now Ferrets can and often will bond with another ferret and if you have two and one dies your remaining ferret may become depressed and may even die itself. I recommend a minimum of three so there is always a buddie.

I am owned by five and i have rescued six others

Answer 5

I have 3. I started with one and had her for 2 months before I got my second. Sure my first ferret was happy but when I got my second ferret she was ecstatic. Ferrets are group animals and do best when in a group of in ferret terms "business" I got my third ferret a month and a half ago and now my first one is even more happy. We can classify my second one as ecstatic now. The way I see it with the way they react towards each other the more ferrets I have the happier everyone will be.

either way you must let them out for at least 4 hours a day for play and excersise.

Ferrets will only "fight" for the first day or so to show dominance then all is well. If you are interested in more information contact me.

Answer 6

i own 16 ferrets, i work at a ferret rescue and also breed them once a year. none of my ferrets stay in cages and they are all litter box trained, when i introduce a new ferret into the pack they "fight" over who is more dominate, this last's maybe one day. i've never had one ferret injure another. i will say that ferret seem to be more happy when they have a companion, a playmate if you will. where i'm from you have to have a special liscense to keep an un-neutered or un-spayed ferret, but to really have a ferret fight on your hands you'd have to own more than 2 un-fixed ferrets. in short 2 is a perfect number.