I want a ferret but should I get two instead?

Question

It would be much better for me to have one and I have plenty of time to spend with it. But I hear people saying that they prefer to have a playmate. Would it be OK to have just one or should I get two?

Answer 1

I wouldn't get even one. Ferrets are pooping machines. They are cute and playful little animals with big personalities, but the fore mentioned liability make them from my perspective an undesirable pet.

Give it some thought, look in newspaper classified at at the ferrets for sale or give aways.

Answer 2

one is OK to have just by its self

think of it this way you can spend more time with it

if u have two it will be hard to spend equal time with them

but how ever ferrets do like playmates

Answer 3

get one because if you get two it'll p**p even more

Answer 4

It is okay to just get one. The CAN live alone, but i would RECOMMEND getting 2. I had 2 and when one died, i found the other one not as playful. If you don't get two, they can't dook around with each other, it's really cute when they do. Ours just kibnda walked around when she was out of her cage, and i tried to play with her but she just wasn't in the mood anymore i guess. They need atleast 4hours out of their cage a day, can you do that? If you can't get 2, but if you can it might be ok to just get one.

Answer 5

Yes I would have at least 2. When I got my first one I had her for 2 months before I got my second. She was playful and all but a little depressed. This girl had her for a year and half and didn't have the time for her that's why she sold her. When I got my second she turned into a completely different ferret. Now that I have my third as of July 2nd she acts like a little kit now. She is so happy and hyper I am glad I gave her a good home.

Answer 6

it is perfectly fine to get just one feret it just means it will be more bonded with you. but watch out ferrets are kinda lik potatoe chips it's really hard to just have one. after i got my firts one i couldn'tstop at one point i had 6. good luck

Answer 7

It's all a matter of how much time you have and what you can afford.

One ferret is perfectly fine on it's own, they can be just as happy with a human companion (even more so sometimes) as they are with a ferret buddy.

Two ferrets are twice the p**p, twice the food, twice the time (training & playing), and twice the cost. The vet bills for two ferrets can add up really fast, they can get sick at any age and with two ferrets it's possible they will both get something as they share a litter box, food dish & water bottle.

There are advantages to having one, they do form a very strong bond with you and you'll not have issues should they not actually get along (which can happen, not all ferrets like each other).

Having two you do have the fun of watching them play ferrety games, sleeping together and forming a bond with two similar yet totally unique animals.

Find out what you can afford and the time that you have to invest in them and decide what is best for your lifestyle. In the long run if it works with your lifestyle and routine your ferret will benefit the most as they will have a mom that can raise a happy healthy pet.

Answer 8

I think, and this is my personal opinion, that having only one ferret is kind of mean. Ferrets are super social, and unless you plan on packing it around with you everywhere you go (which isn't practical, so rethink this) it would be locked in a cage (or room) by itself and be bored and lonely. I have two, and it is the same amount of work as one, with twice the fun. They love to snuggle together and play together. I don't have to feel bad if I only get to spend a couple of hours with them, because they spend all their time entertaining each other. They also groom each other, which cuts down on the amount of grooming I have to do, which they don't particularly like (cleaning ears and baths). Get two - despite the initial cost, the maintanence cost is relatively the same and you will have happy, healthy ferrets.

I would also encourage you to do some serious research into ferret behaviour and care before buying them. They are almost as much work as a two year old child, and I feel that locking them in a cage (however large it may be) for 23 hours a day is not a very nice life for them. They will steal all your prize belongings, and make you want to rip out your hair at 7 am when you are late for work and can't find your car keys. They p**p a lot, and aren't exactly easy to litter train. They will "dig" large holes in your carpets, this is a natural instinct for them. And they have a very distinct smell to them that will not go away with frequent bathing (this makes it stronger) and is not a factor of descenting. Despite the above info, they are amazingly cute and well worth the effort if you have time to put in and a lot of energy. I love my little guys to pieces.

Answer 9

If you have enough time then it is perfectly fine to have just one. It's if he'll be alone alot of the time, then you can get him a buddy. But he'll be fine if you're there with him and give him enough of attention

Answer 10

It is ok to have one when you have lots of time to spend with him/her. But two it great. They are able to play together while your not home. And they LOVE to sleep with another ferret.

I have 8 and since one hammie cant hold all 8 they lay on the blanket at the bottom so they can be together. In my oppinon I say two is always better. But as long at you can give one Tons of attention that is ok. Just make sure he/she has a big stuffed animal to sleep with while in the cage.