I want to get a ferret....

Question

I just wanted a bit of real advice about ferrets. I live in Ontario so they are legal, and I know they are a popular pet as they are now the 3rd most popular in the US.

I share a house with 3 other people, so I would have to keep it in my room. My room is large, so there is room for a large care which he would be in most of the day.

How bad is the smell, really, in a room if the ferret is descented? (Room is maybe 13 feet by 13 or so.)

I know they sleep alot, but are also nocturnal.. Will he keep me up all night?

If I am allergic to cats, is it likely I will be alergic to a ferret? (I know they are of similar demenour but not sure about their actual.... ferrety-ness)

I work 7am-6pm so would it be ok for it to be in it's cage for that long?

What is the overall price (other than the inital cost of the ferret and cage and some toys) monthly? As far as food, bedding, and other ferret supplies that have to be replaced often?

Any help/stories/advice would be appreciated!

Answer 1

A ferret that is fed a high quality diet without fish, not bathed often, but has cage cleaned and bedding washed often, doesn't smell that much.  It is just a slight musk from the oils.  It does linger, though.  I used to do ferret rescue and had several ferrets in a room devoted to them.  The room has been empty for about 2 years and well cleaned, and I can still smell ferret in the room.

If your ferret is in a cage all day and you don't let him out for several hours at night, he will have a lot of energy and might dig or chew on the cage at night.  Otherwise, they are quiet and shouldn't keep you up.

I don't know about allergies.  There is a decent chance of it, so I would expose yourself several times to ferrets before you actually buy one.

The ferret will get used to your schedule and can sleep for the 11 hours you are gone, but needs to be let out plenty while you are home.

Food and litter may be about us$20/month, but the most expensive part is vet care.  You should begin a savings account ideally, and anticipate that vet bills will be $500-1000 over its lifetime.

Answer 2

Ferrets are one of the best pets i've ever had! It's good you have room for a large cage, since you work most of the day. I don't think the smell is that bad, but everybody is different about that. If they are descented and you scoop the litterbox when needed, it's definitely not as bad.

They sleep 16-20 hours a day, but they are not exactly nocturnal. because they sleep so much, they may be the right pet for you. You are gone 7-6 so when you get home you can play with them for about 3 hours, also if possible in the moring just visit with them a little.

I'm allergic to cats, but i wasn't allergic to my ferrets, so probably you wouldn't be either.

They are very expensive when yuo first get them. I don't know about Canada money, but our ferrets were about $100 each(we got 2) and our 4-story cage was about $150-$200. That's not even counting food, toys, etc.... But after you buy all of that stuff, then it gets pretty low cost, with just buying food and some toys every month or so.

Good lukc, and I hope I helped!

Answer 3

The cages are very expensive and ferrets are hard to look after.

I wanted one but my parents would'nt let me because they are really hard to look after.

Answer 4

1st off descented basicly means that the store keeper smelt the rear end after a long bath and didnt smell anything. (a better way to sell something if it doesnt stink right?) they stink horribly. your friends will never want to come into your room ever. large or not the smell will hurt your head. you cant use air fresheners because they will harm your pet. litter box or not the pet will pee/poo all over your room. when they get mad they bite. HARD. they have sharp teeth that will brake skin with even a soft nibble...i had a ferret for 1 yr. at 1 day old! they smell bad,,,my opologiez but i would find a new pet if you  dont want a stable smell coming from your room.