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Thread: What do I do about my ferret?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Abbeynormal's Avatar
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    Sad What do I do about my ferret?

    I know some of you on here have ferrets ( or 10! *wink) so I thought I'd ask for your advice. I can't really find any good forums online for ferret-owners.

    Here is the situation: My boyfriend and I got a ferret at the beginning of September and she is the cutest, and (sometimes) sweetest thing. She is kept in a cage but gets at least two hours outside of her cage each day. Lately I've been feeling that getting her was not such a good idea. I've read that this happens to LOTS of people with ferrets when they realize the trouble they can cause. She is soooo much work. She isn't fuly litter-trained (and I'vebeen told she never will be), she finds a way past any barrier we build for her to keep her away form dangerous areas of the house (wires, etc.), and she is pulling up our carpet. Not to mention the fact that travelling with her is an absolute bitch.

    Ever since my boyfriend switched jobs, we have had less and less time to play with her, and I know that this makes her frustrated and aggressive. I love her so much, and it would break my heart to see her leave my home, but I've been wondering if maybe there's a better home for her elsewhere. I'm crying about it even as I'm typing this, but I just get so frustrated about it, and sometimes really wish we had the house to ourselves again.

    Long post, I know. Your thoughts?
    "This above all: to thine own self be true."

  2. #2
    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    Okay - options
    -get rid of her. I know that people have the idea that it is wrong and irresponsible to get pets and then get rid of them when they turn out to be work. And they are right. It is. However you are not doing her or yourself any favours, nor are you being at all responsible miskeeping your ferret

    However if you are interested in making it work

    -get another one. Ferrets are extremely social. I would never recommend that someone get two dogs to keep each other company - in fact I recommend the opposite. Ferrets, I think it borders on cruel to keep just one. When you see them playing together you will understand.

    -let her (or both of them) out more. Ferrets sleep a lot. But they also need lots up up time - high up time. If she's being destructive she probably doesn't have any interesting toys. Hang a bag from a slinky or something. My ferrets were out all the time - they went into their cage when we were eating to keep them from leaping into our bowls.

    -get better barriers. It can be done. They are wiley, I know, but you can contain them to one room

    -Make time to play with them. Ferrets are not generally lap-bunnies, but they really like to play with you.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    Senior Member Abbeynormal's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    Does it really make things easier to own two? I know they enjoy playing together, but I'm picturing cleaning up twice the poop, putting down twice the amount of carpet again, and generaly having to keep my eye on two toddlers instead of one. I'm not opposed, but i'm terrified of getting two, realizing it's too much work, and then having to either get rid of both of them anyways.
    "This above all: to thine own self be true."

  4. #4
    Pamela
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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    With out sounding rude.

    People need to research before getting a pet!!!!!! This is why many animals end up FREE to good home.

    And don't count on a pet store being of much help.

    Google Ferrets

    Or here a ferrest is much like having a small dog not cat. They demand attention from their owners!

    A very large wire cage that has multile levels are great! Toys hanging off of various areas to bat around (and the ferret will learn to do this) and water and food bowls hooked to the side is a perfect ferret home. You can put a cat bed inside etc.

    The animal will poop it will fall to the bottom of the cage! Still you need to spend more than 3 hours a day with the animal, this can be done in shifts!

    And NO, you do not need to walk it on a leash. Most like to come out and play with a toy, OR if without handling for a time they can become biters, ans wont want to play with you.

    It's work either way.

    Learn about an animals habits before you purchase. It's the best advice of all!

    Good luck,

    Pamela

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    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    Well there will definitely be twice the poop. I don't the equation would work out to twice the carpet though. And it would make things "easier" for her because a lone ferret is lonely - even with animals of other breeds, a single ferret experiences a bone deep loneliness that it doesn't even know is there until it has another ferret. Other ferret parents can chime in here, but that was my ferrety experience.

    Look this is one of those things where you have to make a choice between making it work or not - if you are looking for someone to tell you it's okay to get rid of her - here you go. I disapprove. I have done too much animal rescue and re-placement to approve of people casually getting pets and then getting rid of them when they get inconvenient or less cute. However, if you are not interested in putting the pet time - and that means the ferret proofing, ferret cleaning and ferret cuddling and ferret playing - then getting rid of her is inevitable and there is no point in making her miserable while you work up to that inevitability. I'm sorry. In a way I really want to help you out - to tell you that it's okay, that it's in her best interests. I really do. But I really think what would be in her best interest would be for you and your boyfriend to buck up and live up to the commitment you made to her when you got her and just getting used to a new responsibility. Seriously - I am not judging you - I know how it sounds. I'm just reminding you.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    Okay, I've worked with a ferret shelter for a long time. Lots of people bring them in (can't bring them into ASPCA shelters since they are for dogs and cats.) It's really not that bad and I t hink you should consider that.

    Don't get a second ferret. You can't really take care of one, so don't bring another one in the house. The problem isn't that the ferret isn't socializing with another ferret. it's that you are neglecting it. Also, ferrets are like dogs or cats in that they can be social and bonded with other ferrets, but some absolutely HATE other ferrets and need to be an only ferret.

    Sometimes I can't spend a lot of time with my ferrets, but they have a huge room to play in and they are seniors (seniors spend less time socializing and playing and more time laying around.) I don't know how I'd feel if they had to be cooped up in a cage all day. The are not like hamsters or rats. They need exercise and it's abusive like it would be to leave a dog in a cage all the time.

    People get animals all the time without researchnig it all the way. Ferrets are high-maintenance and I've seen LOTS go through the doors of the shelter. People think because they are small, that they will be easy to take care of, but as you know, they are not and a lot of people end up dumping them on somene else. Luckily most shelters are no-kill and the younger singles that can socialize with other ferrets get adopted pretty easily. it's when someone comes in with a group of ferrets that there are issues getting them adopted out, without breaking up the group. This is why I dont' think you should get another.

    I say get rid of her. You made a bad judgment call, but give the ferret another chance at a good home. I'm sure there are ferret shelters where you are.

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    Senior Member Abbeynormal's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    I guess it comes down to I knew that I was going to have to work hard at it, I just didn't know I was going to have to work THAT hard. Even with a full wight ours outside of her cage and three or four hours personal attention form me, she still makes me feel like I'm not doing enough for her.

    Please understand, this was not a decision I made on a whim. I researched and researched and thought long and hard before I got her, but I still am overwhelmed by how tough it is. I've had several puppies in my life that I have trained, cared for, cleaned up after, and loved. (I would have gotten a dog now, but I can't where I live) But I feel like she's twice as much work as they ever were.
    "This above all: to thine own self be true."

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    Senior Member Abbeynormal's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    I meant to say eight hours, in stead of wight ours
    "This above all: to thine own self be true."

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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    Abbey- Let me know what you decide. If you feel like it won't work out, I might be able to take on another one (maybe). If that's what you decide and it would ease your mind to know who she went with, I'm sure we could work something out.

    I really do hope you can keep her, though!

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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    Get it a cat to play with. Mine loved cats, but there all different. Mine were fully house trained. I had 5 at one time. Someday I would like to have another, they are like kids they need a lot of play time.
    "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    Quote Originally Posted by big_daddy
    Get it a cat to play with. Mine loved cats, but there all different. Mine were fully house trained. I had 5 at one time. Someday I would like to have another, they are like kids they need a lot of play time.
    Boy, isn't that the truth! They are crazy little furballs, to say the least!

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    I know a woman with 20+ ferrets and 7 cats (and she's not that weird!) and the cats and ferrets don't really mingle only because the cats are more interactive with the people of the house. They aren't caged and they sleep in the bed and on the furniture. The ferrets are't allowed in most of the house. It's not a good relationship. Some of the cats are afraid of the ferrets, indifferent, or just mean. None are friendly.

    I had a roommate with a cat. The cat would jsut hang out in the ferret room and stank them....would wack them with his paw when they went to check him out. Then I had one ferret that would chase the cat out and bite his ankles.

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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    Contact ferret rescue in your area. If you can foster your ferret until space opens up, your chances of getting her adopted out to a good home will increase greatly. Also offer to donate money and supplies to the rescue group for taking your ferret in- many are strapped and if you're giving up your animal, it's the least you can do. I did rescue, and the money came out of my own pocket 90% of the time for supplies/vet bills/etc for my rescues. My adoption fee barely covered the money and time I spent on my rescued cats and dogs. Often, the difference between being able to take in another resuce depended on whether the person could foster the animal until space opened up, and/or the person giving up the animal could cover supplies and costs.

    Pm me and let me know your location, and I can send you contact info for local ferret rescues. I would definitely choose a private rescue most of the time over shelters. They often have stricter adoption policies and generous adoption return policies as well.

    when you contact them, let them know your situation. If you can foster until they have space, let them know that, and also let them know that (if you are going to) you will be willing to donate (desperately needed) money and supplies.

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    God/dess onlythebest's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do I do about my ferret?

    I'm sorry to hear about your situation.I hope there is a solution for you soon.

    *HUGS*
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