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Anonymous
anyone here own ferrets? I was thinking of getting 2 ferrets for my apt, since they don't need to be walked, are small, and I've heard that if you get two, they keep each other busy.

do they smell or anything? unexpected expenses?
>> Anonymous
They smell HORRIBLE but they're crazy little fuckers and fun too.
>> Anonymous
>>309011
do you know if the ones you saw (smelled) were neutered and descented?
>> Anonymous
i had one since he was a pup till he passed years later.
he'd hate to be held, had a musk, and made a weird "unk" sound.
BUT, he was badass, would play with anyone anywhere, fetched anything i threw, and took anything shiny and hid it. he'd also roll around and get stuck in things
>> Anonymous
Get them fixed if they aren't, get a large easy to clean cage, and clean it daily, you won't regret it, they smell like ass. Get two, like you heard, they keep each other busy and they live to be older. I believe they can live to be around 6-7. You will love them, they are awesome, just make sure they don't get ahold of toilet paper, bastard ferrets make a mess. They also like to take small object and hide them in one spot. I had three, they were great pets. Let them run around the house as much as you can, they will need the exercise.
>> Anonymous
OP here- thanks for the info. after doing some research, ferret proofing sounds impossible. how do i protect my shit?
>> Anonymous
You don't. They clime, they chew, but generally they won't ruin shit, I didn't really have a problem with them braking crap, just keep small objects in a box or something, I had one steel a tv remote though, took me forever to figure out it was in the other room under the couch.
>> Anonymous
easiest way if you have a lot of shit, ferret proof only a few rooms, and let that be their domain. when you can keep an eye on them let them go in another not so safe room.
cracks, lightsockets, falls, holes, climbables, "bad" toys(like stess balls that can break apart, they will most likely find a place to shit, just put a litter box there, itll help.
and a ton of shit to burrow in, like blankets and things (mine loved pants laying around)
>> Anonymous
If they have a cage they can just walk into, leave it open, mine knew it was there washroom and they would go to it. Also, the price of litter and shit will pile up, so just use news paper to cover the bottom of the cage.
>> Anonymous
Not the OP but I was thinking about getting a ferret for my apartment. My question is how bad do they really smell?
>> Anonymous
>>309032
make sure that you smear some of their shit on the litterbox - then they will use it all the time in my experience. seems gross but meh.
>>309172
if you clean their litterbox daily and their cage fairly often, they smell like a guy after working out when his sweat has dried, but not as bad.
if you never clean up after them they smell like rotting garbage
>> Anonymous
ferrets tend to get sick more often than a lot of other pets. make sure that if you get one, you can afford the vet bill
>> Anonymous
Ferrets aren't easy pets. They are very prone to illiness. And since they are considered exotics the vet bill can be huge when they get adrenal etc which they will eventually get.

As for the smell, I have three. They don't smell. Key is to keep the cage clean, clean out the litter box twice a day. Wash their bedding(old shirts fleece blankets) once a week, replace food/water daily of course. Only give them a bath once every few months.

Two ferrets are nice to have but when they are in their cage they will just sleep. As you already know they sleep a lot. You'll still need to let them out of cage to play atleast 4 hours a day. I personally think they are more work then my dog...

Google Ferret Forums, pick either one of the first two that will pop up. That'll help you a lot and see if ferrets are right for you.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>309249listen to this anon! a VERY wise anon!
u sound EXACTLY like me!!!!!!!! hahaha i always give the same advice!

here are 2 of my 3 crazys...
>> Bewbs
Something I also suggest is to get one from a shelter. The easiest way to find your local shelter that has some ferrets is petfinder.com . While you can pick one up at craigslist for either free or a small price they will more than likely need some type of training whether it's litter box or bite training.

Don't think these little guys are like cats or dogs because they need a lot more attention. Please read as much as you can before getting one.
>> Anonymous
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>>309251
Dunkin I presume!?@!@?!
>> Anonymous
Ferrets roll in their own urine and .. well.. How would you smell if you rolled in ferret urine regularly?

We were giving our ferret a bath once a week and he still reeked!

... as far as getting 2. Um.. DOUBLE TROUBLE! They will tag team your ass !
>> Anonymous
>>310058
troll

also my ferret goes into dead sleep or somthing its called,its hilarious i can do anything to him!Altho he's been like that for about a month :D...Oh wait..
>> Anonymous
I had two ferrets and they smelt like poison/strong urine.
Wrost smell ever.
Get 2 bunnies instead, you don't have to walk them and they don't stink like ass.
>> Anonymous
They reek of piss and are blind as hell.
>> Anonymous
FERRETS!!!!!!!!!!
>> pros and cons Anonymous
>>309003
I think they are the perfect pets for apt. & me. Most of the pro-ferret advice here was good. My tips or experience:

1) Very quiet animals, but they will watch you all the time and try jedi mind tricks on you to let them out more. ;)

2) If they smell bad, it is usually due to neglect by the pet owner. Clean bedding, change litter, and bathe them as needed- mine get bathed about 2x a month. Use a very mild tear free baby shampoo so you don't hurt their eyes.

3) I let them play in the bathroom unsupervised as it is ferret proof. No need for buying toys they will likely ignore. Mine love old jeans/ pants to burrow in, sacks and boxes filled with dirty laundry or newpaper to scatter and explore, and towels in the bathtub so they can jump in and out to get a drink.

4) If you have them with your gf, just look at it as a trial run to decide if you want kids later or not.

5) They instinctively back their asses up and poop in corners, usually the same one. So just put down a sheet of newspaper each time when they are out.

6) They will dig and claw up carpet, so best if you have a room for them without it if they are out long or not watched. Also no foam rubber as they love the texture and will eat it, and it will block their tiny intestines and it is a serious death risk.

7) You can teach them tricks with the ferret treats. Both of mine will roll over like a dog. Or do barrel rolls. ;)

8) Adopt if you can. Keep in mind they do live for 6 - 8 years average, and are somewhat expensive overall with shots, food, vet care etc. so if not sure about your comittment as a pet owner, may want to get a shorter lived pet like mice, hamsters, etc.