File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
I need your advice, /an/.

Problem is I wanna have a ferret but I'm not sure if it would be a wise thing to do.

I never liked the idea of having a caged animal in my house and even though ferrets seem like cats or dogs, I've read the fuckers have to be kept in a cage almost at all times because they like to chew on cables, wreck carpets, so on and so forth.

This is a big problem. I have 3 computers, a tv and 3 gaming consoles I lying around. Also, the floor's carpet.

So...would it be possible at all to have a ferret without a cage? Can it be trained? How bad would it be if I decided to have it without a cage? halp
>> Anonymous
if you have 3 computers, i assume you have money, so you'd be really good about taking it to the vet, right?

if so, think about getting an older ferret. you'd be able to asses its personality better, and if it had a previous owner, you could ask them about its training and things like that.

but really, you shouldn't be so opposed to getting a cage. ferrets sleep a LOT, and that's all they'll do while in their cage. when i had some ferrets, i would let them out in the morning and they'd run around and have fun for about 4 hours.. then they'd crawl back into their cage and sleep for the rest of the day and night. if you really don't want a cage though, could you give your ferret one room to play in? it would make clean up a ton easier than if it had free run the whole house.
>> Anonymous
You can have them in a cage and let them out to play everyday. I don't know anyone who just lets them run around all the time, because they get into everything. There's no harm in keeping them in a cage sometimes, though. They just sleep when they're not in play mode.

They can't truly be litterbox trained like cats. They will use it a lot of the time, but then they will also randomly shit in a corner.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>309036
>> Anonymous
I have had a friend who kept one outside its cage all the time, and lets just say their natural instincts is to piss and take craps in the corners of the room you keep them in. Enjoy xD
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
i have 3 ferrets, they have a HUGE cage (best money can buy) they do sleep a lot, but when they aren't asleep they are out playing. the thing with ferrets is they need to be supervised at all times that they are out. even the best calmest ferret gets into trouble that could potentially kill them (ie cored chewing and ingesting foreign bodies ) as far as carpet is concerned they can and sometimes do tear up carpet. the way ive avoided this (not completely) is by providing them w/ a dig box, my box is a covered see through tote with rice in it and a hole cut into the top so they can get in and out of it w/ little to no mess. the thing with them is is that thy like having there own house w/ hammocks and beds and igloos and hidey holes, they are burrowers so they feel secure in there own house. just so long as they are provided w/ about 4-5 hours of play time out of there cage (they sleep the rest of the day)

they are just to curious and cheeky to be out unsupervised
they are a lot of work and need the time to be spent w/ they are a wonderful pet if you know what your doing

check out this forum http://www.maferrets.org/forums/index.php

they are EXTREEEEEEEEEEEEMLY knowledgeable and will further help w/ any questions

pic is my 3 all snuggly and happy in there house (aka condo)
>> Anonymous
>>309043
shit. i was sorta hoping that i could eventually not worry about the ferret shitting all over the carpet but...i guess i can't avoid that can i?
>>309060
;__; soooooooo cute
>> Anonymous
>>309094
Yeah, unfortunately I can tell you from personal experince from three ferrets... they WILL shit on your carpet at some point. And they don't have tidy little dry turds, either.. they have wet smelly shit that will soak in. Lovely, eh?

But honestly, if you can afford it, they're worth it. They are the most fun, most playful pets you can find. They're like joy incarnate.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
no they never stop shitting... my ferrets use the litter box like... maybe 70% of the time... but that other 30% is epic huge nasty craps of stink and doom!!!!! lovely creatures, wouldn't trade them in for the cutest puppy, love them more then life.... but they are shit factories and even the best ferret shits on the floor

ps i am>>309060
and here are more pics of my lovely's
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
I have free roaming ferrets and never had issues with them chewing on anything other than my cell phone because it makes noises but every ferret is different.

Since they do like to back up in corners, my advice is purchase puppy training pads and put them in the corners. If you have a corner litter box for them, it'll help with the issue of a ferret accidentally making a mess. As for the cables, get some of those cord covers that have the deterrent on them so they won't be tempted to chew.

Beware that ferrets will have the urge to climb and jump from things if they are there. So if you're computers are on the floor and they're near something with breakables like drinking glasses, you should move the computer. For your carpets, get a lot of that pet fresh powder and vacuum like.. once a week, it'll keep the place fresh.