Getting a ferret for the First time

Question
I have been reading about ferrets for about 2 weeks now. Ever since my chinchilla died. I still have a few minor questions I am hoping you can answer.
1. Does my ferret need special ferret shampoo?
2. Will my cats eat it or the other way around?
3. What gender is usually the better pick? (whether it be for social or health reasons)
4. Will it get along with anyone?
5. Can they climb steps?

Please answer these questions. I live in a 2 story house with a basement. Its generally clean with a bunch of wires in my room.

Answer
Hello Jenn,

Congratulations! Ferrets are pretty amazing pets and I hope you'll enjoy keeping them as much as the rest of us ferret parents :)!

1. For bathing ferrets, there are special ferret shampoos which are best but you can also use sensitive skin kitten shampoo! Bathing ferrets actually strips their skin of the natural oils that make them a little musky in the first place, so their skin will overproduce oils to compensate and if you bathe a ferret too often, you'll actually make that distinct odor even worse.
2. Cats and ferrets generally get along better than dogs and ferrets, but they need to be supervised at ALL times (even after it seems they get along) when around each other because they can both do some serious damage to each other!
3. Both genders of ferrets are pretty amazing, and generally you'll get one that is already fixed, so their behavior isn't that much different. You'll just have their own little quirks and mannerisms to deal with!
4. Like I said, I can't tell you how your ferret will behave. They have distinct personalities just like other pets and people!
5. They can climb steps, but they can also fall down them!

I hope this answers your questions and if you need anything else at all, please don't hesitate to ask! You should look into picking up a copy of Ferrets for Dummies, by Kim Schilling, edition 2. It is a great resource for new and experienced ferret parents!

Sincerely,
Emilee Andrews