Getting a new ferret

Question
Okay, I have a few other questions, too:
Compare the smell of a ferret to that of a mouse: Do they smell worse, better, or about the same?
Also, do they get their sicknesses about as often as normal cats and dogs, or more?
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Followup To

Question -
I really badly want a female ferret, but I was wondering about a few things: Do they stink? If they do, how badly?
How many health problems do they get, what are they, and how easily do they get them?
I've been looking all over the internet to email a ferret expert, but I couldn't find any. If I like the sound of the ferrets, then I may have more questions, so I was wondering if you could answer my questions via email. My email address is thesoggycardboardbox@yahoo.com

Answer -
Hello Donna and thank you for your questions, I would be happy to anwser your questions but over the allexperts.com would be best for me... sorry if it incoviences you at all.

Yes ferret stink they hvave a musky oudar even the spayed/neurered and descented ferrets have the smells its just the way ferrets are. i don't mind the smell when I smell the ferrets in the petshops it reminds me of the first day I had my first ferret Ferry. Constant bathing would make them smell worse it made mine stink a whole lot more. A ferret must be neutered or spayed to be a pet males would stink so much it would be unbearable and females go into heat and don't come out of heat until bred if not bred they get cancers and die Its sad really. Most quaility petstores carry spayed/neutered and descented ferrets. Descenting removes anal scent sacs that are sort of like a skunk hasm but the smell is said to be washoffable and doesnt smell half as bad it is also said that they can not spray it but relese a few drops when extreamly frightened which in a pet enviroment isnt likely anyways. Ferrets unlike hamster/guiena pigs or rabbits need vaccines likes dogs and cats they can contract rabies and feline distemper both are fatal, vaccines pervent these illnesses. Cancer is a big problem in ferret as they get older i was told, they tend to get cancer at around 4 years of age and tuamrs are very comman as they reach that age as well not every ferret will get these things but you must be perpared to pay for vet bills as high as for a cat or dog. They live perfectly well on high quaility kitten foods, I could reccomend good brands. Ferret foods aren't all there cracked up to be really kitten food is better. They love to spay, are awsome little pets... will play with you for an hour or so then pass out in the middle of the floor for a few more! They give kisses belive it or not and can get along fine with dogs and cats, They arent great with birds reptiles or rodents they may try eat them...eek! A xlarge ferret cage is the best way to go because they are very active and if you only have one a larger cage leaves room for more toys. They get into trubble easily because of there shape and size... anywhere there head goes they will follow, They can be taught to sit up like a small dog and take a treat from your hand, some liek water some don.t bathes can be very messy. A ferret is as expesvie to upkeep as a cat or small dog they are however more readily excepted in rental units because they are basicly cages pets. THey live 6/10 years and can be leash/harness trained also but you follow the ferret not the other way around.



If you need more info, facts or anything else regarding ferrets don't hessitate to ask a follow up or two.

Answer
Hell donna, Mice.. the males tink horribley a ferret has a mucky smell all over it body... not in its urine or poop.. they are lightly musky... I honestly liek teh smell call me weird but like I said it reminds me of my little male i got years back. THey in my option do not stink as much as male mice, you would have to go hadnle some ferrets at a shop before knowing how bad they really smell.... people keep thme in there bedroom and living rooms and have many more then jsut one that run around there house once or twice everyday so they aren't unbearablely stinky by anymeans. Cancer or tumars are more comman in ferrets then dogs or cats I belive, with vaccines they wont be feline distemper or rabies from another wild animal those are perventable. With a quaility diet, plenty of exercise, lots of safe toys, a clean home and a loving owner they should not get any infections or things of that sort the same goes for dogs and cats.... if you don't wipe the eye goop from your persian cat or maltese dog every few das they can get eye infections, ifcats are made pee in dirty litter pans they may get a bladar infection... its understandable. Sorry for my mispelling my 3 month old female Boston Terrier wont stop licking me lol.... shes watching me type. If possible call around locale shops adn ask about ferrets if they have them and what they thin about there smell, checking a lcole rescue for ferrets is a great idea also the resuce may be able to help with important questions also, Ferret rescues re very comman now check yuor phone book for numbers. I reccomend getting to know some ferrets at any of the above places before taking one home they are speacil pet... not a keep in cage all teh tiem hamster or wtahc but leave be reptile or fish they need out of cage time... ltos of it daily play sessions and time with there fave person.. You, they require a meat diet like cats or dogs and extra care must be taken to avoid them getting into something they shouldnt or eatting there toys! Not trying to turn you  off ferrets there great... but are high energy and need someone willing to take this into account before buying, They are always active wehn not sleeping and are like having a bosterus puppy for 6/10 years! If you need anything else feel free to ask.