about ferrets....

Question
hello. i am interested in adopting a ferret. i LOVE ferrets and i hope that i can own one some day.but i have some concerns that i hope you can address. ...

1. i am highly allergic to cats. is a ferret most likely to cause problems for me?

2.i heard that ferrets smell really bad. is this true?

3.do ferrets like to be cuddled with and held?

4. are they very active?

5. are they clean or do they poop all over the place?

6. can they be vicious...do they bite?

7. do i have to worry about ferrets carrying disease?

8. how often do i have to bring a ferret to the vet? shots? vaccines?

9 are they expensive to maintain?

10. do you know where i can attain more information on where to adopt a ferret in my area?


thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions!

sincerely,
tina

Answer
Hello Tina! You were asking some good questions about ferrets! I am going to do my best to answer each of your questions:

1. I am highly allergic to cats. Is a ferret most likely to cause problems for me?
I cannot tell you for sure, but a ferret's coat is very different from a cat's coat, and they are not from the same species. But the only way to be sure is to ask your doctor. My personal opinion would be no you wouldn't be allergic, but again, there is no way I can tell you for sure.

2.i heard that ferrets smell really bad. is this true?

. They do have an odor, that is a musky and can turn some people off. They don't have it as babies, so unfortunately, a lot people are surprised by their odor they develop as adults.
It is a musky odor, caused by scent glands. All pet store ferrets are "neutered & descented," but there is still an odor...There are ways to lessen the odor, but not eliminate it. Diligent cleaning of the litter box, and their food are the best ways to control the odor. It is not a repugnant odor, just a little musky.


3. Do ferrets like to be cuddled with and held?
Most ferrets are playful, like Kittens. Their general personality is a lot like a kitten. Most younger ferrets would be pretty squirmy, but once they turn over a year old, they do like to held, but they like to see what's going on too. I would hold mine like a baby, over my shoulder, and they would be content there, because they could still see what's going on around them. They have undying curiosity.

4. are they very active?
The FEMALES tend to be a lot more hyper than the MALES, generally speaking. I much prefer the males because, of the two, the males tend to like to be held more, and are bigger, and calmer.

5. are they clean or do they poop all over the place?
They can be litter box trained, BUT  will  need to be taught (not like a cat that is instinctual) and are NOT 100% with the litter box.
And some ferrets never learn to be litter box trained (a few), which is a messy situation. They will go in the litter box about 90% of the time when in the cage, but when out of the cage, they will need to be "Pottied," which means every hour or so, put them back in their cage to go potty. I used to have to teach mine to go potty before they left the cage to play, and it takes a lot of patience, with a ferret staring at you for 15 minutes waiting for you to let him out, and me saying "GO POTTY!!" FINALLY he would go!!.


6. can they be vicious...do they bite?
An UNTRAINED ferret, that is left in a cage, and never handled can be mean. Just as a dog would be in the same circumstances. . A lot of Ferrets nip as babies, and need to be trained out of this behavior. If you do get a baby, try to find one that doesn't nip or nips very little, and makes eye contact with you, not one that is severely squirming and nipping. If you are picking out a baby, and he bites on your finger hard enough to draw blood, PUT HIM BACK, and pick another one. They will nip, but they can be trained not to, just like puppies. They think it is great fun, but unfortunately, very few people think its fun!
To help with biting, buy "BITTER APPLE" OR "BITTER LIME" at your local petstore. It is a bitter deterrent spray to be sprayed on your feet, socks or hands to deter nipping.
Very often it is found in the dog training isle, because it is used to prevent dogs from chewing. Most ferrets just need to get a couple of tastes of it, and No more nipping. I owned 10 ferrets all toll, and NONE OF THEM bit as adults.



7. Do I have to worry about ferrets carrying disease?
No, not at all. They are domestically bred.

8. How often do I have to bring a ferret to the vet? Shots? Vaccines?

New Kit: distemper at 8 weeks, 11-12 weeks, 14-15 weeks (i.e., booster at every 3-4 week interval). If purchased at the pet shop, ask the arrival date the kit came in and give the second booster 3 weeks after that date. Third booster in 3-4 weeks. Rabies can be administered as early as 12 weeks, but keep this shot separate from the distemper by 1 or 2 weeks. No booster is needed. Annual boosters are required for distemper and rabies. Keep these shots separate by 1-2 weeks and in case of reactions, wait at the vets for at least 20 minutes after the shot is given.
Generally the initial cost is about $40-$50, and boosters aren't very expensive, poss. $10-$20

9 are they expensive to maintain?
Not especially. The initial cost is about $200 including all supplies. Food, and toys, etc., can be purchased pretty reasonably.

10. Do you know where I can attain more information on where to adopt a ferret in my area?
You can call your local animal shelter, and ask for information on a Ferret Rescue in you area, or you can use this link, which will also help:
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/ferretshelters/

...A great book to get to help you along is called
"Ferrets for Dummies," by Kim Schilling.
It is very helpful to first time ferret owners!
Good Luck, and please feel free to ask anything else!
amy