do ferrets stink?

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 and thank you for your questions

1. I have read in sevral places that ferrets are less likely to cause allergies in a person who is alergic to cats or dogs

2. Ferrets have a sort of musky smell but I relly do not mind it but some people find it awful but if you put on some of that "dry bath powder" stuff daily and brush it out then they smell a little less, also never ever bathe a ferret more offen then needed... a bath every two/three months will safice as too frcuint bathing dries out there skin causing there body to produce more musk oil and they will smell worse!

3. Some ferrets like to be held & petted more then others but for the most the would rather be running around then sitting in a lap, most however do enjoy a tummy tickle during play time

4. Ferrets are VERY active, they run around like mad when let out of there cage, they start making a "dook" noise constanly and bounce around, this is very intertaining and funny at times, they "dook" because there happy!

5. Most will learn to use a litter pan or if the paticular one you get doesnt like to use a litter pan it will indeed go in the corners of its cage

6. Anything can bite if provocted, but for the most part baby ferrets will nip when they play if they bite too hard you can tell them no in a firm voice and or give them a time out in there cage or you can use bitter apple spray on your hands/toes but then of coarse this will stop them from ever licking you as they think they'll get a mouthfulof bitter apple spray! Also when palying a ferret will run toward you with its teeth showing but don't worry he is just over excited.

7. A ferret needs vaccines just like a cat or dog, but there are very few(if any) illnesses that you can catch from your ferret but I really haven't heard anything about us being able to catch things from them, WARNING: if you have a cold or flu don't kiss your ferret or play too close with him until your better as your ferret can catch your colds!

8. A young ferret(called a kit as in kitten) needs three vaccines in its first years and one vaccine per year after that.

9.They are about as expensive to maintan as cats

10. I don't have any idea where you could find this but if you look around maybe in google.com you should find something.


I hope this helps if you have any more questions feel free to ask