Ferret?

[Karried]

First off, just typing this has my heart pounding like crazy. I can't stand to be even in a pet store with a rodent.... omg!! those beady eyes!

Anyway, of course, as is my luck, this is all my 10 year old had wanted in his lifetime (other than drums) so for about 6 years, I've been saying... 'no way, never in my lifetime will I Have a rodent in a cage in my home'... but he insists they are more like kittens.. his birthday is in a few weeks and of course, that's all he wants... heavy sigh.

Since I've never gotten close enough to one to even notice what the heck they look like and I don't even want to pull up pics... would you say they are more rodent like or kitty like???

In the spirit of trying to overcome this phobia, I'm thinking if we get a baby, I might be able to get past this...

So... has anyone ever had one?

Do they make good pets, are they clean? omg, I can't even believe I'm considering it... do they bite??? aggghh!

[Luke]

My brother had one.

Yuck.

It's a thumbs down from me.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

If you have ferrets, rats, sugar gliders, hamsters, or gerbils, you don't have pets....You have an infestation.

[Karried]

okay, just as I thought. ugh... I so have the creeps right now!

I'm going with my original gut instinct.... 'no ferret... in 7 years kid, you can get all the rodents you want'.

[MadMonk]

I once had a friend that had a couple ferrets. They go out of their cage all the time and would nip at you now and again if tried to handle them. They were mean little SOBs. I'll never have one in my house.

I had a hamster when I was a kid. It was interesting and cool at first, but I quickly became bored with it. It's hard to have fun playing with a hamster.

[sweetdaisy]

OMG, I cannot believe the statements on here!

Ferrets are awesome pets and are quite fun. The people I know that have them really enjoy them and the ones I've handled are fabulous and have NEVER bitten. They can be very playful and affectionate and a great companion animal. Also, they are NOT rodents.

It's easy to get information on ferrets via the internet. Here's a decent link to get started: Ferret Central

It'll give you some basic information about ferrets. Just like any pet, research and care should be taken before adopting one.

IMO, the only drawback to a ferret is it's unique odor, but if you are good about washing your hands, it shouldn't be a huge problem.

Karried, try to get over this "phobia" and educate yourself about the animals (not just opinions from 3 people) before you say no.

[Luke]

IMO, the only drawback to a ferret is it's unique odor...

I guess that's one way to put it.

*gags*

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

I guess that's one way to put it.

*gags*

Yeah...I was intentionally leaving that out.

*gags with you*

[Karried]

A kitten it is...lol

I was going to ask for a definition of unique earlier but my imagination ran wild and I changed my mind....
thanks all for the input.

Back to the drawing board...

[TaoMaas]

You should get him a bird and say, "Ferret? Oh....I thought you said you wanted a PARROT!"

[Martin]

^
just don't get him a norwegian blue.

-M

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

lol...I'd get a ferret before I got a bird.

[Bobby821]

Like a previous poster said Ferrets are not rodents. We have a ferret she is not caged at all has free roam of the house in fact she lives under our kitchen sink most of the time or sometimes we will find her in our bed between the sheet and mattress pad all curled up asleep. She does not bite and if you bathe them on a regular basis there is hardly any smell. They are fun animals to have around just imagine a kitten on steroids they are a real live wire and will give you lots of laughs througout there life which on average is 8-10 yrs. They need excercise and human interaction to be taught what they can and can not do they are determined little buggers though so it does take some patience to train them. If you are thinking of getting one I would highly reccomend you purchase one from Alligator Alley in OKC, they are spayed and neutered already as well as descented and come with a 1 yr warrenty. Price range is around 140.00 + accessories

[Karried]

Descented? How does that work? Does it mean they remove a gland or something?

[Luke]

I'll bet you could descent a skunk.

[sweetdaisy]

Luke, it is entirely possible to descent skunks. In some cities/towns, it is legal to keep skunks as pets, so descenting them is advised. Apparently, they are much like having a cat as a pet.

The unique odor of ferrets is not terrible or overwhelming. It's a muskier scent and is quite tolerable, but it is always advisable to wash your hands after handling them (as with any animal or small child).

And I'd get 100 ferrets before I'd ever get a parrot. You want to talk about bites? Sheesh...check out the beaks on those things some time. Yike!

[redcup]

Hmmm, in his first 16 years...my son had an iguana, tree frog, python, garden snakes, tarantula, mice (the white version), fish, and more that I can't remember at this time. And yes, we had a ferret! Loved the little critter. He was sweet and clean. But be careful, they are good escape artists. The rule we had was he HAD to take care of whatever he brought into the house. That usually makes them think about getting a pet a bit more carefully. The minute he discovered girls...the animals found new homes! LOL

[kevinpate]

When I was a young adult, a friend who often cut my hair had a ferret. It was mild mannered enough it went nearly everywhere with her and would frequently roam around inside her jacket or sweatshirt when she was out and about. She swears she never got tore up or bit by the little bugger.

I had no interest in petting the critter or getting to know it at all, but she adored her ferret and thought it was a grand pet.

[Karried]

Just the words ' roam around inside her jacket or sweatshirt' nearly caused me to pass out.

I'm thinking a ferret is not a good idea.. only because I am simply terrified at the thought.

[TaoMaas]

Just the words ' roam around inside her jacket or sweatshirt' nearly caused me to pass out.

I'm thinking a ferret is not a good idea.. only because I am simply terrified at the thought.

It probably doesn't help, but a ferret is NOT a rodent. It doesn't have rodent teeth. It's a variety of weasel, I guess, so that's probably not much of an improvement. lol

[Karried]

A weasel.. omg, omg - I think I prefer rodent.

Please, no one mention teeth again.. I have the visual of pointy sharp teeth and beady little eyes ... eeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkk!

What was I ever thinking, there is no way I can do this.

The only thing I think is cute in a strange sort of way is a meercat. I love how they stand up and 'scream' at the birds overheard.. as long as they in their little zoo house and I'm outside of their little zoo house, we get along fine.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

Out of all the furries in this thread, the only ones mentioned I find the least bit endearing are sugar gliders. I think they're pretty cute little beasties.

Not that I'd have them in my house...But they're still cute.

See? Like this one.

[Karried]

oh Lord! You should have put a Spoiler Alert disclaimer.. View at your own risk.. did you see those fingernails! yikes!

Actually, I went with my friend to pick up one at a pet store.. that forever convinced me that myself and furry little tasmanian devils are not compatible!

It was almost humorous if I hadn't been so terrified... I had to go out of the small room that they opened the box to transfer it to.. this thing was running around at top speed, and leaping and jumping all over the place and was making the most God awful sounds I'd ever heard. .I thought it was a Halloween toy or something.. honestly, I have never ( and hope to never again) heard such sounds coming from such a little guy.

It was 'chattering' thats all I can think to describe the sound.

I had to hold the cage on the drive home.. it was all I could do to not leap out of that car. Thank God there was a towel over the cage or both of us would be roadkill about now...

But, yes, they are cute.... once they settle down. You have to carry them in a little pouch... anytime I determine that a furry being has to be attached to my person, I break out in a cold sweat. I'm sticking to goldfish.

[kevinpate]

.oO(is it true that ferrets are capable of picking cage locks?)Oo.

[Karried]

Heavy, heavy sigh. If you've been following this thread at all, be prepared to fall out of your computer chair.....

I caved, I gave in, I buckled... I bought a baby ferret today.

I know, I know, I know!

If you ever see my child, you'll understand, he has these amazing big blue eyes .. he is the sweetest, nicest, kindest child and I just can't say no to this kid. It's all he's wanted forever.. (his best friend has a few ferrets that he loves so much so he has dreamed of having one of his own for so long ).

He doesn't know yet though, it's a surprise.

Anyway, this little ferret is actually the cutest thing I've seen.. he is tiny! 8 weeks old and he is fuzzy! He doesn't look like a rat like I thought they did. He sort of does look like a weasel though..

I went to pick up a Chinchilla.. lol.. I figured I could handle that.. it is soft and cuddly right? So, I called, yes, they had one and I went to get him. When I got there the Chinchilla was asleep, he never woke up. hmmm, wasn't quite as small and cute or interesting as I thought he might be.

So... my mom, says ' come see this!' and it all went downhill from there. Oh my gosh, this little guy was much different than I imagined.. he cuddled ( with my mom of course, I couldn't hold him, no way) and he was so funny, he was like a kitten... on crack.. lol, he was so adorable.. I never expected that. He is more like a cat than a rat .. they like toys and play constantly.

He is Descented, Neutered etc... I got him a big cage and a hammock to sleep in and accessories and will surprise my son this weekend.. I'm excited... still terrified.. yet, I think I might be able to get used to him because he is a baby. Hopefully, I can stop being afraid .... I think it will be okay.