From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-01-17 15:24:27 UTC
Subject: RE: Advice - One Ferret or Two
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7398909.1105975467360.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
A Few Questions to ask yourself:
1. How much time can you spare for one-on-one interaction?
2. How much have you already read about ferrets (body language, play modes, non-punishment training, medical needs, etc.) and do you think that you still have a lot to learn?
3. How used to observing animal behavior are you?
4. How much space do you have?
5. How much can you put aside for medical needs and have you found a ferret vet?
6. Have you read both about the things that are endearing about ferrets and the ways that they don't suit everyone (the times they don't use a litterbox, their tendency to dig carpet, the barriers you need to have in place, etc.)?
7. Have you gotten down on the floor and ferret proofed there as well as the places they will climb?
8. If you will be using a cage when you can't monitor them what size is the cage?
Knowing those answers will help you decide.
We have had ferrets in the family for 24 years and we've found that the kits adjust to either living situation but these are incredibly intelligent, problem solving (including barrier defeating), very individual individuals who need a decent bit of costly medical care, and their sense of order is often the human definition of messy so if you are a neat-freak they aren't for you.
If there is a reputable ferret shelter near you consider volunteering time before deciding to make sure that you and ferrets are a good fit. The fact that you are already seeking information is a very sign about you personally in terms of responsibility. Nothing enjoys life quite as much as a ferret. One of our vets in the past used to say that he loved treating ferrets because, unlike cats or dogs who would either live the past by remembering and thus being wary of vets or live in the present so would make a big deal of something like an injection, ferrets live for the future so they look forward to seeing what will happen next.