Ferrets

[Tigerlilly]

Hey, my gran has found a baby ferret...
Apparently they phoned the RSPCA and they don't want it.. they want nothing to do with it basically and said they'll take it to put down but not rehome.
We phoned a ferret adoption place and again they're packed full and don't really want it either and told us to try home it.
So even though I have no idea about them, I'm thinking of just keeping it.. buying a hutch etc, just wondering if anyone owns one? knows about their care? etc
This isn't a wild thing, it's very tame so could of been lost.. obviously if we hear anything then we'd give it back but I'm not going to let it be put down.
Apparently it's very cute & brown
Thanks.

[Brent]

PM Corvus. He's got Ferret(s?).

[Flutter]

I've always wanted a ferret. Even when they're fixed and unscented they still smell a bit but they're so adorable.

[Brandon8521]

You have possibly one of my favorite pets. Although i cant have another one (my wife hates them.) They are nicknamed carpet sharks lol. Their really easy to take of though as long as there de-glanded. They make a perfume to get rid of the extra bit of smell they can have. Aslo you will need to give him a bath about once a week to help control the odor. They will eat the dry ferret food kinda like catfood or dogfood. And also do very well with a litter box. They are very funny lil things with a huge personality. Very smart aswell. If yours becomes anything like mine was becareful. Mine had a stash in our laundry room where he would like to hide anything he liked. He was a lil theif lol. Stealing anything from jewelry, keys, and anything that was really shiney or colorful and small enough for him to cary. I kept mine in a store baught ferret cage normally with the door open when i was home. In it was his litter box, food and water, some toys and his little hamick. Some can be a little nippy (bitey) but mine was rather gentle. He would play like a dog. Good luck with him and if you decide to keep him for good your in for a fun time.

[Tigerlilly]

Im excited to see it now but my dad's complaining "I don't know if we have room we already have about 20 animals blah blah"
So I'm not sure what'll happen.. hopefully I can persuade him.

[bigfatfish]

They do make great outside pets. It is not legal in the uk to remove their scent glands, but if you get him castrated that will certainly help with the smell. You can keep them in a hutch-type set-up, but he will need to come out & play alot. You can buy dry ferret food biscuits, but they love raw eggs & bones/meat.

[Tigerlilly]

Thanks hopefully I can get some pictures.

[Brandon8521]

Wow I didn't know they had that law in the uk. In that case I wouldn't even want one. The smell is really strong with glands and it would be kinda cruel IMO to keep him outside. They are very interactive animals and I don't think they would be happy outside alone. They are very similar to cats when it comes to care and needs.

[Flutter]

Now you have me looking at getting a ferret(s) Can't get a cat, decided against a dog... A ferret is a perfect solution

ETA: I was just reading and one site said that the scent doesn't come from the glands unless they release it. Their smell is from the oils in their coats and such and not the glands.

[Brandon8521]

Not sure about that. The first one I had when I was like 14 wasn't spaded or deglanded and smelt horrible untill I took him and had it done. After that it was just a very faint foul smell that was easily taken care of with baths and ferret perfume.

[Tigerlilly]

The only time it'd be outside really is to sleep at night, then when I moved ito my own house it'd be inside..
Im still not sure yet, even if I don't get to keep it it'll be nice to handle one.. I havn't before.
I remember in school my best friend had ferrets & ferret babies and they smelt SO bad.

[Flutter]

I don't know, you may be right. The site may be completely wrong, I don't know much about this subject and thought I'd pass it along

Approximately how much does a ferret cost per year?

[Tigerlilly]

Well the food at our local pet shop is £5 a bag... assuming they eat around the same as my guinea pigs & rabbits I'd say 1 bag would last 3 weeks, so about £100 a year food..
Then the cage which are about £80 the bowls, bed, bottle etc about £40, bedding can be fleece or blankets so they only need to be bought 1 time and washed.. maybe changed every 6 months they can be cheap though like £15 a year...
I'd say £120 (ish) a year and about £200 at first. Spaying/neutering here is about £40 males / £60 females.
Not sure how much that is in other currency but just a guess.

[Brandon8521]

That's just my experiance with them. The most expensive part is the ferret itself and the cage. After you have that it's really not expensive. No more then a lap dog or cat maybe cheaper. Not sure how much a year.

[bigfatfish]

I disagree about ferrets not being able to live outside. They are hardy animals that are related to polecats/pine martens etc. Over here we use them to hunt rabbits etc. I don't doubt that they would enjoy being indoors, but only for the company. Another cost to consider, is that they should be vaccinated against distemper (just like dogs). You would probably need to worm/flea him also - especially if he is to be part of your family!