Any Ferret Lovers Out There?

1. 73

   lorlie6posted 13 years ago

   My home is pet-friendly and safe; we welcome all creatures into our house-almost!   Currently we have 2 dogs, Ranger and Clifford-who isn't red at all-4 cats, Kattan, Raaar, Nemo, and Kitten, 2 human beings, Anthony and Laurel, and 1 full-grown chicken named Popcorn.
   Since my home is obviously in dire need of another creature , I've come here for ideas.
   Ferrets seem to be a grand choice.  BUT what on earth do I need to know about my veteran creatures when introducing the interlopers?
   What do ferrets need to eat?  Do ferrets have specific needs?  Do they 'play well with others'?
   Are the sweet things even LEGAL here in California?
   
   I'm posting here rather than go to some ferret site.  I'd like hubber answers
   
   Thanks to you!!!

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   1. 89

      mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I used to have 3 ferrets, and have hubbed on it in my hub called 'How to Keep a Pet Ferret'. They are relatively easy and rewarding pets, but there are some essential rules, e.g. the females MUST be mated whenever they come into season, even if only by a vasectomised male, otherwise they can get internal infections quickly and die.
      All the info you should need to know is in my hub if you want to track it down.
      
      Hope it helps

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      1. 73

         lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         That's crazy, mistyhorizon!  I guess getting laid is essential for the females.  Infection?  Very interesting stuff!
         Off to check out your hub.

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         1. 89

            mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Hope it helps. Ferrets are great fun pets, and they play like kittens, chasing toys you drag along the ground etc. Once you know the basics they are good pets, and I miss having them, but I couldn't have them now because of where we live and the space available.

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   2. 59

      ZOOSMCposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      hey there possible ferret owner....I've just posted a hub on ferrets.....http://hubpages.com/hub/ferretfun.......ferrets are the best pets ever! It's the last pet I ever thought I would own. I too have had just about every creature in my house for my kids....turtles, birds, hamsters, dwarf hamsters and many hamster babies, guinea pigs....you name it!  You need to read my hub......ferrets are easy, friendly and can  get along with certain other animals very well.  You do need to train it a bit. They learn very fast and love people. They can even be walked on a leash if desired> I wouldn't get it though if you cant give it a good amount of attention...........they are very easy pets but they crave love and affection.  They need fresh  in a bowl food  24/7 in their cage (which should be large). water (ferrets drink a lot) and love!  that's it
      good luck
      keep me posted

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   3. 59

      ZOOSMCposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      lorlie6.......... I replied to you before but just realized you live in CA and ...YES   I believe ferrets are not legal in CA....:-(  sorry about that......they are great pets but because of where you live you cannot have one...but if you ever move to another state........:-)

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2. 73

   lorlie6posted 13 years ago

   Bump!
   

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3. 60

   Randy Godwinposted 13 years ago

   Kinky title there Lorie! 
   
   
                                  
   
   
   edit : Perhaps you should have said-"some hubber's answers" 

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4. 66

   2uesdayposted 13 years ago

   I met a ferret in a pet shop once and was allowed to stroke it, but  although it was cute its fur did have an odd smell. Would a ferret be able to be trained to leave the chicken alone? Also the cat as do n't they kill rabbits in the wild? Sorry Not very knowledgeable on this but maybe it will encourage some more answers for you.
   
   Guinea pigs I know a bit more about

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5. 91

   Rochelle Frankposted 13 years ago

   I don't think they are legal in CA-- but there is a group trying to make them legal.
   I did once meet someone who had one. The one I saw was very active and seemed to require constant attention. They love to dig holes. The owner said they should be neutered and  have the glands removed that make them "musky smelling".

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   1. 73

      lorlie6posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Constant attention I cannot provide.  And if they're not legal here, then, oh well!
      Any other ideas?

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      1. 76

         Castlepalomaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         In the United States,  ferrets are legal in 48 states. California and Hawaii have declared ferrets illegal in the entire state. ...
         
         Why, I don't know, my ferret is the best pest I ever had

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6. 60

   Soquiraposted 13 years ago

   Oh, I love ferrets. Mine  is actually curled up right by me as I'm typing this - she's the sweetest little thing.
   
   I'd say if you can't have a ferret, try a skunk but as ferrets are illegal in Cali, I highly doubt a skunk would be any different.

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   1. 76

      Castlepalomaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      A dog, cat and skunk can have a better chance of surviving out in the wild than ferret dose. It's a silly law

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7. 0

   Home Girlposted 13 years ago

   Correct me if I am wrong, aren't they eat chickens? Then say good-bye to your Popcorn!

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   1. 76

      Castlepalomaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ferrets  perfer to eat mice and small rabbits
      
      The main reason they can not survive in the wild is because they are almost fearless and will be killed by big cats and dogs.

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      1. 0

         Home Girlposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         In wilderness they (as they indeed fearless) can come to the chicken coop at night and kill all chickens in it one by one. It happened in my old country often where in a small town lots of people kept chickens in their backyards to supplement food. They could outsmart cats and dogs and were not afraid of being in town. Why did they kill all of them ? I don't know. But it's a fact.

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         1. 76

            Castlepalomaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I don't know about the life of ferret in Russia. North America wild ferrets are on the closet to extinct list, their main line of defense is hiding/

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8. 73

   lorlie6posted 13 years ago

   I neglected to mention that the cats are the indoor sort and Popcorn lives in the backyard.  So what is it they say..."Never the twain shall meet!"
   

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