Ferret People, Advice Please

[TheresaW]

Next door neighbour keeps ferrets, and 2 of his females have recently had litters. We have been offered one as a pet. Have done a bit of research and been speaking to neighbour, and we are going to a get a pair as we know they are sociable animals and prefer company.

What I would like to know is, is it best to get one of each or 2 of the same sex? We know if we get females, best to get them spayed or keep a neutered male, but I think I would prefer 2 males.

 

[rema]

I think you have to get the Gill's done even if kept with a neutured male because Gill's get like an ovarian cancer type illness if not done or let to have a litter.I might be completely wrong but my cousins kept working ferrets and i remember him saying about the Gill's.

 

[Thistle]

I have a female and a castrated male. The female has been 'served' by a vasectomised male so she is out of season. The male is very friendly, the female more shy.

We have had ours about a month (they are my sons) I was very wary, but they are great fun. We keep them in an old aviay and it looks like a childs soft play area.

 

[Spyda]

I've been keeping pet ferrets for a while now and have a collection of abandoned and rescue ones.

I keep mine the 'American' way, insomuch that mine are real pets; kept indoors, litter trained and allowed free time to run about our house (supervised I hasten to add!)

It does not matter what sex of ferrets you choose to keep together. Males grow larger than females and, when young (rather like colts are) tend to be more 'bolshy' than do young females. Females are generally more shy and sensitive. However, once matured (at about 2 years) either sex make wonderful, friendly pets and mix well together in established groups.

Unless you plan to breed your ferrets do get them neutered ASAP. Your vet can advise when the best time is. Un-neutered males positively stink unless done, and become nippy and a real handful during the breeding season. Females come into season in early spring and do not go out unless physically bred or given a 'Jill jab' by the vet. Females which are not brought out of season develop a fatal form of anaemia which means leaving a female ferret is not an option. Females too, smell more before being neutered so make nicer pets after the op!

Ferrets can catch canine Distemper and should be innoculated annually (just like a puppy) if you intend to let them exercise outside where they could be at risk. It's also worth knowing that they can catch human colds so it's important to avoid passing your cold to them when you're ill.

Ferrets make fantastic pets! Do let us know how you get on and what babies you choose :0)

 

[Thistle]

Our ferrets came from a local ferret rescue too.

 

[CSYMolly]

I have two males and they are great fun, both are neutered but still seem to get a little rough with each other round spring time. I just preferred the males as they are bigger and found them easier to handle. The smaller of the two manages to get through the smallest spaces so I can imagine you would have to keep a real close eye on the little females.
Mind are kept in two rabbit hutches joined together, in the garden and I take them up to the stables on the weekends where they love to dig around in Molly's bed and get up to mischief in the storage container! I used to let them out in the house but not allowed in the flat I live in now which is such a pity as they are great fun to have about although mine do dig at doorways and Ollie loves to stick his head in glasses and knock them over!