Ferrets meeting for first time?
put them in sepperate cages for a bit, then let them intoduce. dont be affraid if one os dragging the other by the neck, its a dominance thing. but you should realy get one soon, ferrets dont do good when sepperated, specialy there friendly companion. i would also kepp them sepperate4d when you are not supervising. like before you go to bed. but when you watch them introduce, they should be fine. but you also dont want to wake up and have a dead ferret. you should also worrie if one makes the other one bleed. if they dont get along right off its ok, it might takes some time. when i intrduce mine, sometimes they will screech so loud like there being killed, but vet said not to worrie unless theres scard poop, or blood, scared poop is when there wrestling, ond one just randomly goes poop. after you think they get along pretty good. then its time to keep them in one cage so your older ferret can cuddle. i hoped i helped, and sorry for your loss.
Ferret first time owner shopping list!?
You go girl!!!! Good for you for reasearching all you can before you get your ferret, I'm impressed. You're right about not knowing everything before you get one, I have 2 ferrets and researched EVERYTHING I could before I got them and I still wasn't prepared. LOL! People do sound like they're preaching when they answer questions on ferrets but don't be too hard on them, you will know why when you get one....they are soooo adoreable you just want the best for ALL ferrets of the world!! Most people on here have given you good lists but the one thing I will add is try to get the large square litter pans and not the high back traingular ones, they tend to like the square ones better. Also get yourself a bottle or 2 of Ferretone........fur kids LOVE this stuff and will give their front fangs for a lick of it....we call it Magic Milk for obvious reasons. It's a good treat and training aid as long as you don't give too much. Get feeding dishes that attatch to the cage or the ones with rubber bottoms so they can't be knocked over........believe me - where ferrets are concerned, where there's a will there's a way! LOL! My 2 aren't that bothered by toys, the only thing they love is their long tube and a cat teaser (so funny to see them with this) they have lots of other toys but they're not really interested, they like being pulled along on a piece of blanket or towel though.......just shake it at them and they will jump on for a ride! I'll shut up now.....I could talk forever about ferrets! Good luck to you and your new baby xx
2 or 3 ferrets for a first time owner?
It sounds as if you are doing what few potential ferret owners do which is research. I think you could go either way with this especially if you are prepared. I would probably recommend starting with two, but there are pros and cons to both. Ferrets are great pets but are very much high maintainance. You may not want to get too overwhelmed at first. One of the drawbacks to adding another ferret to an established pair or adding another ferret period is that they all have their own personalities and may not get along. I have two out of eight permanent residents at the moment that hate each other and it appears always will. Whatever you decide to do you may want to consider the ages of the ferrets. If they are not all the same age, you may not be hit all at once withthe health issues.PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE get rescue ferrets, there are so many..... and always feed good quality food give lots of blankets to burrow in and hammocks or boxes. lots of out of cage time and keep the blankets and hammocks washed weekly! I recommend caging when you are not home and at night for their safety
Would you recommnend a Miniature Pinscher for a first time dog owner?
Go to the Yahoo pet page and read Caesar Milan's suggestions on how to select a breed - first time dog people should research their breeds - you are taking on the responsibility/commitment for a life that may be 10 to 15 years! Toy breeds are small, but that doesn't mean easy to train or live with - the tendency to lift them up all the time instills a sense of superiority in little dogs - they come to believe they are running the show - Look at what the breed was bred to do - not just what it looks like! Min Pins are rodent chasers - your ferret is on borrowed time Min Pins are yappy, possessive of their people and territory and are better suited for mature handlers - look for an easy going/ rough and tumble breed for a 4 year old - and make sure the puppy and preschooler are never left alone unsupervised!
My new ferret seems skittish?
As the other answerer said, at 3 your guy is full grown and as ferrets get older they tend to relax a bit. And none of my 4 kids especially likes to be held. They'll put up with it if they're sleepy or sick, but otherwise it's "Let me down!" :) And my guys will walk around and re-explore their room just about every time I let them out. They just want to make sure I aven't changed anything. ;) Do you have toys for him? A ferret will just play with you on occasion, but generally they like to have toys to chase, boxes to climb, blankets to burrow in, and hidey holes to explore. Make sure you're letting him out of his cage enough. If a ferret is confined for too many hours a day, they can become depressed and reclusive. I'd suggest getting up early and letting him play (or wander) before you go to work. You should let him out a minimum of 4 hours a day - even if he spends half of that time curled up in a blanket. They need to roam. Also, I think getting another ferret is an >excellent< idea! Ferrets much prefer playing with other ferrets over playing with you. The sad truth. :) As both of your ferrets are mature, they are both going to be set in their ways. You should introduce them slowly and be attentive when you do. The first few days you should keep them in separate cages (a separate small travel cage will do - or if you have one of those huge cages that the top "floor" can be blocked off from the bottom). Before you introduce them for the first time, I'd suggest giving them both baths so they both smell the same to one another - neutral. When they meet they'll probably hiss (her probably more than him - my little girl >still< hisses when one of the boys won't leave her alone) and wrestle. He will probably try to drag her around. Don't be concerned, they're just establishing a "pecking order." Unless one starts crying loudly (in obvious pain) or blood is shed, let them duke it out to decide who's boss. It one seems to be hurting the other, separate them and try to reintroduce them in a few hours. After a day or two, they should get on like twins. :) But, even though it's rare, I have heard of some ferrets who just don't get along. Just keep trying! My boyfriend and I have owned ferrets for the past few years and I feel like we've dealt with everything. If you have any further questions, feel free to email me. :)
What crucial things should a soon-to-be ferret owner know?
Ferrets will require a roomy cage, preferably multi-level. A litter box, a hammock, a sleepy pouch, a water bottle and plenty of toys. You will want at least two so they can keep one another company as they are rather social.It’s frightening to let them out of their cage. You are sure you will lose them, but you have to do it. They are very active and require run of the house, or at least, run of a room with plenty of playtime with their human friend.They will bite you, sometimes it will hurt. They will hoard things. You will someday move the couch or chair and find an entire pile of socks, or baby bottle nipples, etc.They will disappear into the smallest of holes so you must make certain they can’t get into anything dangerous. Most likely they will make a nest or secondary home up inside a couch or chair or behind a heavy piece of furniture which they will treat as a den, filling with treasures and soft things.Ferrets love treats but if you give them the wrong thing, they can become diabetic, suffer from tooth rot or adrenal disease. They adore raisins but it is better by far to give them a bit of fresh fruit, eggs, meat or raw veggies. They frequently require a supplemental vitamin oil to keep their coat soft. If they lose all the hair off their tail, you know they are having an adrenal issue and should take them to a vet right away.They are constantly playful, nip, hop, chitter, and squeak. They are rarely calm or accepting of cuddling, but regardless you will probably fall in love with them because they are such personable little clowns.Good luck!
I am adopting a pre-owned ferret and want to know what to expect.?
I own a pre-owned ferret that is 2 years old too, but sadly I lost her on friday and I'm doing everything to find her. Since he was seperated from his cage mates, he's probably going to be very depressed and stressed out because ferrets are very social and they form strong bonds with their ferret friends, it's very bad to seperate two or three ferrets from eachother. If he seems to do okay the first few days you have him(eating, active, playing, using litter pan, ect.) then you could just have him alone, but it's a better idea to get a second ferret that is a large male so that they'll be an equal match. And btw, heres some other stuff you need to buy for your ferret: -ferretone(high vitamin supplement that ferrets love and need in daily nutrition) -harness and leash(they love going outside and exploring and you dont want them to get lost like my baby) -brush(for when he sheds) -chew treats(so he has strong, healthy teeth, I suggest N-bones and Superchew) -Nail clippers(their nails grow long and need to be clipped every 2 weeks, you could use people ones though) -Tooth paste(you dont want them to get plaque, cat toothpaste works fine) -Flea treatment(you need to treat him for fleas every month even if he doesn't have any, it prevents it) -A second brand of food to blend with your food right now, ferrets like a variety in their meal(I use Innova EVO, and 8 in 1 chicken blend I strongly disagree with the person above, NEVER EVER use physical punishment on a ferret, that includes Flicking their nose. Your supposed to scruff them, say no, and put him back in th cage if he is biting. And never give them lollipops or any candy eighther, it's hard on their digestive system and fattening with too much sodium, fiber, and sugar which ferrets can't have