We are getting a ferret tomorrow ! Yikes !

[Howlongtillbedtime]

My ds has wanted a ferret for over 18 months now and has finally after a lot of research worn us down .

We have met the ferret and handled him ( he is 10 months)
We have a 3 story wire cage which will be kept in our lower but if the tree house ( closed on 3 sides)
We have optimistically ordered a harness and extendable lead.

And we know we need to get him "done" quite quickly.

And we have ferret good already and going you shopping tomorrow.

Is there anything we have forgotten ?

Other than how I can drug my ds tonight so he sleeps........

Oh yes and we need to get him vaccinated against distemper .

Excited but nervous

[Howlongtillbedtime]

Ferret food and going toy shopping !

Stupid bloody phone

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Excellent, I used to have ferrets and walked them on an extendable lead, DS wants one as well, but we are moving next year so will hold out until then. I did used to work mine. Handle them frequently, and clean out especially in the summer, mine liked fresh liver once a wee.

[Howlongtillbedtime]

Did you find them particularly stinky ?

Everyone ( people that have never met an actual ferret) tells me how smelly they are . But the one we met todaywas about as smelly as a clean dog . It had an animal smell but not grim. And was on a farm so maybe that masked it

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Not especially, males can be worse than females, I only ever had females.

[Howlongtillbedtime]

This is a male. And albino . My son is in love . I was trying to persuade him towards a pair of rats but not a hope.

We do have cats already so fingers crossed that works. I have found no reason why it won't but ........

[Howlongtillbedtime]

Had nobody else got any input ?

Excited and willing to listen and learn from others !

[EeylopsOwlEmporium]

I have 4 ferrets and they're absolutely fabulous pets. They're so much fun to watch playing and so cute. They do have a reputation for being vicious but though my two youngsters are still learning not to use their teeth none of them have ever drawn blood. They do have a distinctive smell but it's no worse than wet dog. The un-neutered males absolutely stink in the spring and summer and can be quite grumpy but if you are planning to get yours done soon that shouldn't affect you. The albino boys have a reputation for being bonkers and stupid - mine definitely lives up to this. Have you got a safe space for him to run loose? The harness and leads are great but not the same as a good zoom around . Oh, and be warned - they are addictive, I started with two and am up to four so far ;-)

[DearMrDilkington]

Oooo I love ferrets! You'll have to post a photo of him when he comes home.

I'd love one but my dp is a complete wuss and the cat would most likely try to eat it.

[krustykittens]

I love ferrets, I had two as a child and my kids had two when they were younger. Definitely get your boy done as the smell of an unneutured male can be like a physical wall! I would also consider getting another as ferrets really like to have ferrety company. Having a ferret proof room they can get out to play in is great, they love to charge about. They love to play games as well, have a look online, and get stuff that crinkles and makes noise, they love it! Oh, and a ball pit! They are wonderful, very loving and playful and clever, they do need to have their brains stimulated.

[FluffyFerrets]

I have two. I love ferrets :)

[Howlongtillbedtime]

Here he is ! A bit stinky but not bitey and happy in his harness .

I have a very happy boy .

[PossumInAPearTree]

I've never had my own ferret but my house seems to attract ferrets and I've had several over the years come in via the cat flap. Had to keep them overnight in the kitchen and the house always stunk by the next day.

[Howlongtillbedtime]

Close up .

[HollywoodStunt]

As an owner of many ferrets and polecats I hope your son really enjoys his new pet and has plenty of fun times with him

It's the urine that stinks, they're not great for keeping indoors

Tunnels and hammocks are good toys for ferrets

Even friendly ones like biting chins and noses so beware not to put too close to your face

[Howlongtillbedtime]

We are definitely getting him "done"
Have been looking around for a ferret friendly vet .

I will like him more once he is not quite as stinky.

It is an odd smell though .Friends have described him as
"no worse than damp dog"
"Bloody hell he reeks"
"I quite like it he smells like honey"

Strange , it appears to affect people so differently .

[Howlongtillbedtime]

He is in a large cage inside something else. I really don't think I could cope with him in the house .

He is only being handled with gloves on for now just in case . But he does seem to be pretty good about it so far.

[Bubblysqueak]

Love ferrets. I've always had males. Walking on a lead is fun. Mine loved to eat slugs so the garden benefitted too!

[FluffyFerrets]

It's a musky kind of smell.
Yes the wee stinks. I use catsan in my litter boxes. It helps a bit.
When he settles in he'll no doubt show you his war dance :) :)
My two only play bite, they can both sometimes be ott doing it but I've found a high pitched owww or squeak noise will stop them. If they really go for it then scruffing by the back of the neck calms the situation down. I don't have to do this often at all though.
Be warned Ferrets are VERY curious and sneaky little buggers :) mine steal and hide things. They're food stashers too so be careful with anything meat that you give or it could be hidden for later but go off and make him ill. Mine have raw mince for breakfast only in their cage and ferret biscuits available at all times, I don't mind them hiding the biscuits but not the mince lol
I'd say the no1 thing to be very careful with is small objects be it food or non food (they are particularly attracted to rubber for some reason) if they eat what they shouldn't then they can get an abdominal blockage which can kill them, it requires swift action and normally an op to unblock.
I find the girls are more intelligent but boys are still clever.
My two love to play with tubes, noisy carrier bags with the handles cut off, old boxes with holes cut out and their ball pit. My girl has plastic balls with bells in which she hunts and rearranges multiple times daily :)
Oh and an old pair of my tights which the two of them go mental for when I shake them around at them :) :)