I didn’t know when my wife asked me to take her to the mall, we’d come home with a baby ferret (called a kit). For me, I thought we’d zip in and out (a husband’s dream), maybe catch dinner and see a movie at the local multiplex, my wife had other ideas. A close friend of hers had shown her a picture of a ferret, cute, cuddly, inquisitive, and my wife decided… “I have to have one”. What’s a husband to do except follow along and break out the credit card when asked.
I did learn a bit on the fateful afternoon, and while I’m not a ferret expert, I’m hopeful my experience can help you make your own baby ferret choice an enjoyable day out with the wife (good luck guys).
FERRET FACT: The scientific name for the domesticated ferret is “Mustela furo”; they are a member of the weasel family (polecat, mink, ermine, and otter). Historical records state the first ferrets came to the USA well over 300 years ago and were used primarily for rodent control.
Step one in our journey to furry ferret land, where can you find a ferret?
Pet stores, local breeders, classified ads, humane shelters are some among the places to check, with my first choice being the humane shelters. We all need a helping hand sometimes, no different for a displaced ferret. However my wife insisted on a baby ferret, her biological clock is ticking so the pet store was our (actually her) first choice. I grimaced quietly knowing if we walked out with a little bundle of ferret joy, I’d have spent around $200 (prices vary depending on your location) on a furry ferret and his necessities.
Be certain to ask about the personality of your (or her) choice, since ferrets, just like “man’s best friend” can vary significantly with one enjoying a good snuggle and another wriggling their way to freedom whenever held. That’s not to say there are evil ferrets, just a variety of personalities.
You’ll need to consider a “litter box”, yep, comes with the territory, guys and the fact your furry ferret bundle will need to be “nip trained”. These nips aren’t meant to hurt you, but biting is part of their nature, having tough skin and used to rough play. You (and your lovely assistant with the smooth skin) might not take these nips in the spirit intended. Plan your ferret “nip training” early and often, refrain from smacking them on the nose (anger management class might help), rather answering their nip with a LOUD NOISE. There are other methods and my wife insisted I try bitter apple spray, tiring quickly from my LOUD… yells.
I’m a firm believer in positive reinforcement, and the pet store owner (I’m taking him OFF my Christmas card list) told me to never let go, even if the little bugger gives me a good nip, rather to reward him/her with praise and a treat when performances equal expectations.
I’m not a vet, and neither was the pet store owner (he was a good salesman) but I knew enough to look for apparent signs of good health; clear eyes, smooth coat and most important, that alert and inquisitive personality that has caused ferrets to be our friends since the time of the Pharaohs.
We walked out of the store with a new pet who’d (in short order) become part of our family living his life (9 to 10 years on average) in the comfort of suburbia. Now then dear, how about that movie?
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How you prepare to adopt baby of other race?I am white so is my husband and we plan to have a few biological children then adopt. We would like to adopt a girl from India. None of our families are racist, so thats no problem. We just would like to know what do you do to prepare? How do you explain to the children you already have why the new baby looks so different? What things are important to focus on with the child? And how can you still incorporate their culture?
About Author
Lee Dobbins writes for Epet Pet Center where you can learn more about all types of pets, including the Ferret.
CP BABY ABUSE CLUB(again) DECEMBER 5th AT freezer AT 10:15 AT the cove!
did the baby know she was being recorded anyways or is like she your friend
First, keep them in seperate cages in different rooms until you are sure that the baby does not carry ECE. BTW, just because they are all Marshall's does NOT mean they won't have any diseases. Marshall's is just another pet mill and their ferrets are not indistructible. Once you are sure the baby is healthy move her in the same room so they can see and more importantly smell each other, but cannot get at each other. You may even want to go so far as to trading a piece of bedding or two from each cage to the other so they can get used to each others scent. When you think they are ready let them meet, maybe one at a time, but not unsupervised.
I think it's a good idea to change ALL the bedding and give everybody a bath on the day you plan on introducing them.
This way there are no old or new smells in the bedding and all the ferrets smell the same, shampoo.
Watch them closely for a while. They are almost guaranteed to fight a bit. They have to establish rank. It may look rough, but ferrets are tough. Matter of fact, ferret skin is some of the toughest around. They will pounce on each other and bite each other in the back of the neck, sometimes even dragging one another across the floor. That's what dominant ferrets do to establish rank. There will be some squealing and screaming and most likely a few poofy tails for a little while, but do not interfere.
They have to straighten out who's boss and if you stop them there will never be peace, or at least not for a long time.
My rule is: as long as there is no blood shed and one ferret is not being kept from eating, drinking or sleeping or is so intimidated it will hide all the time or literally gets the poop scared out of him/her, let them be and work things out.
I adopted two males 3 1/2 mos and 3 1/2 yrs and introduced them to my girls 2 1/2 yrs and 9 mos at the time and all is well.
Most times there is just one big heap of fuzzy parts sticking out of one of the hammocks because the all have to sleep together and don't want to be apart.
Good luck to you. Hope this helped a bit.
PS: I would not introduce the dog to the newcomer until the other ferrets have accepted him/her. He should be fine with the baby then.
I would take her, but I live in Rhode Island. I do know of some websites devoted to the legalization of ferrets in CA. You should try to contact some of those groups, they should be able to help your friend find someone who will be able to take Cookie.
check with the animal rescue league or PETCO also sells ferrets. Good luck!!
A baby ferret would be better for you to adopt, especially if this is your first ferret. Some adult ferrets have not been treated too well, and while its good to adopt them, to give them a home, I wouldnt recommend it to a newbie ferret owner. They can have many emotional problems and give you a bad experience with your first ferret. Adopt a ferret that is 6 weeks old – that will give you plenty of time to train and learn how to take care of your ferret. By the way, the lighter colored ones dont smell as bad.
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One: wetted down food should be good. Just change it frequently so it doesn't spoil. However, you might want to talk to a vet about supplemental feedings. They might prefer a formula feeding or something along the likes of Carnivore Care to make sure the baby is getting enough nutrients/proteins/fats.
Two: a small 4 week old kit should NOT be housed with an older ferret right now. Let the baby have it's own cage (preferably one level so it can't get hurt in fall. Kits are not the most graceful–or coordinated–critters out there). The ferrets should only have SUPERVISED playtimes together, and take introductions slowly. Being so young, the kit has no real means to fight back even in rougher play.
Also–beware: the kit will teeth and be super-nippy and diabolical *g*. Remember, just keep up the training/discipline and praise. Oh! And always have plenty of food–kits always bite the hand that feeds them–especially when they think they are starving. Around 6-7 weeks of age you can slowly introduce harder kibble. The transition should be complete at 8 weeks of age (by this age ferts are weaned and are on harder food, anyway).
Hope this helps and good luck!
ETA: can I ask why the ferret isn't still with the mom? Generally, ferts are supposed to be available (at the earliest) at 8 weeks of age. By all rights the little guy should still be with his mother and siblings. Did something happen?
When I got Chloe (she was only about 8 weeks old), my oldest, Sammy (he was 2 years old at the time) took on the role of her "mother." He'd groom her and Chloe even appeared to be "nursing" on him a few times. She'd even cry for her "mommy" if I took Sammy out of the cage for something but left her in it. I always thought it was cute and now, two years later, they're best friends. That's good that your older ferret took so well to the "new guy" – introductions aren't always that easy! Have fun with the little weasels and congrats on the new addition! =)
omg that baby is sooooooooooo stupid
don't know what part of michigan you're in, but check these sites for rescues…they can help you every step of the way.
http://www.miferretrescue.org/
http://www.angelfire.com/mi/ferretsetc/
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI06.h...
http://www.madisfriends.org/ferret.htm
http://www.mfran.org/
animal rescues have loads of them and so does the humane society.
Your best bet is to go to PetFinder.com and put in your search criteria. They might not have a suitable fert listed, but alot of the time if you keep in contact with the shelter they will give you a heads up when they find a match for you.
my bay bee drinks coffee she got so hiper and ran out the door i was like see ya later
ROFL
lol yeah i quit all tht i used to do it..this vid was just for fun though rofl so the last time i got a baby and i was the mom im like: wanna a brother? baby: otay! me: carries to pet shop. then we get there. then i say: sets down. walks away bac to home. and the baby is like waaaaa its so funny lol
lol i see wut your problem was.they get mad at you if u dont have a rich iggy.and the cutes ones r the brattiest.the ones with scarf earmuth and belt…dont get me started.then theres a a whole new level at non member, but ugly members r okay
I only BE a baby I tryed being a mom and it was pretty HARD cuz of wat they want and all that lol