Ferret :D

[Bangel]

Yes, I'm sure some of you remember the old topic, where I showed all the stuff I was *going* to buy. Well... I have everything I need now and am saving for the ferret (though my parents have been hinting they'll get him for me for my birthday in July. Goddd, I love them. *gleeful sigh*). Anyway, onto my stuff, and at the end I'll show you the ferret I'll be getting if all works out as currently planned and I buy him myself. He's from a shelter (*glee!*) which means I'll be saving a life as well as getting my fuzz butt. =D

Anyway, he has a black harness made especially for ferrets (the first choice of harnesses were: A) sold out in the right size, B) not especially made just for ferrets). And I sewed him four adorable little pillows, one for in the cage, three for playing outside of the cage. He also has his cute little ferret balls, and after I get him and see the kind of things he likes to play with, I'll go and buy more toys to spoil him with.

Here's the man of the hour:



His current name is Romeo. He is 1 1/2 years old, which is past adulthood for a ferret (ferrets reach maturity at 1 year). He was brought to the shelter, along with his former cage mate, Princess, from a school in Fairview Heights, IL. It was believed that the environment was too stressful for the both of them, causing them to attempt to nip anyone who tried to hold them. Princess became very assertive with Romeo after arriving at the shelter and it was determined to be in Romeo's and Princess's best interest to separate them. However, he does get along with other ferrets. The shelter says he has become a very sweet guy, spending lots of time playing outside of the cage and being held.

He hasn't been in the shelter too long, so I don't believe it would be cruel to change his name. I haven't thought one up yet, though personally I think Rini (pronounced ree-nee; means 'little bunny' in Japanese) is incredibly adorable.

Anyway, just wanted to spread on the good news and squee some more about this lovely little guy.

EDIT: There was some minor confusion, just wanted to say- if the shelter tells me he's used to his name and responds to it, then I will NOT change it. I'm not that cruel.

[Maureen]

He's so cute!!

Ferrets are illegal in California, so no ferrets for me.

[o_0]

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

So cute.

[BeDeviled]

he is adorable, ferrits are too expensive in this town and the only exotic pet store was shut down last year by bilaw enforcement.

If I could own one I would.

[DiscordantNote]

Aww....he's so cute. I want to poke him!

[Hyperion]

Ferrets are illegal in California, so no ferrets for me.

So much for me getting one.

[meowth1982]

He's very cute. Do as much research as you can, I suggest at least a 3 level cage for one ferret, giving him enough room to run around in, and two hammies.

The book "Ferrets for Dummies", while sounding like a mean book, isn't a mean book at all. Many concider it the bible for ferret owners, and I agree.

Ferrets are definately an investment. If you're not prepared to drop 500 dollars on them at any time due to vet bills, then you should be owning a ferret. Period. That goes for anyone. Also, a diet of raw meat is prefered (I know many that feed live and prekilled chicks) although a mixture of several high quality kitten foods can be done as well, as long as there is food in the bowl 24/7.

Do not put a collar on him or harness on him all the time, only when he's leashing. It can get caught on anything and actually bring a lot of harm and sometimes even death. It's very dangerous, and not something I advocate to anyone.

After a year of being called Romeo, I personally wouldn't change his name. Ferrets don't normally "respond" to a name as a dog or cat would, but that doesn't mean they don't know their name just the same

After owning ferrets for 3 years and conducting several research papers on them for English classes and campaigns to stop the early shipping of ferrets to pet stores, I'm more than happy to share any other knowledge with you that I have, I'm always available by PM. My only request of you is that you please please please please PLEASE read Ferrets For Dummies before ever bringing Romeo into your house. It will help to be extremely useful in the end.

[Igg]

Good looking ferret there.

[Bangel]

He's very cute. Do as much research as you can, I suggest at least a 3 level cage for one ferret, giving him enough room to run around in, and two hammies.

Is a month of research good enough?

The book "Ferrets for Dummies", while sounding like a mean book, isn't a mean book at all. Many concider it the bible for ferret owners, and I agree.

Nah, I'll stick with the 30-some (in Microsoft Word pages) page book I found online. Someone who created a ferret shelter wrote it- very informative and easy to understand.

Ferrets are definately an investment. If you're not prepared to drop 500 dollars on them at any time due to vet bills, then you shouldn't be owning a ferret. Period. That goes for anyone. Also, a diet of raw meat is prefered (I know many that feed live and prekilled chicks) although a mixture of several high quality kitten foods can be done as well, as long as there is food in the bowl 24/7.

There are also foods made especially for ferrets, as well as the high quality kitten food thing.

Do not put a collar on him or harness on him all the time, only when he's leashing. It can get caught on anything and actually bring a lot of harm and sometimes even death. It's very dangerous, and not something I advocate to anyone.

Of course, I've read about this as well as using common sense- it would be stupid to leave him alone with the leash or harness on, there are too many things that could happen.

After a year of being called Romeo, I personally wouldn't change his name. Ferrets don't normally "respond" to a name as a dog or cat would, but that doesn't mean they don't know their name just the same

He hasn't been Romeo for a year, only since he got to the shelter- which wasn't very long ago. Thanks for the information about responding to names- my book doesn't say anything about it, and I was wondering as to how they respond. Like a rodent (they don't respond at all; and yes, I know ferrets are NOT rodents *cough*Paul*cough*) or a dog (which does respond to a name).

After owning ferrets for 3 years and conducting several research papers on them for English classes and campaigns to stop the early shipping of ferrets to pet stores, I'm more than happy to share any other knowledge with you that I have, I'm always available by PM. My only request of you is that you please please please please PLEASE read Ferrets For Dummies before ever bringing Romeo into your house. It will help to be extremely useful in the end.

Meowth, dear, thank you for all the help- but I don't think I need Ferrets for Dummies. I'm not so stupid to take a pet such as a ferret into my home without doing my fair share of research behind it. I researched for an entire month before even considering purchasing things for it, and I swear I know what I'm doing- quiz me if you like.

A ferret lives: 5-8 years is the commonly thought lifespan, though some believe 6-10 years (more commonly at 6).

Major health risks: Adrenal Disease, Heart Disease (Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure), Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (Green Mystery Virus), Insulinoma (islet cell tumors), Lymphosarcoma, Skin Tumors, Splenomegaly (Enlarged Spleen), Gastric Ulcers and Helicobacter mustelae, Intestinal Blockages, Cutaneous Vaccine Reactions, Urinary Tract Infections and Prostate Trouble, Bladder Stones.

Limitations on Ferret Owning: Ferret owning is only illegal in two states: Hawaii and California. This is for a vary of rather wrong and badly researched reasons that make no sense at all. They are also banned in some cities, such as Washington DC, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Beaumont, other various cities in Texas, Bloomington and Burnsville, MN; Tulsa, OK; Columbus, OH; London, York, and East York, Ontario, Canada; Puerto Rico. Although ferrets aren't actually illegal in New York City or Minneapolis, MN, they are not welcomed and may be confiscated or ticketed. Similarly, although it's legal to own ferrets in South Carolina, it's not legal to sell them there, and the state is known to be pretty ferret-unfriendly. Many military bases ban ferrets. It seems to be at the discretion of the base commander. Permits or licenses are required in order to own ferrets in the following places: New Jersey ($10/year), Rhode Island ($10/year). Permits are also required in St. Paul, MN, and may be difficult to obtain. Contrary to popular belief, you do NOT need a permit simply to own a ferret in Illinois- if you don't believe me, take it up with the government.

Original costs: Prices for ferrets vary widely from place to place, and depending on where you get the ferret. Prices for stores and breeders are usually in the US $75-$250 range, typically around $100. Another $100-$250 for a cage and supplies, plus around $75 for the first batch of vaccinations.

Vaccinations: Canine distemper, rabies.

Other surgeries needed: Spaying and neutering is a must, especially spaying for a jill (an unaltered female ferret is called a jill, an unaltered male ferret is called a hobb). Jills go into heat such as dogs and cats, but unlike dogs and cats, they stay in heat until mated and will die if not mated. Thusfore, it is VERY important for the life of your jill that you get her spayed. Descenting is optional. It is a procedure the removes the scent glands near the tail. Ferrets will always have a musky odor, no matter what you do, the descenting process just makes sure the ferret doesn't produce the bad smelling musk it would naturally when frightened. Some people also decide to have their ferret declawed- though personally I believe that's a load of hooey that cripples the ferret.

Care: A ferret needs LOTS of time outside of the cage. The book I read says four hours, suggested much more. Having budgies that need out two hours a day, I think I can handle this. Ferrets need their nails clipped at LEAST once a month, though every two weeks or more is much more recommended. You should always make sure you know what you're doing when you clip a ferret's nails or get a vet to do it for you- one wrong move and you could cut the sensitive quick and the ferret could bleed to death. Ferrets also need their teeth cleaned excessively. You can do this yourself, but it's suggested you get a vet to do the full job at least once a year. The ears also need to be cleaned and checked for ear mites very often.

Looks: Ferrets often change colors with the seasons, lighter in the winter than in the summer, and many of them lighten as they age, too. Different ferret organizations recognize different colors and patterns, but unless you're planning to enter your ferret in a show, the exact label isn't particularly important. The albino is white with red eyes and a pink nose. A dark-eyed white can have very light eyes and can possibly be confused with an albino. These can actually range from white to cream colored with the whiter the color the better. A dark-eyed white (often called a black-eyed white) is a ferret with white guard hairs but eyes darker than the red of an albino. The sable has rich dark brown guard hairs with golden highlights, with a white to golden undercoat. A black sable has blue-black guard hairs with no golden or brownish cast, with a white to cream undercoat. The chocolate is described as warm dark to milk chocolate brown with a white to golden or amber undercoat and highlights. A cinnamon is a rich light reddish brown with a golden to white undercoat. This can also be used to describe a ferret with light, tan guard hairs with pinkish or reddish highlights. Straight tan is a champagne. A silver starts out grey, or white with a few black hairs. The ferret may or may not have a mask. There is a tendency for the guard hair to lighten to white evenly over the body. As a ferret ages each progressive coat change has a higher percentage of white rather than dark guard hairs. Eventually the ferret could be all white. White patches on the throat might be called throat stars, throat stripes, or bibs; white toes, mitts (sometimes called silver mitts), or stockings go progressively further up the legs. A blaze or badger has a white stripe on the top of the head, and a panda has a fully white head. A siamese has an even darker color on the legs and tail than usual and a V-shaped mask; and a self is nearly solid in color.

Other: For first time owners like myself, a baby ferret (called a kit) is not a good choice. Ferrets have very tough hides, and "play" with a force that could tear apart a small animal. Kits will assume your hide is as tough as theirs, and would probably play way too rough. Ferrets are like kittens in the sense that they have a lot of energy. However, ferrets don't lose their kitten energy as they get older. An older ferret may slow down a bit, but the amount of energy should be fairly constant.

Now that I've bored you with all that, at least now I'll have more information I can look up easily by going to PPT.

(And you're lucky that I only went into the basics... I can and have in the past bored people for hours with this stuff. )

[Shoelace]

I've always wanted a ferret but my mum refuses because 'they smell'.
I know full well they smell but I don't think they smell that bad, sort of a bit sweaty but that's it.
I think it's because she scared of rodents.
But that's a gorgeous ferret.
What gave you the idea for Romeo?

[Eskimo]

Cangrasts Dawn. I can't wait to come see him. I think Rini is a PERFECT name for him. Very cute. I want to poke him as well. XD I luuuurrrrrrvvvvveeee him. SQUEE

[Bangel]

I've always wanted a ferret but my mum refuses because 'they smell'.
I know full well they smell but I don't think they smell that bad, sort of a bit sweaty but that's it.
I think it's because she scared of rodents.
But that's a gorgeous ferret.
What gave you the idea for Romeo?

Oh, I didn't name him Romeo, that's what the shelter picked for him.

[Shoelace]

I've always wanted a ferret but my mum refuses because 'they smell'.
I know full well they smell but I don't think they smell that bad, sort of a bit sweaty but that's it.
I think it's because she scared of rodents.
But that's a gorgeous ferret.
What gave you the idea for Romeo?

Oh, I didn't name him Romeo, that's what the shelter picked for him.

That's cool that you got him from a shelter
When I saw the name Romeo the first thing to pop into my head was "When I get a ferret I shall call it Tybalt!"
I'm obsessed with trying to call things Tybalt, that name just rocks.

[AFI_Sorrow]

Awww, ferret! I've always wanted a ferret, since they're pretty cool. (Though my apartment doesn't allow pets.) *pats little Romeo on the head*

[untouchable dragon]

AWW! He's so cute. I've always wanted to own a ferret because they're so cute and fluffy. But I settled for a dog, because they're easier to get hold of