I've been wanting to own ferrets since I was twelve (currently seventeen) and unfortunately my parents won't allow me, but I'm so glad to have channels like yours out there to ensure that I'll be fully equipped with the knowledge to properly care for them once I'm living on my own!! So thank you for making content!
This should be mandatory viewing for anyone before getting ferrets. We love our little stinky thireving carpet sharks, but you gotta know what you are in for. Great work as always Haley!
I hope you're out taking them for leash walks at night, I leash walk my ferret every single night for 6-8 blocks. But don't walk them in the day time, as they're nocturnal.
You’re in for shit, piss, and destruction. My whole house smelled like a porta-potty and 20 gallons of ammonia were dumped on everything I owned. God I was dumb in my 20’s.
OH MY GOSH THE ESCAPING!! I had one ferret claw through a window screen from a window I thought he couldn't reach while I went to get groceries. He has anxiety and isn't adventurous without me with him so THANKFULLY once he got outside, he hid in a bush. When I got back from the store, he saw me walking up to the house and ran out of the bush, right up to me. I had to close that window from then on. But EVERY DAY for 2 years, until we moved, he jumped at that window, because he got out once and was hoping to again.
Yikes! I live in a very rural area in Alaska and my youngest managed to escape from my brother while I was at the gym. He was sure she was gone, but when I got home and heard, I went and and stood very still and looked carefully. Thankfully, though she had been out in my huge acreage, she had not gone much past the garden and stood up when she heard my voice. I was able to walk up and scoop her up. Whoo, that was a scary time and I'm so glad I found her.
I always tell people who say they want them to maybe not. Especially if they don’t have the money and emotional strength to deal with their health issues. It’s heart breaking to see them get sick but I can’t imagine my life without them.
another downside is they can get severely depressed if they've found a mate. that happened to me with my boy Roxas. me and my former friend each had ferrets he found his mate in her female ferret, sadly because they didn't live together he became super depressed being away from her for too long, whereas before he was always super bubbly and loved being around me, he loved cuddling with me and after he just was like a shell of himself, so I gave him to her so he could be happy. he was my first ferret and sadly my last. I grew very attached to him in only a few months so i don't want to go through that again.
I think the biggest mistake people make when they get ferrets is thinking they are caged animals, like a hamster or guinea pig. A ferret is like owning a dog and they need a huge space to come out of the cage and play. When I got mine I didn't realize how much space they need to play. I think alot of people get ferrets and keep them in cages for most of their life which makes me heartbroken. When you buy them at the pet store they don't tell you this stuff, and they usually have the ferrets in a way too small enclosure next to the hamsters and guinea pigs.
I've had 8 ferrets over 30 years and have never owned a cage, and it sickens me to see a TH-cam video of a ferret in a cage. I leash walk my current ferret 6-8 blocks every single night, we walk around the University of AZ/Tucson campus at night, sometimes we walk downtown Tucson on a busy SAt. night, and in Las Vegas, I'd walk my ferret on the Las Vegas Strip at night when the crowds died down. But I only walk my ferret at night as they're nocturnal.
i have two ferrets and i bought them for $800 together. i absolutely love them and wouldnt trade them for anything in the world. yes, they are troublemakers, but they love me and i love them and thats enough to keep me going with them
If you want to keep a ferret healthy then feed it fresh meat. A natural diet of fur and feather only. A "LOT" of ferret medical problems are down to the artificial foods they're given ie. kibble, dried/wet processed meats including pet canned meats. These foods contain additives and preservatives which are harmful to the ferret over time. I've kept working ferrets most of my life, some as pets that slept with the dogs, chased the kids round the house, shared the cat tray. They are very sociable intelligent animals that can live upwards of 10 yrs. Keep them healthy, keep them happy, keep them longer. Little tip for those who are thinking about getting a ferret as a pet. If you are unlucky enough to get bitten on your hand then remember not to lift your hand as the poor ferret won't be able to get it's teeth out until your lower your hand. :) gotta love em ;)
Yours was the first ferret youtubes I found when my brother surprised me with my first ferret (who just turned two). Then a few months later I got another so we have a tribe now. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I come up with all kinds of games, all SEVEN litter pans cleaned no less than 3x a day, one loves me to hold her in my lap while she eats (I think it's because I held her and dripped water down her for hours the one time she got sick), they are both incredible thieves and escape artists (all doors with any room for a ferret are covered with plastic mesh by the floor). Grew up with many dogs, cats, cows, horses, chickens, pigs...but these little smarties are soooo loving and fun. They listen when I say please don't bite, sometimes (sometimes) they listen when I call "not on the floor, you're right by the pan...".). It's never dull and they are just priceless. Both wardance several times a day cuz I do invent a lot of games, one is especially good at speed bumping. Thank you for so much info and sharing your own gorgeous creatures!!
I spend $325-400 every 6 months for implants for just one ferret. Now it’s starting for two ferrets. It’s worth it to me but they don’t tell you these things when you start out. This video was perfect and thank you for diving into it.
@@jackmemphis777it a small implant that goes under the skin and slowly releases medicine. I got it for one of my ferrets but he didn't seem happy a year after so I ended up putting him down. Best of luck.
I wish our ferrets’ health problems only costed hundreds of dollars like mentioned. We were well into the thousands upon thousands of dollars per ferret 😢😢. Between multiple Adrenal Disease, Insulinoma’s, Seizures, Multiple Tumor removals, a leg amputation, and a few other emergencies. Another thing to consider when it comes to vets is having an emergency 24 hour vet that also see ferrets. We have one that’s 45 minutes away.. but our last two emergencies we had overnight, they weren’t seeing emergencies, causing us to have to drive 3 hours away. (We ended up losing our little Hagrid due to damage done by a seizure… whether or not the longer drive made it worse or not, we’ll never know 😢). Between the emergency vet issues we had, and your last point of lifespans, we are taking a break from ferrets. We lose 3 in the matter of a year, Hagrid was only 5 when we lost him; and even though our Kreacher and Winky made it past 7, it didn’t make it any easier. Honestly, our biggest mistake was not thinking about lifespans of all our pets, and when they’d all reach senior ages, which ended up being all at the same time 😢. So our hearts definitely need a break ❤
Exactly the US has RUINED these animals! The ones in the UK are so much healthier and live twice as long 12-14 years! Between good breeders RAW FEEDING and more natural lifestyle the UK ferret is a happier healthier animal!
These videos always make me happy and I love how educational they are. I am so glad I found this content ,I have learnt so much about ferrets the last couple of months I am obsessed !Thank you!☺
I got 4 ferrets from a pet store and 1 had cancer and died a month later. $1800 1 had addrenal disease $300 every year All 4 had fleas and ear mites. $400 for complete treatment. All animals cost alot to vet though. You should have backup money before buying any pet. At least $5,000
Thank you for being honest and people need to understand and resurch alot because it is a commitment and is expensive ...but the way they touch your heart and change your life is amazing...and their worth it, every bit of it. I have 7 now
Ferrets are HORRIBLE pets! With that being said, I've owned a few over the past 20 years. You have to buy ferret proof furniture or they'll destroy it. They are one of nature's biggest jerks. Once they find out what you don't want them to do, it becomes their mission to do just that. And they are messy. My last ferret was Jerry. He passed away this past January at 8 years old. It's been 4 months and my family and I still miss him dearly. If you're thinking of getting a ferret, just be prepared for the commitment it takes to keep them happy and SAFE. Ferrets are God's rebuttal to the Darwin theory. They will constantly find new ways to endanger themselves,
i have a 1 year old and with health issues and i dont know if i will ever own another , so hard to see your baby go through so much sickness regardless of what you do to prevent it. great video
seriously yes escape artists. many times in my couch. someone ferret jumped out 2 story window. lost mine many times and had to tear apart our apartment to find them
i watched your videos a while back when I was considering what new pet to get after the loss of my pygmy hedgehog. That time it was the potty training videos especially making me back off, this time (though I'm not actually considering getting more pets) it would be the part about sicknesses and disease. My heart breaks every time even one of my fishes gets sick and dies, I don't think I could handle the suffering or loss of such personable animals such as ferrets. Thank you for giving me a heads up so I know what pet not to get - not all types animals are a fit for everyone.
I'm going to a rescue to adopt a new ferret tomorrow. A MAJOR biter that was abandoned by it's owners who moved & left him on a porch. The rescue hasn't been able to get a family to keep him, but I'm up for the challenge! My youngest ferret passed in Dec & my current one needs a buddy cuz she's sad, so thank goodness they said he gets along with other ferrets or I couldn't take him.
I still want to own a ferret. I'm currently looking for a good ensurance for ferrets, i'm also looking for all the neccessary stuff, before i get a ferret. What Haley said isn't a big deal to me. As a guy who helps my parents with their pets, it isn't a big deal to me at all. I gotta be honest here, the part with ferrets being easily bored is actually quite ideal to me. I'm easily bored too, so owning a ferret might actually be for the best in my case. I have autism and ADHD, and that last part means i have a lot of energy, and i don't get angry at all, so don't worry about the ferret. The ADHD part means, like i said, that i have a lot of energy, and if a ferret wants to play with me, i'll gladly do so, because i'm used to getting biten by playful dogs, cats and sheeps, so biting ferrets isn't a big deal either. I see this as a big win. It's a win win situation for me. Like i said, the things Haley talked about isn't a big deal, and certainly isn't a big con for me. It's more of a minor inconvenience that you in the end don't care about at all, so i will continue on my crusade of owning a ferret or two. I even have names for the little critters, already.
We got our girl, Sneki, about 16 months ago & your videos have been instrumental in this beautiful adventure! Thank you so much for all the crucial information! "Snekernoodle" thanks you, too!
Please keep making content! I'm currently going back through the archives. I love ferrets and want to own another but I'm just not emotionally ready. Your channel helps me focus that desire into healthy preparation and it takes the "edge" off committing an "impulse buy." Thank you so much!
I've been owning ferrets for over 20 years. One of my recent ones, Sean, is the first time in my life that has a weird biting habbit. I got him when he was just weened and was only 6 inches long. It didn't take long before he has this fixation of wanting to sink his canines into my forearms, but only my forearms. No signs of aggression, not play related, he will just start licking and then sink his teeth in and jerk lazily. they always break the skin but not too deep. No form of nip training worked. Aron and all previous ferrets I ever owned were quick to train and were sweethearts. It's a mystery to me, I think it's just a possible genetic quirk from either poor breeding or polecat mix. (he does sport unusual markings I never seen in a ferret before).
I have loved ferrets and wanted to keep them since I first saw one when I was about 5 years old, but I‘m still at university and so I decided to wait until I have a stable job and a home where I could have a dedicated pets and ferrets room. Currently I just don’t have the money and time to give them the care and attention they deserve and from time to time I‘m gone for a week or so and I don’t have anyone I could entrust with taking care of a ferret. Also I use parts of my flat as a workspace and there’s always small parts laying behind or under furniture that a ferret might easily reach and swallow. But I previously had cats and my flat is cat safe (meaning that areas that a cat can reach are safe) and so I‘ll get a little cat and hope that the both of us are one day joined by some chaotic weasels.
@@TheModernFerret well im down to 2 now! Had to get 3 rehoused, since my stroke they were to much for me,! But more time for the remaining 2 ( and easier to keep clean
Such a excellent video. I hope people know just how expensive and time consuming it is to own these wonderful little jesters. The cages were $700, the food is $150+ per month for our 3 ferrets. Then paper litter, toys and pee pad costs each month. Our carpet was dug up and they tend to leave toothpaste texture poop surprises near their litter boxes and pee pads lol. Have realistic expectations before sharing your life with ferrets. They are amazing and wonderful, but expensive and a lot of work.
@Terri Caton Yikes!! I have hardwood floors (old house) so while I have 7 pans for my two, they sometimes get caught up in play and just go wherev. I check floors and corners every day as part of ferret maintenance (and clean the pans no less than 3x a day; I have a great system).
I've had 8 ferrets over 30 years and never owned a cage, and it tears me up to see a video with a ferret in a cage. I've leash walked all my ferrets, over the years, every single nite for 6-8 blocks. In Las Vegas I'd even walk one of the my ferrets on the Las Vegas STrip when the crowds died down. Here, in Tucson, we walk around the University of AZ campus at night, meeting lots of people in our walks.
@Terri Caton my ferret only bothers me when he jumps in bed with me, licks my hair and my face, to show love for me, then he goes to the end of the bed to sleep. Even when I had 5 ferrets running around my house they never bothered my sleep.
@@michaelellringer5600 I just got my first ferret a month ago and let her out for a few hours a day but shes tearing up my carpets so I have to supervise her most of the time. Where do all your ferrets poop? Mine goes in random spots when outside of the cage, but she goes in the same 2 spots in the cage. I have ferret proofed the kitchen and house for the most part. If it wasnt for her tearing up the carpets and one of the mats, then I would never close the cage
Really happy I stumbled on to this. She's really cool! And very good things to know! I really wanted to get one, but now I think I'd need a better/safer living quarters at least. Oh God, 5 to 7 years is too heart breaking
One of my ferrets could open zippers, one of my ferrets thinks she's a cat (she started life with cats) and climbs everything (including the coat tree, the outside of the ceiling height cage). She recently discovered she can climb into, and to the top of, the linen closet after opening the cabinet door. Also, your shoe inserts are fair game for stealing/chewing. Only 1 ferret out of 5 I've had is cuddly. And POOP! Right now my one ferret is almost flawless with using the litter box. My other one... 99% of the time will make a point NOT to use the box. Or the puppy pads. Good thing he's a cuddler... And yes, the vet bills are often expensive, even routine ones, and the almost inevitable diseases are heartbreaking.
thanks so much for tuning it early!! My hope is that people will really think about these downsides to see if they can actually handle ferrets. I just finished a script on "The True Cost of Ferrets" which I think might be eye-opening to a lot of people!
This video was amazing, think everyone should know, especially the escape artist bit! I recently adopted 2 boys and 1 was found as a stray, but only after a week of owning him I actually think he managed to escape and just wasn't claimed
Thanks you for the video! I don’t see myself getting a ferret because I already got a rotten dog that takes up all of my time. I still enjoy learning about them.
Just a tip for any ferret owners: Ferret pet insurance exists!! Nationwide has an insurance program that covers a decent variety of exotics such as chinchillas, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters and more. I’m currently looking into pet insurance for my four ferrets, as I have come to find that their care is EXTREMELY expensive without any insurance. With that said, investments in insurance should be made as soon as you get your ferret. Your rates will be higher if you get them insurance after they have had a medical problem.
Where I live I have to drive an hour and a half to a vet that takes care of ferrets .i have 4 ferrets. Had 5 but my one had a heart attack . I got the whole way to the veterinarian and as the veterinarian was examining him he passed away . That was a terrible car ride home
I had to laugh when you said there's 2 kinds of ferret owners bc I was the did it once and couldn't go through the heartache again side. But I'm glad I did it bc these little thieving spastic balls of pure energy were as lovable as much as they were a pain...RIP majik and Cain
I watched the video because I've been considering ferrets. Their lifespan is the biggest put off for me. I swore not to have a dog again because of the pain of losing my girl of 13 years. To think of having that, but only after like 5 to 8. It's a hard choice.
@doubleomaestro I lost my pup this last Dec, and it sucks, so I know what you mean..... Although ferrets may only live 5-8 yrs or so..they pack in about 15 years of love, fun and most notably..CHAOS! but a fun chaos, in those short years.
Personally if my ferret dies within 5-7 years I'll be heart broken but not enough to not get a new one I'll just end up getting another but as a baby like mine
Muy buen vídeo, el mío lleva 1 mes conmigo en casa y estoy encantada de tenerlo, pero tal como dijiste con relación a la caca, y creo que es por eso que suelen oler mal, porque la gente no tiene mucha higiene con relación a sus pertenencias. Un cordial saludo desde España.
i really want a ferrett but I need to wait to move out before I can get one, and I want cats, and lots more animals. my house is going to be like a zoo
@The Modern Ferret Hi, I also have Ferrets since many years. At the moment I have 5 of the little devils. They are 100% free in our house and have around the year free access to our balcony with a Sandbox, Earth box, swimming pool and many pipes for playing. Having Ferrets 100% free, they become very relaxed like a cat. I would only recommend a cage as a place where they decide to go in. Another interesting information I learned is that If you know someone that has problems with mice, rats or other rodents, ferret poop with water is the best. The rodents will leave very fast. Many people are getting ferret poop from us and say all said it's the best. Maybe you can try it too ;)
I’ve had five verts in my lifetime now that I’ve been my 60s I’d have a house full of them if I could they make a great companion to my cats they don’t fully understand them but they love to play with them
I rent a plot of land, in the countryside, I would make a park for him outside, the interior of the camper van is checked for hiding places or other problems for him, but I could not have a large cage inside and the previous one has scratched the rubber of the windows a lot, that's my big worry. what would you advise me?? I am ready not to take back a ferret if it is too difficult for me and therefore for him too. I am waiting for a 1 year old ferret who will already have a cage, used to the harness. thanks in advance
I have 2 ferrets. I’ve had them for about 3 months. 1 is awesome, he’s so chill, uses the litter box, leaves everything alone. And I’m pretty sure I hate my second one. Destroys everything even when he’s out to play, shits wherever he wants even on blankets, he’s a non stop asshole and I have no idea how long I’m gonna be able to put up with him
2 questions 1. If you have rodents in their own room that ferrets would have no access too. Would that still cause stress 2. How do you introduce ferrets to dogs or cats ?
Ferrets have been compagnions of farmers and hunters for ages . verry friendly and loyal animals exept for one tiny thing they can stink as no other , not suprising they are related to the skunk , and otter. also to some what more dangerous animals like the badger and wolverine . but that tells you enough how dangerous they can be to other animals . Its well know farmers used ferrets to root out rabits , musk rat and moles. that dig holes in fields forming a danger to farm animal leggs and vegetables grown .
I have a female dog already, and I’m thinking of adding another pet to the family. I am 18 years old, and thinking a ferret will be a great addition. And I do have a lot of time to give to my pets
i'd like to ask a question: my ferret (oogie boogie) was acting weird when i held him today, he wasn't biting. he also really likes me, but he made a weird sound while opening his mouth, and his sneezing was really intense. was he sneezing because of my hair? or is something wrong?
Oh, insulinoma - poor things will want either a steroid (hydrocortisone or similar) - or worse still, Diazoxide (Proglycem) - which is *REALLY* expensive and tastes *AWFUL.* I was suspected of having an insulinoma (turned out to be chronic pancreatitis) and needed to take Proglycem for several months - until I became an insulin-dependent diabetic…
Hi love your vids! They have helped me so much with my ferret Suki . Recently ive been looking to get another ferret for her to have a friend but I don't know if I should get another girl are if I should get a boy what do u recommend ( Suki is a girl)
Ferrets seem to get ill more than any other pet I've heard of. Do these health problems still crop up this much if you make sure they're very responsibly bred? Because generally I would only expect to see this level of health problems in inbred animals.
Normally when you get ferrets from a responsible breeder, their health tends to be better. But that also comes from keeping up with a great diet/enrichment and everything. But it's important to keep in mind that even privately bred ferrets can also suffer from these exact health problems.
I've had 8 ferrets over 30 years, and luckily, except for one of them, I never had to take any of them to a vet. Most of them only made it to 5-6 years old, partly because my soft heart gives them things to eat that they shouldn't.
@@michaelellringer5600 I find it very interesting that you had so many ferrets and so little health issues. 😮 im currently gathering all the important informations to be ready to get a ferret. In that case you mean you never took your ferrets to vet even for check ups right? What kind of food you gave them and did you get them from a professional breeder or other? Also in what kind of space were they leaving? Im trying to understand if all those diseases are maybe mainly related to bad breeding and unhealthy lifestyles. 🤔 Would greatly appreciate to know more about your personal experience with ferrets ☺️
@@yongsunmi1308 Andrenal issues are not un common with ferrets, they can now do implant to lengthen their lives. I've never owned a cage, they free roam my house, but make sure your house is ferret proofed so they can't get out. I take my ferret for 6-10 blocks walks every night and I even take my ferret to the bars with me, and if you do that, you may become the headliners of the bar. I find female ferrets to be more hyperactive than male ferrets and I've had better luck walking my male ferrets than female ferrets. Ferrets are heat sensitive, so in the hot summers here in Tucson, I walk my ferret in the coolest part of the night, around 3am. If you A/C goes out in summer, you may have to go to a motel until its fixed as they'll die in the heat.
@@michaelellringer5600 Thank you so much for all the precious advice! And I had no idea that ferrets are so sensitive to heat, that's really good information to have🙏
#themodernferret I have a question for you. My wife and I are going to be getting a ferret soon and we want to know a bit more about feeding them. Lots of videos say that ferret kibble is trash and some cat kibbles are better. They also say that raw and whole pray is best. What I can't find is how much mice to feed them and if I can feed both cat kibbles and mice to make sure they get enough to eat.
rabbits/bunnies should be on top of the list of animals that ferrets don't get along with, they are natural enemies. ferrets can bite so hard, because they were bread for and used to reduce the rabbit population in europe. while rabbits are bigger than ferrets, a ferret will not let go of its prey.
Hi Haley, I was wondering, since I have a job what should I do with my ferret while I am away. I know they need constant playtime and don't know what to do.
Ferrets can nap a lot of the day, as long as they're still getting a good 4-6 hrs of attention before or after work and of course plenty of time on days off you should be fine
Hey! So how do you keep your ferret from wanting to go into places? Mine wants to go into the garage and it’s dangerous in there. We have a cat door that he’s trying to scratch through
I have two little critters and there is no way to keep them from wanting to get into places; it's there nature, lol! One or both will come running if I ever open the garage door. I always always put up a sign so others in the house know to be cautious when my two are about (which is a lot).When I need to go to the garage, I'll start to open it, then I pause and look around and will scoop them up if need be. But it's been a real good way to get them to come out of hiding, lol. I don't have a cat door but if I did I'd sure fasten it shut, there is no way I'd want my little ferrins in there! They are very good at figuring things out so you just have to constantly be aware of where they are! Good luck Cate!
Pros of owning a ferret: It's a ferret
Cons of owning a ferret: It's a ferret
Real
I've been wanting to own ferrets since I was twelve (currently seventeen) and unfortunately my parents won't allow me, but I'm so glad to have channels like yours out there to ensure that I'll be fully equipped with the knowledge to properly care for them once I'm living on my own!! So thank you for making content!
You are so sweet! Keep saving up and keep learning. You'll get there some day and I bet you will be a great owner!
@@TheModernFerret I have a hamster 😢 but I do have a dog
@@TheModernFerret These weasels I like to call can't survive very well out in the wild can they?
Don’t do it…. I had three, and they are super nasty.
@@progradepainting3755 no the mustelids cannot survive on their own in the wild
This should be mandatory viewing for anyone before getting ferrets. We love our little stinky thireving carpet sharks, but you gotta know what you are in for. Great work as always Haley!
thanks so much for the encouragement! kind words go a long way!
I hope you're out taking them for leash walks at night, I leash walk my ferret every single night for 6-8 blocks. But don't walk them in the day time, as they're nocturnal.
😊
You’re in for shit, piss, and destruction. My whole house smelled like a porta-potty and 20 gallons of ammonia were dumped on everything I owned. God I was dumb in my 20’s.
OH MY GOSH THE ESCAPING!! I had one ferret claw through a window screen from a window I thought he couldn't reach while I went to get groceries. He has anxiety and isn't adventurous without me with him so THANKFULLY once he got outside, he hid in a bush. When I got back from the store, he saw me walking up to the house and ran out of the bush, right up to me. I had to close that window from then on. But EVERY DAY for 2 years, until we moved, he jumped at that window, because he got out once and was hoping to again.
Yikes! I live in a very rural area in Alaska and my youngest managed to escape from my brother while I was at the gym. He was sure she was gone, but when I got home and heard, I went and and stood very still and looked carefully. Thankfully, though she had been out in my huge acreage, she had not gone much past the garden and stood up when she heard my voice. I was able to walk up and scoop her up. Whoo, that was a scary time and I'm so glad I found her.
I always tell people who say they want them to maybe not. Especially if they don’t have the money and emotional strength to deal with their health issues. It’s heart breaking to see them get sick but I can’t imagine my life without them.
another downside is they can get severely depressed if they've found a mate. that happened to me with my boy Roxas. me and my former friend each had ferrets he found his mate in her female ferret, sadly because they didn't live together he became super depressed being away from her for too long, whereas before he was always super bubbly and loved being around me, he loved cuddling with me and after he just was like a shell of himself, so I gave him to her so he could be happy. he was my first ferret and sadly my last. I grew very attached to him in only a few months so i don't want to go through that again.
I think the biggest mistake people make when they get ferrets is thinking they are caged animals, like a hamster or guinea pig. A ferret is like owning a dog and they need a huge space to come out of the cage and play. When I got mine I didn't realize how much space they need to play. I think alot of people get ferrets and keep them in cages for most of their life which makes me heartbroken. When you buy them at the pet store they don't tell you this stuff, and they usually have the ferrets in a way too small enclosure next to the hamsters and guinea pigs.
I've had 8 ferrets over 30 years and have never owned a cage, and it sickens me to see a TH-cam video of a ferret in a cage. I leash walk my current ferret 6-8 blocks every single night, we walk around the University of AZ/Tucson campus at night, sometimes we walk downtown Tucson on a busy SAt. night, and in Las Vegas, I'd walk my ferret on the Las Vegas Strip at night when the crowds died down. But I only walk my ferret at night as they're nocturnal.
@@michaelellringer5600I thought they were crepuscular.
i have two ferrets and i bought them for $800 together. i absolutely love them and wouldnt trade them for anything in the world. yes, they are troublemakers, but they love me and i love them and thats enough to keep me going with them
If you want to keep a ferret healthy then feed it fresh meat. A natural diet of fur and feather only. A "LOT" of ferret medical problems are down to the artificial foods they're given ie. kibble, dried/wet processed meats including pet canned meats. These foods contain additives and preservatives which are harmful to the ferret over time. I've kept working ferrets most of my life, some as pets that slept with the dogs, chased the kids round the house, shared the cat tray. They are very sociable intelligent animals that can live upwards of 10 yrs. Keep them healthy, keep them happy, keep them longer. Little tip for those who are thinking about getting a ferret as a pet. If you are unlucky enough to get bitten on your hand then remember not to lift your hand as the poor ferret won't be able to get it's teeth out until your lower your hand. :) gotta love em ;)
Yours was the first ferret youtubes I found when my brother surprised me with my first ferret (who just turned two). Then a few months later I got another so we have a tribe now. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I come up with all kinds of games, all SEVEN litter pans cleaned no less than 3x a day, one loves me to hold her in my lap while she eats (I think it's because I held her and dripped water down her for hours the one time she got sick), they are both incredible thieves and escape artists (all doors with any room for a ferret are covered with plastic mesh by the floor). Grew up with many dogs, cats, cows, horses, chickens, pigs...but these little smarties are soooo loving and fun. They listen when I say please don't bite, sometimes (sometimes) they listen when I call "not on the floor, you're right by the pan...".). It's never dull and they are just priceless. Both wardance several times a day cuz I do invent a lot of games, one is especially good at speed bumping. Thank you for so much info and sharing your own gorgeous creatures!!
"never a dull moment" soooo true!! thanks for watching
I spend $325-400 every 6 months for implants for just one ferret. Now it’s starting for two ferrets. It’s worth it to me but they don’t tell you these things when you start out. This video was perfect and thank you for diving into it.
Implants?
@@caseygragg9416 You don't wanna know
@@parlor3115 i Just got my first ferret a month ago so yeah I do kinda want to know
@@jackmemphis777it a small implant that goes under the skin and slowly releases medicine. I got it for one of my ferrets but he didn't seem happy a year after so I ended up putting him down. Best of luck.
@@parlor3115Desolorin or melatonin?
I wish our ferrets’ health problems only costed hundreds of dollars like mentioned. We were well into the thousands upon thousands of dollars per ferret 😢😢. Between multiple Adrenal Disease, Insulinoma’s, Seizures, Multiple Tumor removals, a leg amputation, and a few other emergencies.
Another thing to consider when it comes to vets is having an emergency 24 hour vet that also see ferrets. We have one that’s 45 minutes away.. but our last two emergencies we had overnight, they weren’t seeing emergencies, causing us to have to drive 3 hours away. (We ended up losing our little Hagrid due to damage done by a seizure… whether or not the longer drive made it worse or not, we’ll never know 😢).
Between the emergency vet issues we had, and your last point of lifespans, we are taking a break from ferrets. We lose 3 in the matter of a year, Hagrid was only 5 when we lost him; and even though our Kreacher and Winky made it past 7, it didn’t make it any easier.
Honestly, our biggest mistake was not thinking about lifespans of all our pets, and when they’d all reach senior ages, which ended up being all at the same time 😢. So our hearts definitely need a break ❤
You should have mentioned if you’re going to get a ferret get one that was NOT bred in the US!
Exactly the US has RUINED these animals! The ones in the UK are so much healthier and live twice as long 12-14 years! Between good breeders RAW FEEDING and more natural lifestyle the UK ferret is a happier healthier animal!
These videos always make me happy and I love how educational they are. I am so glad I found this content ,I have learnt so much about ferrets the last couple of months I am obsessed !Thank you!☺
I got 4 ferrets from a pet store and 1 had cancer and died a month later. $1800
1 had addrenal disease $300 every year
All 4 had fleas and ear mites. $400 for complete treatment.
All animals cost alot to vet though. You should have backup money before buying any pet. At least $5,000
Rule 1 of ferrets, get them from any breeder with stock originating from OUTSIDE the US.
Thanks for the video! I think, even through all these cons, ferrets are fantastic. They have been the best thing in my life for quite a while now.
I totally understand that perspective. Elijah has been quite a comfort to me this past year and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Thank you for being honest and people need to understand and resurch alot because it is a commitment and is expensive ...but the way they touch your heart and change your life is amazing...and their worth it, every bit of it. I have 7 now
totally agree!
Ferrets are HORRIBLE pets! With that being said, I've owned a few over the past 20 years. You have to buy ferret proof furniture or they'll destroy it. They are one of nature's biggest jerks. Once they find out what you don't want them to do, it becomes their mission to do just that. And they are messy. My last ferret was Jerry. He passed away this past January at 8 years old. It's been 4 months and my family and I still miss him dearly. If you're thinking of getting a ferret, just be prepared for the commitment it takes to keep them happy and SAFE. Ferrets are God's rebuttal to the Darwin theory. They will constantly find new ways to endanger themselves,
i have a 1 year old and with health issues and i dont know if i will ever own another , so hard to see your baby go through so much sickness regardless of what you do to prevent it. great video
seriously yes escape artists. many times in my couch. someone ferret jumped out 2 story window. lost mine many times and had to tear apart our apartment to find them
i watched your videos a while back when I was considering what new pet to get after the loss of my pygmy hedgehog. That time it was the potty training videos especially making me back off, this time (though I'm not actually considering getting more pets) it would be the part about sicknesses and disease. My heart breaks every time even one of my fishes gets sick and dies, I don't think I could handle the suffering or loss of such personable animals such as ferrets.
Thank you for giving me a heads up so I know what pet not to get - not all types animals are a fit for everyone.
I'm going to a rescue to adopt a new ferret tomorrow. A MAJOR biter that was abandoned by it's owners who moved & left him on a porch. The rescue hasn't been able to get a family to keep him, but I'm up for the challenge! My youngest ferret passed in Dec & my current one needs a buddy cuz she's sad, so thank goodness they said he gets along with other ferrets or I couldn't take him.
I still want to own a ferret. I'm currently looking for a good ensurance for ferrets, i'm also looking for all the neccessary stuff, before i get a ferret. What Haley said isn't a big deal to me. As a guy who helps my parents with their pets, it isn't a big deal to me at all.
I gotta be honest here, the part with ferrets being easily bored is actually quite ideal to me. I'm easily bored too, so owning a ferret might actually be for the best in my case. I have autism and ADHD, and that last part means i have a lot of energy, and i don't get angry at all, so don't worry about the ferret. The ADHD part means, like i said, that i have a lot of energy, and if a ferret wants to play with me, i'll gladly do so, because i'm used to getting biten by playful dogs, cats and sheeps, so biting ferrets isn't a big deal either.
I see this as a big win. It's a win win situation for me. Like i said, the things Haley talked about isn't a big deal, and certainly isn't a big con for me. It's more of a minor inconvenience that you in the end don't care about at all, so i will continue on my crusade of owning a ferret or two. I even have names for the little critters, already.
You should get one u sound very passionate and caring towards the animal but make sure u r saved up and prepared for your new friend
Ensurance?
Thank you for more information on ferrets. We can never have too much of it
We got our girl, Sneki, about 16 months ago & your videos have been instrumental in this beautiful adventure! Thank you so much for all the crucial information! "Snekernoodle" thanks you, too!
Please keep making content! I'm currently going back through the archives. I love ferrets and want to own another but I'm just not emotionally ready. Your channel helps me focus that desire into healthy preparation and it takes the "edge" off committing an "impulse buy." Thank you so much!
I've been owning ferrets for over 20 years.
One of my recent ones, Sean, is the first time in my life that has a weird biting habbit.
I got him when he was just weened and was only 6 inches long. It didn't take long before he has this fixation of wanting to sink his canines into my forearms, but only my forearms.
No signs of aggression, not play related, he will just start licking and then sink his teeth in and jerk lazily. they always break the skin but not too deep. No form of nip training worked.
Aron and all previous ferrets I ever owned were quick to train and were sweethearts. It's a mystery to me, I think it's just a possible genetic quirk from either poor breeding or polecat mix. (he does sport unusual markings I never seen in a ferret before).
I have loved ferrets and wanted to keep them since I first saw one when I was about 5 years old, but I‘m still at university and so I decided to wait until I have a stable job and a home where I could have a dedicated pets and ferrets room.
Currently I just don’t have the money and time to give them the care and attention they deserve and from time to time I‘m gone for a week or so and I don’t have anyone I could entrust with taking care of a ferret.
Also I use parts of my flat as a workspace and there’s always small parts laying behind or under furniture that a ferret might easily reach and swallow.
But I previously had cats and my flat is cat safe (meaning that areas that a cat can reach are safe) and so I‘ll get a little cat and hope that the both of us are one day joined by some chaotic weasels.
Great to see you guys back again!
thanks so much for watching! It's just me now but I really appreciate the support :)
@@TheModernFerret well im down to 2 now! Had to get 3 rehoused, since my stroke they were to much for me,! But more time for the remaining 2 ( and easier to keep clean
what a brilliant channel name
Frr
Such a excellent video. I hope people know just how expensive and time consuming it is to own these wonderful little jesters. The cages were $700, the food is $150+ per month for our 3 ferrets. Then paper litter, toys and pee pad costs each month. Our carpet was dug up and they tend to leave toothpaste texture poop surprises near their litter boxes and pee pads lol. Have realistic expectations before sharing your life with ferrets. They are amazing and wonderful, but expensive and a lot of work.
Thanks for the kind feedback. i think you explained it well in a concise way too: " They are amazing and wonderful, but expensive and a lot of work."
@Terri Caton Yikes!! I have hardwood floors (old house) so while I have 7 pans for my two, they sometimes get caught up in play and just go wherev. I check floors and corners every day as part of ferret maintenance (and clean the pans no less than 3x a day; I have a great system).
I've had 8 ferrets over 30 years and never owned a cage, and it tears me up to see a video with a ferret in a cage. I've leash walked all my ferrets, over the years, every single nite for 6-8 blocks. In Las Vegas I'd even walk one of the my ferrets on the Las Vegas STrip when the crowds died down. Here, in Tucson, we walk around the University of AZ campus at night, meeting lots of people in our walks.
@Terri Caton my ferret only bothers me when he jumps in bed with me, licks my hair and my face, to show love for me, then he goes to the end of the bed to sleep. Even when I had 5 ferrets running around my house they never bothered my sleep.
@@michaelellringer5600 I just got my first ferret a month ago and let her out for a few hours a day but shes tearing up my carpets so I have to supervise her most of the time. Where do all your ferrets poop? Mine goes in random spots when outside of the cage, but she goes in the same 2 spots in the cage. I have ferret proofed the kitchen and house for the most part. If it wasnt for her tearing up the carpets and one of the mats, then I would never close the cage
I can't imagine my life without them
Really happy I stumbled on to this. She's really cool! And very good things to know! I really wanted to get one, but now I think I'd need a better/safer living quarters at least.
Oh God, 5 to 7 years is too heart breaking
Some people think ferrets bite too hard?!?!
One of my ferrets could open zippers, one of my ferrets thinks she's a cat (she started life with cats) and climbs everything (including the coat tree, the outside of the ceiling height cage). She recently discovered she can climb into, and to the top of, the linen closet after opening the cabinet door. Also, your shoe inserts are fair game for stealing/chewing. Only 1 ferret out of 5 I've had is cuddly. And POOP! Right now my one ferret is almost flawless with using the litter box. My other one... 99% of the time will make a point NOT to use the box. Or the puppy pads. Good thing he's a cuddler...
And yes, the vet bills are often expensive, even routine ones, and the almost inevitable diseases are heartbreaking.
I am pretty sure my ferrin think shoe inserts were made just for them to steal!!! ;)
Early for the first time also thanks for posting this really helps people decide if they really want a ferret and have the time to get one and needs
thanks so much for tuning it early!! My hope is that people will really think about these downsides to see if they can actually handle ferrets. I just finished a script on "The True Cost of Ferrets" which I think might be eye-opening to a lot of people!
@@TheModernFerret looking forward to the next video ☺️
This video was amazing, think everyone should know, especially the escape artist bit! I recently adopted 2 boys and 1 was found as a stray, but only after a week of owning him I actually think he managed to escape and just wasn't claimed
So in other words, for me personally, ferrets would be the WORST pets for me to own. Thank you for helping me with that decision.
Why?
I just noticed 9 days after, Happy 50th video!!!
I have 9 ferret children
Would like a video about cost of vet for common diseases like lymphoma. Gotta be prepared. Is there any pet insurance for ferret?
These videos are the best, so informative
Thanks you for the video! I don’t see myself getting a ferret because I already got a rotten dog that takes up all of my time. I still enjoy learning about them.
Just a tip for any ferret owners: Ferret pet insurance exists!! Nationwide has an insurance program that covers a decent variety of exotics such as chinchillas, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters and more. I’m currently looking into pet insurance for my four ferrets, as I have come to find that their care is EXTREMELY expensive without any insurance.
With that said, investments in insurance should be made as soon as you get your ferret. Your rates will be higher if you get them insurance after they have had a medical problem.
Where I live I have to drive an hour and a half to a vet that takes care of ferrets .i have 4 ferrets. Had 5 but my one had a heart attack . I got the whole way to the veterinarian and as the veterinarian was examining him he passed away . That was a terrible car ride home
I had to laugh when you said there's 2 kinds of ferret owners bc I was the did it once and couldn't go through the heartache again side. But I'm glad I did it bc these little thieving spastic balls of pure energy were as lovable as much as they were a pain...RIP majik and Cain
I watched the video because I've been considering ferrets. Their lifespan is the biggest put off for me. I swore not to have a dog again because of the pain of losing my girl of 13 years. To think of having that, but only after like 5 to 8. It's a hard choice.
@doubleomaestro I lost my pup this last Dec, and it sucks, so I know what you mean..... Although ferrets may only live 5-8 yrs or so..they pack in about 15 years of love, fun and most notably..CHAOS! but a fun chaos, in those short years.
Please tell me how you made that wall tunnel
Great advice……everything you say is so accurate….
Its so Heartbreaking one you lose them❤ They are so special
Personally if my ferret dies within 5-7 years I'll be heart broken but not enough to not get a new one I'll just end up getting another but as a baby like mine
Thank you for all your videos but ive looked at it and to me the pros out weigh the cons. Still thank you so much! 😁
LOL!!!
Muy buen vídeo, el mío lleva 1 mes conmigo en casa y estoy encantada de tenerlo, pero tal como dijiste con relación a la caca, y creo que es por eso que suelen oler mal, porque la gente no tiene mucha higiene con relación a sus pertenencias. Un cordial saludo desde España.
Thank you so much for all the great videos! 😁😁
thank YOU for watching them! You guys are the reason I feel motivated to keep creating
❤😁
Nibbles NEVER cuddled. I did a work around and taught her to perch on my shoulder for treats, that way I could cheat by resting my head against her.
Can you give us links to the books please?
and also have a parrakeet
i really want a ferrett but I need to wait to move out before I can get one, and I want cats, and lots more animals.
my house is going to be like a zoo
@The Modern Ferret
Hi, I also have Ferrets since many years. At the moment I have 5 of the little devils. They are 100% free in our house and have around the year free access to our balcony with a Sandbox, Earth box, swimming pool and many pipes for playing. Having Ferrets 100% free, they become very relaxed like a cat. I would only recommend a cage as a place where they decide to go in.
Another interesting information I learned is that If you know someone that has problems with mice, rats or other rodents, ferret poop with water is the best. The rodents will leave very fast. Many people are getting ferret poop from us and say all said it's the best. Maybe you can try it too ;)
What type of tubing do you have on your wall?
Do another video with both pros and cons, make it like 30 minutes long. PERFECT
I’ve had five verts in my lifetime now that I’ve been my 60s I’d have a house full of them if I could they make a great companion to my cats they don’t fully understand them but they love to play with them
thank you!!!🥰💌
Lol, I'm not sure we really want 1 as we now have 7 of the carpet sharks, thanks for teaching people about the little thieves ❤️
I rent a plot of land, in the countryside, I would make a park for him outside, the interior of the camper van is checked for hiding places or other problems for him, but I could not have a large cage inside and the previous one has scratched the rubber of the windows a lot, that's my big worry.
what would you advise me??
I am ready not to take back a ferret if it is too difficult for me and therefore for him too.
I am waiting for a 1 year old ferret who will already have a cage, used to the harness.
thanks in advance
Where did you get the wall tubes?
What is do you have chicken wire around the cage including cardboard.
I have 2 ferrets. I’ve had them for about 3 months. 1 is awesome, he’s so chill, uses the litter box, leaves everything alone. And I’m pretty sure I hate my second one. Destroys everything even when he’s out to play, shits wherever he wants even on blankets, he’s a non stop asshole and I have no idea how long I’m gonna be able to put up with him
Would this be a good alternative to a dog for multiple day hikes on moorland? Id happily carry it on my pack/shoulders 😊
I work for myself and it could spend 12-18 hours a day around me
Am i the only one that watches these kind of videos while having a ferret for most of my life, just because i m mad at him for steeling my keys?
I’ve already had two. I will get two more eventually.
Rover is amazing for petsitting animals.
I live out in the country, and I'm pretty certain that once a ferret got outside I would rarely see it again.
Do your ferrets potty in the tunnels on your walls? Mine poop every where and on everything. No matter what i try. So, I'm just wondering
Why I just got 1 💔
2 questions
1. If you have rodents in their own room that ferrets would have no access too. Would that still cause stress
2. How do you introduce ferrets to dogs or cats ?
Ferrets have been compagnions of farmers and hunters for ages . verry friendly and loyal animals exept for one tiny thing they can stink as no other , not suprising they are related to the skunk , and otter. also to some what more dangerous animals like the badger and wolverine . but that tells you enough how dangerous they can be to other animals . Its well know farmers used ferrets to root out rabits , musk rat and moles. that dig holes in fields forming a danger to farm animal leggs and vegetables grown .
do you think bathing white ferrets will either make them less yellow in color or turn back to the normal white color
Do u feed kible then? Mine is on raw with bone and it's not runny. But it's a lot lol
I have a female dog already, and I’m thinking of adding another pet to the family. I am 18 years old, and thinking a ferret will be a great addition. And I do have a lot of time to give to my pets
i'd like to ask a question: my ferret (oogie boogie) was acting weird when i held him today, he wasn't biting. he also really likes me, but he made a weird sound while opening his mouth, and his sneezing was really intense. was he sneezing because of my hair? or is something wrong?
I miss Nugget, and her sister Chicken....
Ferrets are complex animals. I loved my furry chaos
if i work 60 hours a week, is that enough time for a ferret?
Oh, insulinoma - poor things will want either a steroid (hydrocortisone or similar) - or worse still, Diazoxide (Proglycem) - which is *REALLY* expensive and tastes *AWFUL.*
I was suspected of having an insulinoma (turned out to be chronic pancreatitis) and needed to take Proglycem for several months - until I became an insulin-dependent diabetic…
will bathing white ferrets either make them less yellow in color or turn back to the normal white color
I've had 8 ferrets over 30 years, and have never bathed any of them. They are self-cleaning like cats.
Hi love your vids! They have helped me so much with my ferret Suki . Recently ive been looking to get another ferret for her to have a friend but I don't know if I should get another girl are if I should get a boy what do u recommend ( Suki is a girl)
Ferrets seem to get ill more than any other pet I've heard of. Do these health problems still crop up this much if you make sure they're very responsibly bred? Because generally I would only expect to see this level of health problems in inbred animals.
Normally when you get ferrets from a responsible breeder, their health tends to be better. But that also comes from keeping up with a great diet/enrichment and everything. But it's important to keep in mind that even privately bred ferrets can also suffer from these exact health problems.
I've had 8 ferrets over 30 years, and luckily, except for one of them, I never had to take any of them to a vet. Most of them only made it to 5-6 years old, partly because my soft heart gives them things to eat that they shouldn't.
@@michaelellringer5600 I find it very interesting that you had so many ferrets and so little health issues. 😮
im currently gathering all the important informations to be ready to get a ferret.
In that case you mean you never took your ferrets to vet even for check ups right?
What kind of food you gave them and did you get them from a professional breeder or other?
Also in what kind of space were they leaving?
Im trying to understand if all those diseases are maybe mainly related to bad breeding and unhealthy lifestyles. 🤔
Would greatly appreciate to know more about your personal experience with ferrets ☺️
@@yongsunmi1308 Andrenal issues are not un common with ferrets, they can now do implant to lengthen their lives. I've never owned a cage, they free roam my house, but make sure your house is ferret proofed so they can't get out. I take my ferret for 6-10 blocks walks every night and I even take my ferret to the bars with me, and if you do that, you may become the headliners of the bar. I find female ferrets to be more hyperactive than male ferrets and I've had better luck walking my male ferrets than female ferrets. Ferrets are heat sensitive, so in the hot summers here in Tucson, I walk my ferret in the coolest part of the night, around 3am. If you A/C goes out in summer, you may have to go to a motel until its fixed as they'll die in the heat.
@@michaelellringer5600 Thank you so much for all the precious advice! And I had no idea that ferrets are so sensitive to heat, that's really good information to have🙏
#themodernferret I have a question for you. My wife and I are going to be getting a ferret soon and we want to know a bit more about feeding them. Lots of videos say that ferret kibble is trash and some cat kibbles are better. They also say that raw and whole pray is best. What I can't find is how much mice to feed them and if I can feed both cat kibbles and mice to make sure they get enough to eat.
rabbits/bunnies should be on top of the list of animals that ferrets don't get along with, they are natural enemies. ferrets can bite so hard, because they were bread for and used to reduce the rabbit population in europe. while rabbits are bigger than ferrets, a ferret will not let go of its prey.
Hi Haley, I was wondering, since I have a job what should I do with my ferret while I am away. I know they need constant playtime and don't know what to do.
Ferrets can nap a lot of the day, as long as they're still getting a good 4-6 hrs of attention before or after work and of course plenty of time on days off you should be fine
If yhey get so often why are they allowed to be a pet?
If they get sick*
Shhh I still want a ferret
lol it's hard to fight, I agree
Too late. i have two.
Hey! So how do you keep your ferret from wanting to go into places? Mine wants to go into the garage and it’s dangerous in there. We have a cat door that he’s trying to scratch through
I have two little critters and there is no way to keep them from wanting to get into places; it's there nature, lol! One or both will come running if I ever open the garage door. I always always put up a sign so others in the house know to be cautious when my two are about (which is a lot).When I need to go to the garage, I'll start to open it, then I pause and look around and will scoop them up if need be. But it's been a real good way to get them to come out of hiding, lol. I don't have a cat door but if I did I'd sure fasten it shut, there is no way I'd want my little ferrins in there! They are very good at figuring things out so you just have to constantly be aware of where they are! Good luck Cate!
Leave the ferrets to the huntsmen
to be fair I don't think there's any animal that would be okay being lock up in a cage 24/7 with the same toys forever. xD
Ferrets are definitely not for me.
Poop shouldn't be runny,and the pee smells,not the poop
My ferret likes to hide dog food under the couch
💚💜🤎🖤💙🧡💛
thanks for the support