Anybody Kept A Ferret For A Pet?

[trt]

According to some websites, they make good pets, and companions for children and elderly people.

[hc4361]

I don't keep a ferret but they are not particularly easy pets to keep. I wouldn't have said they were suitable pets for either young people or elderly people.

[shoota]

I've only ever known 'working' ferrets but I do know that a lot of people keep them as pets and they do make good ones.
Their claws can be sharp so they need to be kept trimmed and a jill smells nicer than a hob, other than that - go for it!

[Baldric]

http://www.ferret-world.com/ferretsaspets.html

[woofgang]

I know someone who does ferret rescue. She says they make lovely pets (and I have met ferrets who were lovely and friendly) but they are specialist in nature, need careful handling and raising and there are the same kind of breeding problems, from people breeding to make a quick buck, as there are in dogs. I would suggest finding a local club or rescue and investigating further before going ahead. I would have said they are not suitable pets for children and an older person should be ready for a similar amount of hard work and care that it takes to keep a dog or a parrot.

[Chipchopper]

There is an amusing (for some) tv clip what they show every once and a while for family entertainment.
A guest is invited to to bring his pet ferret onto the show to explain a bit about them, he hands the ferret over to the presenter to handle (live tv) and it promptly sinks its teeth into his finger.
The clearly embarrassed keeper, then remarks " he's playing with you, if he really wanted to hurt you, he would bite your finger right off"
As you can imagine, this wasn't much comfort to the presenter, who was screaming in agony.
After seeing that bit of footage from the 70s possibly, I think, well maybe not for very young children.

[hc4361]

[mrs_overall]

I have a friend who breeds ferrets and from what I have seen of them they can be vicious little blighters. I wouldn't let one near a child.

[hc4361]

Thank link doesn't seem to work but it was Richard Whitely on Calendar that got bit by the ferret

[hc4361]

You can keep them down your trousers, apparently

[Prudie]

Fancy rats actually make very nice pets if handled correctly.

[Chipchopper]

That's the one hc,
Thanks for trying to get a link.
Its quite a funny clip!

[Baldric]

Try this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9xHEj3Gk4Q

[mrs_overall]

Oh I remember that so well!

[hc4361]

I'd prefer a rat to a ferret, far easier to keep

[Chipchopper]

Thanks Baldric.
Unforgettable :-)

[campbellking]

I was out for a morning run when I saw a man taking a ferret for a walk on a lead by the railway station, it looked very happy trotting along.

[ummmm]

My OH used to have one. They stink! Good pets, very friendly but sleep for about 20 hours a day.

[Mags22]

They do smell, aNd if they sink their teeth in will cling on till their Teeth meet, wouldn't recommend one for a child Or elderly person - horrors!

[trt]

Thanks folks, thats put me off.