Pets

[Lol1]

I don't expect much of an answer from this question, this being a caravan forum. However, it's free and you never know! So here goes, do any of you out there keep ferrets (furry type)? Do you take them with you on your holidays and how much care do they need?

Like I said, not hoping for a lot from this one, but is it that unusual?

 

[BrianStAlbans]

Lol, I had a pet ferret when I was a boy ,and still have the scar on my finger to prove it.Best story was when it escaped and was missing for hours. We found him when a womans screems were heared from the house next door.She was putting her rubbish into the peddle bin by her back door when ....you guessed it .. I can remember my parents giving me a good telling off while trying not to fall about laughing...Brian

 

[Viking1]

http://www.modernferret.com/
http://www.ferretstore.com/
http://www.ferretstore.com/mw-142.html
LoI

Sorry Lo{pipe delimiter} never had one but did a search on the net and came up with these sits.

I like the cage on the last one it mite be a bit big for the caravan.

I head that they are good for getting rabbits. So that mite save you money went your away.

Mark

 

[LMH]

Lol

I hope this is a serious question. My daughter has one pole cat and one ferret. They are extremely friendly, much better than rabbits.

They are housed in a block of six rabbit hutches, made into one on two levels. They are better off kept in pairs (either two males or two females), you should have them neutered. They are relatively easy to keep. They need plenty of toys to keep them occupied, a nice warm bed (we use a cat house type bed). They are fed on a ferret mix and like the odd raw egg (in its shell). They like carrots, cat food (not too much though), buttered toast, will drink milk. It's best to feed them twice a day.

You can even buy a harness and walk them round the garden.

They are bedded on shavings. Now the bad bit. They will smell if you don't remove soiled bedding each day. (It's the urnine that smells).

I really thought I wouldn't like them as I have heard horror stories of people being bitten but I have to say, they are great pets. (They must be handled each day though).

We don't take them away with us on hols as we have numerous pets so we get someone in to look after all of them.

Hope this helps, any queries, let me know.

Lisa.

 

[BigRoy]

Lol you're not thinking of performing the ferret down the trouser sketch for the meet are you?

It makes my eyes water just thinking about it.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Lol you're not thinking of performing the ferret down the trouser sketch for the meet are you?

It makes my eyes water just thinking about it.

Rather put a ferret down my trousers than a squirrel. Squirrels love nuts :OI

 

[Viking1]

Lol

I hope this is a serious question. My daughter has one pole cat and one ferret. They are extremely friendly, much better than rabbits.

They are housed in a block of six rabbit hutches, made into one on two levels. They are better off kept in pairs (either two males or two females), you should have them neutered. They are relatively easy to keep. They need plenty of toys to keep them occupied, a nice warm bed (we use a cat house type bed). They are fed on a ferret mix and like the odd raw egg (in its shell). They like carrots, cat food (not too much though), buttered toast, will drink milk. It's best to feed them twice a day.

You can even buy a harness and walk them round the garden.

They are bedded on shavings. Now the bad bit. They will smell if you don't remove soiled bedding each day. (It's the urnine that smells).

I really thought I wouldn't like them as I have heard horror stories of people being bitten but I have to say, they are great pets. (They must be handled each day though).

We don't take them away with us on hols as we have numerous pets so we get someone in to look after all of them.

Hope this helps, any queries, let me know.

Lisa.

Lisa

how are you geting on with the cooking?

MARK

 

[Lol1]

Lol you're not thinking of performing the ferret down the trouser sketch for the meet are you?

It makes my eyes water just thinking about it.

That would be a great party trick Roy, I might consider it now...hehehe

 

[Lol1]

Thanks all for the advice and tips. Lisa I am quite serious about getting a ferret, I have been considering it for some time, but due to the nature of our dog, have not been able to go forward with it. The one thing that has put me off is the smell I keep hearing about, we (have to include the missus in this) wouldn't want to house them indoors if the smell is bad, and have read somewhere that they don't do so well outside during winter. Being tied down with getting someone in to feed them when away is another problem, so I wondered if they are suitable to go vanning with, I imagine it would be quite a good conversation starter, walking the ferrets. We once had a chinchilla for a pet, but it quickly started to eat all the wood in the house, are there any problems with ferrets like that?

 

[BigRoy]

Thanks all for the advice and tips. Lisa I am quite serious about getting a ferret, I have been considering it for some time, but due to the nature of our dog, have not been able to go forward with it. The one thing that has put me off is the smell I keep hearing about, we (have to include the missus in this) wouldn't want to house them indoors if the smell is bad, and have read somewhere that they don't do so well outside during winter. Being tied down with getting someone in to feed them when away is another problem, so I wondered if they are suitable to go vanning with, I imagine it would be quite a good conversation starter, walking the ferrets. We once had a chinchilla for a pet, but it quickly started to eat all the wood in the house, are there any problems with ferrets like that?

Don't worry about the ferrets Lol they'll soon get used to the smell if you bring them indoors ;o)

 

[Lol1]

Don't worry about the ferrets Lol they'll soon get used to the smell if you bring them indoors ;o)

Thanks Roy, I think!

 

[LMH]

Hi Lol

Not sure what you mean about the nature of your dog. It can't be any worse than mine (X staffie with the emphasis on cross). She is quite well trained though, however if she could get in the ferrets house, she would, it's all about management, command the dog to do as it's told, it'll soon get the message (reward based training).

I think the ferrets will be fine outside as long as they are housed in a draught and waterproof hut with good bedding and some sort of bed inside such as a cat house with appropriate bedding (you can get that from the pet shop). Put some heavy tauplin over the wire to further keep out draughts in winter. They do grow a winter coat. If you remove soiled bedding each day, the smell won't be as much a problem. Don't even consider keeping them in the house unless you have a utility room or similar, if you still think they might be cold, you could put their hut in the garage or something.

If you wanted to take them away with you on hols, that shouldn't be a problem. Transport them in a cat or dog carrier, but you'd have to think how you would house them in your awning, I did think about a dog cage but the sawdust would go everywhere. Not sure what vehicle you have but I suppose you could put a small rabbit hutch in the back perhaps?

One point - they are very very lively and they do run up your jumper etc (don't go there please!!). You can walk them out on a harness and lead but have to bear in mind the reaction you might get from dogs. Years ago I was in Yates wine lodge and saw an incident to which some people are referring!

They don't chew the hutch or wood but will chew electric cabling etc.

We got ours from a rescue place in Bulwell, we paid

 

[LMH]

Lol

I hope this is a serious question. My daughter has one pole cat and one ferret. They are extremely friendly, much better than rabbits.

They are housed in a block of six rabbit hutches, made into one on two levels. They are better off kept in pairs (either two males or two females), you should have them neutered. They are relatively easy to keep. They need plenty of toys to keep them occupied, a nice warm bed (we use a cat house type bed). They are fed on a ferret mix and like the odd raw egg (in its shell). They like carrots, cat food (not too much though), buttered toast, will drink milk. It's best to feed them twice a day.

You can even buy a harness and walk them round the garden.

They are bedded on shavings. Now the bad bit. They will smell if you don't remove soiled bedding each day. (It's the urnine that smells).

I really thought I wouldn't like them as I have heard horror stories of people being bitten but I have to say, they are great pets. (They must be handled each day though).

We don't take them away with us on hols as we have numerous pets so we get someone in to look after all of them.

Hope this helps, any queries, let me know.

Lisa.

Hi Mark

I've been really busy this week so I haven't managed to bake another batch. I might give it another go tomorrow. I'll let you know.

p.s. Been in Grantham all day and had the most awful mince pie I have ever had in my life at an event I've been too!

Lisa.

 

[Tony A.]

LOL never owned a ferret but looked after my mates for two weeks once, THEY STINK I could not get rid of the smell. it put me off I can tell you.

Tony A.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

MEDICAL PROBLEMS

STRONG BODY ODOUR - The ferret produces oily secretions on the skin that have a very strong odour in the mature intact male and female. The odour is under the control of sex hormones, so therefore, when your pet is neutered the odour is largely eliminated. There is also an odour associated with the anal glands (or scent glands) of the ferret, but this will not be noticed unless your ferret sprays the material, usually in response to a fearful situation or when extremely excited. Most ferrets do not express their scent glands with any frequency, and if they do, the odour only lasts a few minutes. Therefore, it is unnecessary to remove the scent glands of the ferret unless there is a disease present.

Bathing should be done with a gentle pet shampoo. Ferrets do not need frequent bat}> and every two weeks is the absolute maximum Bathing tends to strip the skin of its essential oils and can lead to a day itchy condition if done too often.

 

[Lol1]

Thank you contributors, I must admit, the "Fors" list is getting longer than the "Againsts" list.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

It certainly would make a talking point if you walked the ferrett around the campsite. I found the same thing with the dogs and Missus. People love stopping you and talking to the dogs and giving the Missus a pat on the head (I do draw a line at them stroking her though).