by Gabrielle Schrader

Created on: February 16, 2009   Last Updated: March 06, 2009

When deciding whether or not a ferret is a good pet for you, you must consider your own personality and lifestyle. A common example is the distinction between cat and dog lovers. I love both and have owned both. Cats tend to be more independent and although lovey, like to be left alone. Dogs are generally more clingy and can go outside on walks as well as travel better. Cats require less care and dogs require more. Ferrets are not dogs or cats but they come with their own personality quips and these should be taken into consideration if you are thinking about owning a ferret.

Ferrets are full of energy, good at escaping, lovable and independent. They are more like cats but require much more attention as they can be very destructive if left alone for long periods at a time. A ferret will definitely provide you with a lot of laughter as they hop around and bare their little teeth.

If you have children, ferrets may not be the best option as a pet, especially if the ferret would be the first pet you had owned or your children had lived with. Young ferrets, under a year especially, will nip and may even bite people. A child may yank their hand back if nipped and this will lead to the ferret biting the child. Nasty wounds are left on your child and you may wish to get rid of the ferret immediately. This is not a good situation to put yourself and your child in if you know your child cannot be taught to slowly dislodge their fingers and not to continually cradle the ferret. Adults usually understand this better than children. However if your child is over twelve and can be patient with animals as well as gentle, a ferret may be a great addition to your family. Or if you are still concerned, you could adopt an older ferret from a rescue who has already learned not to bite and will have slightly less energy thus remaining more calm around your family.

Ferrets make wonderful pets and will surely provide you with many laughs and smiles. The biggest decision when deciding if a ferret will make a good pet for you...is to consider your family and its personality type. To figure out what your family can understand and how responsible they will be. If you can be understanding and patient, a ferret will offer love, laughs and smiles as well as a few torn up pillows. You also have to think about the long-term and if the ferret will still be fun despite its faults in a few years. You do not want to purchase a ferret and have it either destroy your home or hurt your children and simply toss it out. You must be understanding of the ferret's development and intend to support it long-term. Although they require good care, ferrets are wonderful pets and make great companions.

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