Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with ferrets

Hobby for Hire

melangell — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:58:07 -0800

How does one get started as an animal trainer for domestic animals? (more inside) I am a ferret enthusiast and really enjoy working with and training ferrets. I have had a lot of success with bite training, shoulder training, potty training, and generally making good pets out of stubborn, bitey ferrets. Ferrets are now the third most popular pet in the nation and I am thinking that there must be some money to be made in working with ferrets whose owners do not have the time, energy, or patience that it can take to transform a "wild" ferret into a "lovey" ferret. The problem is that I have no idea how to start making money at this. Any suggestions?

What is this purple nylon sleeve-thingy with chains on it?

jumble — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 14:10:51 -0800

What is this purple nylon sleeve-thingy with chains on it? Here's a picture. It was dug out of someone's attic for a rummage sale and no one bought it because no one knew what it was. Lots of creative guesses, though.

So I wanna get a ferret.

kzin602 — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 22:00:42 -0800

So I wanna get a ferret. Am I making a mistake? Should I get a kitten instead? I read the previous askMefi question about Ferrets as pets and got a broad range of experiences both positive and negative. But wanted to know of there were any other experences since then. Also: Some information on my current situation.

I live in a 800 square foot apartment, I like a clean home and I've lived with a cat before and know how to keep a litterbox clean enough to not have any cat smell in the place. I can handle the normal "aura" that a litterbox has around it with normal cleaning.
How does a ferret compare?
I can ferret proof the apartment and provide the ample supervision love, affection, vetbills, etc... but my main concern is smell, my apartment is carpeted for the most part, and while I can handle an occasional "oops" I don't want to have to clean up poop every day, or more often than once a week or so.

From what I understand the natural ambient smell of a ferret is okay as long as you clean the bedding and cage on a regular basis.

Will I need a litterbox in every corner of the room? Can I expect the ferret to run into the next room to use the box, or in order to use a box does the animal need to actually see a box nearby in order for the "i need you use a box" thought to cross it's brain.

Oh yea.. Breeder or petstore? Are males more affectionate than females? Thanks for your responces, most information I look up on the internet is written by people that are so "pro-ferret" that it comes across as more of a sales pitch than honest information.