Ferrets and Other Pets

Ferrets and the other pets in your household can get along really well together. It has been said that you shouldn’t have ferrets and dogs like terriers in the same room, because a terrier, with its hunting instinct, might think a ferret is a rat or rabbit and kill it.

Yes, it’s true that some breeds might not get on with ferrets. However please understand that every dog is an individual, just like every ferret (or cat, or any other animal for that matter) is.

I've heard of greyhounds, certain terrier breeds and malamutes killing ferrets in the same household. I've also heard of a German Shepherd killing a ferret when it came up to the dog's food dish - and this was a dog who was used to the ferrets.

However we have a German Shepherd and she is gentle and completely tolerant of our ferrets’ ridiculous behavior.

The moment I put food in her dish, a couple of the ferrets think it’s time to play 'dig and scatter' with her kibble. The dog stands there quietly until the ferrets get bored and once they go away, she starts eating her dinner. Not once have I seen her bare her teeth or curl her lip in a warning at such childish games!

I’ve also heard of people who’ve introduced a new ferret to their terrier breed, like a Jack Russell, and those two have become fast friends.

I guess it’s how you introduce your dog to your ferret and it’s also important for all the animals in your family to know that you don’t favor one over another.

If the ferret is chasing the cat or dog, you will intervene.

If your cat or dog is hassling your ferret, you will be there to stop it.

That way all the animals feel they are being treated equally and that you’re their champion!

However if you have birds and rodents as pets, you might want to rethink the idea of getting a ferret, as they really aren't compatible. In fact, the ferret would probably kill either the bird or the rodent if it got the chance!

As I've said before, use common sense when introducing a new pet. Until you're certain that your dog, or cat, or both, are comfortable with the new addition, don't leave them unsupervised.

Make sure your dog doesn't get irritated with the new addition and snap. Cats usually jump up out of the way but remember, they have claws ... so make sure they don't slash them in your ferret's direction!

We have been so lucky when introducing new members of the family and it's easy to get complacent and that's something you can't afford to do with ferrets.

Most of them are ridiculously fearless (Mulder being the exception .. if he had a thumb he would have been sitting there sucking it. He was wonderful, but such a wuss!) and some have no fear of big dogs or puffed-out cats.

In fact, they sometimes think it's a challenge ... as the macho Aussie male says, "You wanna go, mate? You wanna go?" as they thrust their chins out and paw the floor like a bad tempered emu!

For you Americans out there, I guess it would equate to the term "Bring 'em on!"

Anyhoo (as my kids say), when everyone around is full of the milk of human kindness, it's great to see how they cosy up to and actual enjoy each other's company!

When we first got Dukey (the kitten), he was so wrapped with the ferrets he thought he was actually one of them! He'd run through their pipes and try to be with them at all time. I guess he sussed out the fact that, despite their ages, ferrets are all kittens at heart!

Here he is enjoying a snooze with Friskie on Philip's lap.

Here he is snoozing with Mulder, our BEW boy.

And Dukey was also very fond of cuddling Jake, who was one of our kits.

This is Dhabi, my Abyssinian, sharing the smoothy with the ferrets and I must say I usually had to shoo him away as he licked up more than his fair share of the drink, which meant there's not much left for the ferrets!

Mulder used to love chewing on Dhabi when he was a kit ...

... and they remained best of buddies when Mulder grew up too!

Sadly he had to be put down when he was 11 because of bad arthritis. However he did share some tender moments with the ferrets before he got old and decrepit!

He also used to enjoy going for walks around Lake Carine and one day we took Mash and Friskie for a trot as well. No harnesses, just a squeaky toy, but I would not suggest anyone copies that. We knew our ferrets wouldn't stray and were prepared to pick them up if we encountered another animal but there's a very real chance your ferret could run away or get chased by a dog.

I must say we were all terribly upset when Boris had to be put down.

Neither Philip nor I were keen on another dog until Danielle, our youngest daughter, told us that her youth pastor was looking for a home for their 2nd German Shepherd.

You know the story .. "Daddy, I PROMISE I will take the dog out for a walk every single day, honestly! Please can we have another dog, please, please, please?"

We were suckered in good and proper!

Bonnie, the German Shepherd arrived, and once she had chased 2 of our cats up a tree and got a scratched nose from my Abyssinian, Dhabi, it was time to meet ... no, not the Fockers, but the Ferrets

Enter CJ .. stage right.

Nose to nose .. who smells worse, I wonder?

Bonnie, Kaos and Snoopy getting to know one another!

"Gnaw gnaw - how can I chew this wretched dog's foot off, mmmm?"

"Hrump, maybe I can bite her on her bottom, instead!"

"C'mon Kaos, think! What trouble can we make for this interloper?"

However Muis loves cuddling Bonnie.

While Kaos likes to go where cats think they are safe, like on top of the wardrobe. (I never did figure out how she managed that!!)

And young Milo just will not allow Bonnie to chew on her kong. If he sees it in her mouth, he just waddles right up to her to snatch it from her jaws!

The following collection of photos show Muis and Bonnie "bonding" and at the end, Muis was so exhausted from all the antics, she fell asleep! Crazy little ferret!

So as you can see, ferrets can live harmoniously with dogs and cats in the house.

Just be very sensible about introducing a new animal to the older ones, don't leave them unsupervised, until you know they're all comfortable with each other, and make sure neither the ferret, nor the dog or cat, are being unfairly "picked on" by the others.

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