Ferrets

I think they're a better pet for a child than something like a rabbit or a guinea pig. as rabbits and guineas tend to be quite nervous and often bite or scratch through fear. also ferrets are sturdier and more interactive, so great playmates. they can bite, but I find much less so than more nervous animals. on the whole they come out as pretty fantastic animals to grow up around. I used to spend hours playing with our ferrets. we'd put them in the conservatory, which was pretty ferret proof and give them toys and tunnels and try and sweep them up with brooms, which they loved. they'd chuck at you, bounce away, then come chargeing back at the broom for another go.

Yes I think children should have one..providing they are old enough. They should be able to research the needs of a ferret and learn about them before hand. They should be responsible enough to take proper care of the ferret. Able to earn money for the support of the ferret. The parents should be prepared to take the ferret to the Vet for checkups, shots and possible medications and/or surguries down the line. The parents should be prepared to buy required food and supplements if the child is unable. The parents should also be prepared to take care of the ferret if the child is not. After all those needs are met..sure ferrets are great pets for kids.

We had a pet ferret when our children were younger and just loved it. That has been a long time ago now, though, so I can't remember what problems there might have been in using or not using a litter box. My kids are 35 and 31, so I just can't remember. We really loved having the ferret, though.

No. Ferrets are a big responsibility. They aren't like cats or dogs. They are not easy to train and they do bite. I had two at one time and I got so tired of cleaning up after them we had to get rid of them. They are cute, but they smell. People say you can litter train them, but I could never get them to use the litter box.

I've read what the other posters have had to say, and IMHO it really depends on the individual ferret and the individual child. Some children love ferrets and benefit from them greatly. I remember a discussion on a ferret mailing list I used to belong to about an 8 year old autistic boy whose relationship with his ferret really brought him out of his shell. The ferret was an excellent therapy animal. BUT, ferrets differ widely in temperament and personality, and kids do too! Extremely young children and kids who are developmentally delayed should, I think, *always* have only *supervised* contact with any animal, not just ferrets. And some ferrets do bite in the context of play. They have to be nip-trained, just like cats do. They're no different from cats in that respect. So, basically, ferrets+children might work, and it might not. It just depends on the mix of personalities of both ferret(s) and kids(s).

The age is the key here. If a child of age 2 has a pet ferret, then obviously it is too large a responsibility, especially if the parents do not help. I myself have two pets, which I fed every night, clean out once a week, and get them out for half an hour every second day for exercise (turtles). Therefor, I would say I am capable of looking after my own pets. Most children above age 10 would be able to look after a ferret completly by themseleves. Anything below that and a parent would be doing most of the work.

Ferrets can be great pets, my mom and her boyfriend have one and she is just super. Her name is Alice. I would only caution buying one for younger kids as Ferrets are quite fragile and a young child who may not know their own strength may severely hurt or kill it. My daughter is 5 and she treats it well, as long as she isn't hyper around it and takes care, I don't mind my mother letting it out while we're there. So far, so good. I think 5-6 is about the right age... you haven't specified how old your children are or even if they're your children... but I think that's a good age for a normal child to have a Ferret. Just make sure you get all vaccinations and have the thing spayed/neutered and have it's odour glands removed unless you like an animal with a fould smell. You might as well have a skunk, then ;)