Looking for a cage

[aaronsmith]

Hello all. I've been on FLSAC website so much in the last seven months, and I've just realized there is a forum. I am looking for a cage that is 20'' in depth by roughly 36'' long. (height does not matter) I'm having a lot of trouble finding one this size. Ferret nation cage is just to deep for where we decided to put our little creature. If anyone has any idea where I could find this, please post me a link. If anyone has a cage they no longer need, or wish to sell, I would be very interested. Thanks for your time.

[aaronsmith]

I can be reached at 405-2726

[Tressie]

Hi,

Welcome to the message board!!

Couple of questions? You didn't give an area code, our site covers all of Atlantic Canada.

Where are you located?

By "creature" do you mean a ferret? Are you looking for a cage that size for a ferret? Do you already have a Ferret Nation cage that you are looking to replace?

Tressie

[aaronsmith]

Thank you! I'm really enjoying reading other peoples thoughts and experiences with ferrets, I've even learned some new things, and I think this forum will definally be a good resource for myself and my family when we finally get out little fella. Sorry about the confusion Tressie, by little creature I do mean a ferret. I am just in the proces of getting everything that he or she is going to need when he/she comes here. My area code is (902). I am located in Halifax, but I'm having so much trouble finding a cage this size that I do not mine travelling. I do not have a ferret nation cage to replace. We were going to buy it, but its just a little too big one way for where we have planned to put out Ferret. Since I'm on a rant here, anyone have any cute names for him/her. My other half has forbidden me from calling him Peter, says its a human name, however her dog's name growing up was Abby.

[Tressie]

Hi Aaron,

This is going to sound strange but people who have had ferrets longer than I have counselled me that the ferret gives you his/her name. I can't explain it, but its true.

I sometimes go through several names addressing the ferret by each name until one name resonates for the ferret. Typically the ferret will stop and look at you almost as if saying "Yes?"

Bottom line you don't really choose the name - the ferret already has one, the key is to figure what it is. It may be that "Peter" is the name whether humans approve of it or not. Could also be a derivative of Peter (Petey, Pete, etc.); or Peter in a different language e.g, Pierre, Pietro, Petros, Petrov, etc. "Peter" is derived from Petros, Greek for rock or stone. Its also derived from Aramaic Cephas also meaning stone.

Think about what 'rock' or 'stone' conceptually mean e.g., solid, foundation, earth child, etc.

A name carries much more to it than a label. What is this ferret's personality like? What does he make you feel like when he's with you? Does the name sound right, somehow fitting or is there a jarring disconnect? You know how sometimes a person thinks "Gosh he doesn't seem like a 'Pete' but more like a 'George.' What qualities do you want to encourage in your ferret?

And I bet you thought it was just a name

20" depth for a cage is a bit too small for a ferret, they need lots of floor space, not so much height. The general recommendation is a minimum of 24" depth, 36" width. Have you considered maybe putting the cage somewhere else or allowing it to protrude more into the room than you'd prefer? What sort of space is it, i.e., between bookcases, a nook in the room, etc.?

Tressie

[airy]

Hi Aaron, Congrats on getting a new ferret..when you do . Will this be your first or have you had a ferret before??

As for names, This site may be helpful..

www.weaselwords.com/page/ferret_names.php

I personally like epic sounding names, I tend to name my ferrets and other pets after ancient gods, mythical beings, historical figures etc..Funny thing I never stick with those names, My ferret Pandora is rarely called that, I mostly refer to her as Pan Pan or Pander, My Loki I normally call Loki-Lo or Lokers and Eris I always call Airy Eris or just Airy, I never planned it, it just kind of happened that way, I think certain names tend to just adapt themselves over a period of time, but I must also agree with Tressie, I think ferrets already have their own names, they have such a strong sense of character/personality..how could they not??

As for Peter, Its still a cute name, I had a rabbit growing up with that name and if I can remember correctly, I think someone here just got a ferret with that name..not too sure now though.

[aaronsmith]

Oh dear, it feels nice to sit down at the computer for a few minutes and have a break. We were in way over our heads for the past few days. We always wanted one ferret, then we found a ferret and a cage online for an amazing price, the only catch was...... there were two. A handsom boy and a beautiful girl. We went and met the two of them, it was love at first sight. Now I must say as a new ferret parent, there is no amount of research that can prepare anyone for owning a ferret, I'm learning new things everyday from them. I just got finished putting toys in all the corners so that they will poop in the proper corner(I had to make two now) for once! They are both about a year old, but were never really trained propertly. so hopefully its not to late. I have trained them to enjoy putting their harnesses on. Quite proud of both of them. Looking forward to giving them a bath later tonight. We were told from the previous owners that they enjoy bath time, but I doubt it. I'll keep everyone updated whenever I can, which doesn't seem to be too often because of the little ones. ps. We've named them Bella and Bandit. quite suiting for both of them I believe.

[Tressie]

Congratulations on your new babies!

OK some things to be realistic about.

Ferrets poop in corners - period. Putting toys in the corners will get you poopy toys. Best thing is to put down puppy pads or newspapers in the corners they have chosen to poop in. This is not a negotiable item. They choose where they will poop, its up to you to accommodate their preferences.

Males are generally better at using litter boxes/puppy pads outside of the cage. But some ferrets simply poop anywhere and everywhere and sometimes in their litter box/puppy pad. Buy a box of baby wipes and clean it up as soon as it happens and don't stress about it. Ferret poop is pretty teeny.

Most ferrets are pretty good about pooping in their litter boxes INSIDE their cages once trained - but if you get 100% success rate outside of their cage - you've found a miraculous little fuzzbutt. Outside of their cage its 50/50. Don't drive yourself nuts if they don't hit the target 100% of the time because its a futile exercise.

They shouldn't be bathed more than once or twice a year unless they get into something like a flower pot. Bathing more often will cause their oil glands to secrete more oil. Swim time in hotter weather is fine - just skip the shampoo, which they don't need.

If you want fresh smelling ferrets wash their bedding at least once a week otherwise the oils from their fur gets onto the fabric and as all oil left to the air - it goes rancid. The rancid smell is deposited back onto the fur - ergo smelly ferret. I'm not referring to their natural healthy musky scent but the smell of old dirty socks, which is the smell of rancid oil.

Trust me - 2 ferrets are infinitely easier than 1. They entertain one another, keep each other company when you aren't home, don't get lonely or bored as easily as a single ferret and in general are happier. Problem comes when one dies and the other one grieves - hence a lot of people eventually get 3.

One never stops learning about ferrets - it is a lifelong process.

Don't hesitate to post here if you have questions - we've all been there. There's a wealth of experience and knowledge on this board.

Tressie

PS - don't forget that all important veterinary health check as soon as possible. Unless you were provided with current health records, especially if you bought them from someone privately they should be checked by a ferret knowledgeable vet. They may have ear mites, which are extremely common in ferrets or other health issues like dental problems i.e, broken tooth, gum disease, etc.

If you are planning on taking them outside i.e., harnesses, they should have their Distemper vaccination since distemper is 100% fatal in ferrets and can be picked up from the grass or ground where an infected animal walked. Make sure it is the correct distemper vaccine specifically for ferrets - there is only one kind that is approved for use in ferrets (i.e, Purevax- D by Merial). However, if you go to a ferret knowledgeable vet he/she will know that. Remind the vet to pre-treat with benadryl to reduce risk of anaphylaxis.

And don't leave the harnesses on all the time. I know some people do but it is a dangerous practice because the harness can easily get caught on something. It also wears the fur away if left on all the time.

[airy]

Well Aaron, Congrats on your new ferrets!! So happy to hear you found some, Love the names Bella and Bandit..Is Bandit a masked ferret by any chance??

Tressie is right about the two or three being better than one, I say this because when I just had Pandora, I could really sense a loneliness in her, although I gave her lots and lots of attention and played with her as if I was a ferret myself, it was clear for me to see that she also needed a animal companion because she would attempt to play with my cat and in return he would swat her away or just ignore her, My heart broke for Pandora and that is why I went out and got my second ferret, Loki. Soon as Loki arrived I could just sense the joy and happiness in her right away, as with Loki, he was equally thrilled with his new sister and they were BFF from the very beginning. I am no ferret expert, like you I have a lot more to learn, but I would never suggest keeping a ferret solo. Its a really lonely existence for such a social creature. And also like Tressie said, three would be ideal just for the reason she said, if one should pass away, there is still another to keep the remaining ferret company, Im sure it does not take away the pain of losing the companion, but im sure the pain of losing it's beloved friend would be more devastating to have to grieve alone, then agian 3 ferrets are more costly because there are extra vet bills to worry about and it adds up, this is the reason why I will have no more than 3, Maintenance and food is affordable, but then you have the vaccinations and vet checks, if god forbid one should get sick and require medication/surgery etc, its gonna be costly, Especially if all three are sick at the same time . if I should ever get a better paying job and am able to expand my vet funds, I would consider a fourth..and now I am ranting and babbling on again again lol

[Johnny and Demon]

Its true for the two ferrets or more .. when I got Johnny, Demon was hating him ! lol but after a month, I knew he likes him but he doesn't really want to admit it lol. see .. Demon is a very special ferret ! lol But whatever how many times he push Johnny out of his bed, no matter how often he is hissing to Johnny because the little one is playing with HIS toys, Demon always returns to Johnny for more fight games They love each others; they are like brothers