Rafael WilsonMany of us love animals. It’s hard to imagine a boy who wouldn’t dream of having a big dog at home. And many girls dream of a cat. The ferret has also become a pet of many people. Most have pets without even thinking about their well-being. Of course, it’s great when a ferret runs around the house, a cat purrs comfortably on the sofa, and a dog guards the yard. Unfortunately, in reality, such a beastly paradise will be full of accidents. So, you should know, can ferrets and cats live together?
Do Ferrets and Cats Get Along?
Before deciding to keep these animals together, you should carefully study the experience of other owners and use the advice. You will save a lot of time and nerves. And also, you’ll protect your pets from possible injuries. It is ideal when both animals enter the house as babies and grow together. In this case, cat and ferret are guaranteed to become best friends. And the owner does not have to make much effort for their friendship.
Rules of Joint Keeping
Both animals are slightly selfish as well as jealous. Sometimes jealousy and love for the owner lead to intense struggle and great harm. Therefore, the caretaker needs to balance its interests skillfully. You should avoid vigorous contact between pets. Eventually, the creatures can become friends and show the idyll in the relationship. But at first, diplomacy is necessary. What rules should you follow?
- Gradual, calm introducing ferrets to other pets is necessary under the continuous control of the owner.
- You should often take animals in the arms at the same time. You have to show your adoration and love while stroking them both.
- Animals can be friends and play together. But joint games at the beginning of the acquaintance should take place under the supervision of the owner.
- Arrange the personal territory of each animal: individual litter box, couches, bowls for food, and water. Gradually, they can start using one pot and eat one meal. But such events won’t happen immediately.
- Meals should be at the same time but in different places. In such a way, they will be aware of their importance and independence.
- It is necessary to organize an opportunity for each pet to be alone at any time. The ferret should have a tight hole where the cat will not squeeze. Also, create a high stand for the cat, where only it can climb.
So, how to make ferrets and cats get along? Be careful and observant. In any case, try to make them friends. Be attentive with both animals, and in case of aggression, separate them.
Pros and Cons of Ferrets and Cats Being in One House
Each of the animals has a bright personality. Sometimes, I would be interested to see how such animals get along. I know for sure, if you take two pets of the same young age, they will gradually get used to each other. However, are ferrets and cats living together, if you bring a new pet to the home where another lives?
Often, the experiment of arranging for them to live together can be successful. And sometimes, the owners cannot accurately predict such a situation. In any case, such an attempt will have both pros and cons. I have gathered useful information about the positive and negative way of staying two animals in the same house. Read it in the table, so that you can find out are ferrets related to cats.
- The desire of the owner to create a friendly relationship between animals can sometimes be successful. Pets will become inseparable friends. They will entertain each other.
- It is possible that, over time, pets will be able to use one litter box.
- The animals may have the same food preferences. So, in the case of reconciliation, the owner does not have to cook individually.
- Even with the most favorable schedule, the owner will have to spend a lot of time to make friends from the animals.
- Even friendly pets can show outbursts of aggression towards each other. It means that you won’t be able to leave kittens and ferrets in the same room unattended. This action is too risky for both pets.
- The creature may not become friends, despite all the efforts of the owner. In this case, you will have to keep them away from each other.
Besides, the basis of ferret nutrition should be natural meat and fish products, crumbs, as well as fresh vegetables. You can use dry and wet purchased feed. Cats eat almost the same way. According to research by The Ohio State University, ferrets eat cat food.
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FAQ
Of course, all animals have different characters. Therefore, some ferrets can use the cat's litter box. However, most of them will never go into a cat pot. They are too tidy and don't like the smell of other animals. But several ferrets can visit one toilet.
Do Ferrets Kill Cats (Kittens)?
Ferret is a meat-eating and predatory animal. And although it is quite capable of coexisting with cats, I would not risk. The fact is that the rapid movements of smaller animals provoke the instinct of a predator. It can strangle a kitten just reflexively.
So, yes, a ferret can kill a cat, especially a small kitten. If you decide to have a little kitten with an adult ferret, this idea is objectionable. Unfortunately, the probability of a kitten death, in this case, is very high. The hunter instinct will wake up in the ferret, and it will just bite the baby.
When not to Introduce a Ferret to a Cat?
You don't have to meet two females who have just given birth to their newborn babies. At this time, the animals are too aggressive. Also, I would not recommend showing and introducing animals too close at once. If they have lived in the same apartment since childhood, they can become friends. Otherwise, the acquaintance should be gradual. You must keep the new animal for three to four days separately. Animals need to get used to each other's smells. The optimal duration of the first meeting is 15-20 minutes.
Conclusion
Cats and ferrets are very similar. They are both cute, fluffy creatures that want the owner’s attention. If you breed these animals, you have to give them your time and attention. But each pet has its character and temperament. If your dog or cat is calm towards you, it doesn’t mean that it may not show aggression towards the ferret.
You can see many pictures where ferrets and cats are playing, eating, and basking together. But in reality, this is not always the case. Both animals are predators. Conflicts of interest can escalate into fierce fighting at any time. Many owners keep ferrets in a cage or a separate room. My friend has two animals and allows them to be together only under supervision. So, you need to watch the behavior of your pets for a long time. It will save your nerves and health.
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