Ferret Walks

[asyia]

I have tried a few times taking my babies out for a "walk." It's more like a "stand there and try to get into bad things like the gutter drainpipe."

I would like to take them along with me when I walk, but am not sure of the best way. A bag? A ferret stroller? I'm wondering if they will enjoy it, or if it will be more terrifying to be in one of those things. Any ideas?

[Forum Administrator]

You might have to give up on the idea of a "walk" and go with a "walk around in circles and smell everything"

I take my babies outside to a grassy area and just let them waddle around and explore. I keep an eye on them so they dont get into any drain pipes. I always use a harness and leash. I prefer the retractable leashes so they have a bit more room to explore. I ALWAYS scour the landscape for dogs and other animals that may be off leash.

For maximum enrichment and ease I recommend only walking 1 ferret per person. My b/f and I are lucky we take Mizu and Fugue out at the same time and we can each follow one of them around. If I tried to walk them both at once, by myself they'd both be going in opposite directions. De used to love going outside, but no longer likes it at all, so I let her stay inside.

Hope this helps.

[asyia]

The only one that really liked being out in the winter was Buster. Oh the tunneling! My baby girl just tried to climb my legs. lol

[Forum Administrator]

My guys have never seen snow. I wonder what they'll do this year when they see it

[horseyliz]

i just took mocha out to play in the rain. she rewally didn't mind the rain drops at all. her tail got so puffy. when i take my two some ware i bring them in their carrier and leave nilla in the carrier and chase after mocha and then i let nilla out but ussally nilla is the one stuck in the carier mostly because of an injured leg.

[pear2apple]

I can take Apple on walks on the sidewalk for a few minutes before he gets distracted by cars, and then I freak out because obviously I don't want to go anywhere by the street! I used to take him in the backyard but the neighborhood kids go nuts and I feel bad when he ignores them. But normally he walks me and I just keep him away from bushes or pipes.

[luci]

I wish I could take the girls outside more, but it's just too dangerous here. Traffic, dogs, too many places to get into trouble here in the city. I take the cats out for walks on leashes and they love it, but I just don't think I could feel comfortable with the ferrets.

We do take them up to the lake house and let them outside when we're there. There's lots of open space and as long as each of us is assigned to a ferret we can get a hold of them before they get too far away.

Here's a video of them playing in the sprinkler this past summer: www.vimeo.com/1392206

(I see a youtube icon, can we embed youtube vids?)

[squishy506]

I take Bartleby out for walks a lot. It's usually when I am going to work to pick up my paycheck. On the way over, I just hold him in my arms. I've only used a bag to carry him into Walgreens. He usually spends his time trying to escape it.

So, he cuddles in my arms for the half mile walk, and then on the street where I work, I put him down, and he follows the edge of buildings to my work. I know there is a snotty woman who lives on that street who lets her dog run around off-leash, but I have never seen her when I have a ferret. I spend a lot of time just looking behind me and all around for troublesome dogs.

When we get home, he is either pooped or rambunctious.

[Jen]

Ferret walks are a great way to let them burn some energy. Just make sure to use a ferret harness and have it tight enough (but able to slide in a pinky or finger-tip).

Here's Weasel sniffing around outside. He likes digging in soft dirt, running in spurts and trying to go into deep grass (which I won't let him because the leash will get caught). I sometimes/often have to pick him up and set him down in another area (then he can take off again).


Weasel Running (I'll try to catch him digging next time):

[Forum Administrator]

Yes, Luci, you can embed You-tube vids