starting wilth one or two?

[cailynne]

Hi All,

I was wondering if I should start out with one ferret or two.....my kids would love two
But I would like to know if 2 is a better starting point than one.
If they are anything like my dogs, I got my 2nd to pal around with my 1st dog so they could play like dogs do...wrestle,open mouth face biting..racing around, stuff like that.
Getting 2 kinda makes sense, cause I can't play like a ferret..or a cat..or a dog. And then I wonder how I got so many animals

Thanks Again!
Lisa

[Heather]

There are many of us have more than one. I think they enjoy each others company and they are awesome foils for each other when they're playing with their human slaves. Just one plea. Don't fall into the trap that they "need" each other. They don't, they need you ..... the human part of the equation. Ferrets can and do go ok solo. They're a lot of work. I have one boy and one girl right now who fly totally solo. They're happy that way (they can't stand each other, much is the pity). In both cases their cage mates are gone. Neither want anything to do with anyone else that I have here (there are 13 to choose from : They are quite happy playing and wandering around the house on their own. They love interacting with us and playing with toys. See that's the big thing. They need us to thrive, they can have all the little playmates in the world but the piece that they need most is you. They're not like most cats, they love it if you watch and play with them. They will do anything to make you laugh and they will laugh right with you with soft little haha's and chuckling sounds.
You will have to make the choice regarding one or two, the truth....who's going to look after the little ones....better decide if "you" want the job because no matter how responsible or old those children are you're the one that's going to be looking after the little sods .
ciao

[sherrylynne]

Agreed! And if you've not had ferrets before, try to find a nearby shelter. They can set you up with a bonded pair, if that's what you want, who are already bite trained, as well as potty trained
With the pet store kits- you'd have to do both!

[katt]

Start with 2. Take it from someone who started with 1. An only ferrets is SO much work! (Not that all ferrets aren't a lot of work! haha). AN only ferret demands MORE time, MORE attention, MORE toys, MORE stimulation and enrichment, entertainment....yeah. Get 2. There are a lot of perks to having just one - I very much treasure the close bond that I have with my only boy Koda. But just read around for a few of y threads and you will see what I mean about 1 being so much work! haha Having 2 means that they can burn off some energy playing with each other and then come snuggle with you when they get tired. It will also give them a friend to snuggle and play with when you are not at home. Welcome to the forum and please explore around and read as much as you can. There is never an end to learning with these little guys. Ask as many questions as you want and everyone will give you the best answers we have!

[horse656]

i agree with katt. two is definitely better. "AN only ferret demands MORE time, MORE attention, MORE toys, MORE stimulation and enrichment, entertainment". which is all true.
i miss the bond i had with my first boy. i got him as an only and i had an amazing bond with him, which i miss so much.
now that i have two they wrestle each other and tire each other out, and keep themselves company when I'm not at home to let them out and play.

[amylou]

Welcome! I am new here too so I can't give you any advice from personal experience so......yeah what they all said!