In the beginning, even if they like each other, we should limit their playtime to thirty minutes per day. If your dog seems calm, you can remove the leash and let them play together. }()); If you have ever had more than one dog, cat, ferret…you know that each has his own unique personality. Hold the ferret in your arms and give the dog’s leash to another family member. (1) First, do some work training the dog. However, a ferret may see another animal, such as a dog, as an enemy or something to fear. Yes; ferrets generally get along very well with cats. By entering your information, you agree to allow us to contact you in accordance with our privacy policy. Because ferrets are domesticated and incapable of surviving in the wild alone, most dogs have never seen or smelled a ferret before. ADD: When you and your roommates stop living together, who is going to take the dog? I had 2 ferrets, Panda and Tigger. First impressions are important. I was not aware of all the details regarding personal space etc, but it is perfectly understandable and makes a lot of sense. An otherwise easy-going dog can become threatening if he thinks someone is after his dinner. Prancer would jump on Truffles’s back and then fall off as Truffles whipped around to play. Favourite answer. Give the new animal a chance to get used to you and your home before introducing it to … She even ate quickly and returned to her post. This is a big misconception. How ferrets get along with cats and dogs. Ferrets are sly and will find a way to wiggle into your parrot’s cage looking for a tasty meal. From there you can work up to letting them have complete freedom in the same room. They are known to play with one another and enjoy each others company. When ferrets play they give it their all–there’s no holding back! Ferrets require time and attention – several hours of supervised exercise and play each day. If the dog starts growling or ferret starts hissing, immediately take the dog out of the room. They don’t want to share you with another dog, let along with another type of animal. If possible, give them each space to roam without interfering with the other. It’s important to introduce your dog and ferret gradually. Breeds like terriers have a high prey drive and will be likely to chase ferrets, and large dogs may accidentally hurt them during play. Additionally, dogs such as huskies and other similar breeds may have high prey drives as well that would not mesh well with ferrets. Ferrets generally get along with everyone and everything. My one uncle had one of these little creatures and he was always so full of spunk and life! Griffons tend to get along well with other animals in the house, including cats, ferrets, and. The dog’s personality and hunting instinct are the biggest factors. Anonymous. Elizabeth was fixated on Fiona. They are smart, friendly and also sociable. It’s important to be relaxed. Ferrets like to harass each other and other animals. var placement_id = window.CHITIKA.units.length; but it was interesting to read your article about your pet dog and bringing in a ferret into the family home. Adult cats and ferrets also aren’t too dissimilar in size. To have the best success keep the dog’s food away from the ferret, and do not allow dogs and ferrets to play freely together. If your ferret wants to play, he’ll likely start by nipping the dog’s toes. She just butts in, nudges them apart with her snout and even lies down in between them to break up the fight. Ferrets can get along with most cats and dogs, especially if socialized early, but they should always be supervised when together. Do ferrets get along with dogs? Let the dogs and ferrets look at each other and sniff each other from a safe distance. But primarily as a playmate. In general, most dogs will get along just fine with ferrets, but some breeds that were raised for hunting might not be that friendly with a ferret. If that goes well, put the ferret on the ground. The dog breed he chooses reveals key personality traits. It will be difficult to have a husky get along with a ferret because huskies have a high eagerness to chase and catch prey, so it will be a perilous relationship between the two. Use puppy bonding games to strengthen key skills that every pup should have including coming when called and sitting when asked. Large parrots may eat your hamsters, gerbils and lizards. Be sure to feed your dog away from your ferret. Your email address will not be published. […], 4 bonding games you should play with your puppy every day, Your partner’s dog breed reveals secrets about his character, Watch for 5 common small dog health conditions. we thought it was great but we notice the change in his personality towards those new pups. The thing is that the ferret is a wild and predatory animal with certain habits and highly developed instincts. Others could care less. It is the same as if you have a dog and a baby. If a dog is too territorial, he can hurt your ferret if the ferret tries to steal his toys (ferrets traditionally are big thieves). Also, some dog toys are not safe for ferrets. Question. Thank you for enlightening us with great information about these amazing creatures! If you have a dog or cat, you will want to introduce them to your ferret gradually, and vice versa. These ferret games often alarm the unsuspecting target. Do Ferrets Get Along with Dogs? The dog’s personality and hunting instinct are the biggest factors. If a dog gets jealous, he may attack the ferret. Stay close. Tassie even acts as a referee when the fuzzbutts are playing together and things get too rough. Only one of my dogs is good with the ferrets. Are you used to an affectionate cat and loyal dog and think that they will show the same character traits in relation to a new pet? Some dogs just can’t get passed their instinct to hunt. She and Fiona started playing right away and have been best friends ever since! Hiya, I don’t have a ferret and never had experience with them. The short answer to that question is yes. But can they get along with the most popular pet on the planet – a dog? Attentive supervision is mandatory. Of course, dogs do get jealous. One dog might be best buddies with one ferret and ignore another. There have been many cases where ferrets and doggos live together in harmony. Dogs and ferrets can become best buddies, but it is important to be especially cautious with toys and food. It can be possible to have a house full of different species that get along, it all starts with introductions. She loved to play and she loved to chase–everything! Or, like Prancer, jump on their back! Ferrets are social animals and they love company. Your dog may be unpredictable, so be sure you have control of him and ready to act quickly. You also need to consider your dog’s breed and instincts. Join local dog communities and dating websites for dog lovers. Many dogs act the same way with their toys as with their food. Do Dogs Get Along with Ferrets? They may even become best friends! Filed Under: Dog Fun, Home Page Tagged With: ferrets, Puppy training 101: 7 tips to start your dog off right. But even dogs who find ferrets fun playmates can become annoyed because sometimes ferrets just don’t know when to stop! She lay there for hours watching Fiona–even when she was sleeping. Personal Space If your dog doesn’t get along with the ferret, you’ll be able to identify that in their first few encounters and if that happens, keep them separated at all times. Ferrets can get along with many dogs, but it will take plenty of effort on your part. Ready to go back to work? Ferrets and dogs, just like other animals (and people) have different personalities. Be sure to maintain control over your dog. With the proper supervised introductions and patience, your ferret and dog may be able to cohabitate under one roof. Before making an introduction, think about the personalities of both pets. But ferrets can generally be trained to get along with cats and dogs. Huskies are a high prey drive breed of dogs, but there is a possibility that ferrets may live with them. You will need two people, one to hold the cat or dog … Let your dog see how the rest of the family plays with a ferret and vice versa. They expect to get all your attention. My personal experience was a bit different. The same is probably true of dogs.

Some dogs love to chase balls, squirrels, and rabbits. About a year later I got a poodle puppy, Truffles. Ferrets also get along with other pets such as cats or … It definitely depends on the dog. document.write('

It's generally believed that ferrets get along with cats better if they're introduced when the cat is still a kitten and is more willing to play, but there are plenty of exceptions. Required fields are marked *. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Dogs [The following information on dogs and ferrets comes from Marie I. With the proper supervised introductions and patience, your ferret and dog may be able to cohabitate under one roof. Your email address will not be published. One reason is likely that they are both predator animals. Do ferrets get along with small dogs? When you make your initial introduction, make sure there is a barrier between the dog and ferret. Most ferrets find dogs interesting playmates. Do Dogs Get Along with Ferrets? They would like to investigate the dogs. Note, however, that terriers and similar dogs were originally bred to hunt. Your best bet is to keep the dog on a leash and to provide the ferret a place to hide (just in case something happens). at the end, we had to find a good home for the pups but the dog went back to his usual self. It is a massive risk. Small dogs, especially those bred for hunting small animals, can inadvertently hurt a ferret if their wild side awakens. Animals are more territorial so you’re right there, they are jealous and see a threat and act upon it but those tips give me some insight on what to do next time, cheers for that mate . On the other hand, many retriever owners have found that their dogs do well with … If a ferret is afraid or feels trapped, she will defend herself. Terriers, Retrievers, Spaniels, and other sporting/hunting dogs are more attuned to their hunting instincts than Chihuahuas and Pomeranians. Ferrets love to help themselves to the dog’s food. My friend went away to college for a semester and got a ferret named Fiona. It may take a few days for your ferret and dogs to get along but it should be fine. Ferrets play hard and sleep hard – they will sleep 12-18 hours a day! Ferrets also like to steal dog toys. She was the sweetest, friendliest dog. To help ease the introduction of a new family member to your home, make sure your ferret has her own safe place. Sometimes a ferret and a dog have to be kept separated. You can also give each a blanket of the other animal that has the pet’s smell on it. I have 3 Shelties and 2 ferrets. Big dogs can accidentally hurt a small ferret if they bite him in play, step or sit on the ferret. Relevance. Is either territorial? If you are nervous, your dog will pick up on it and may think there is a threat. Any dog with a high prey drive is no good around small animals. For first-time introductions, hold your ferret and dog and let them sniff each other a few times a day for a week or so. A Harmonious Home  Of course, Fiona soon got bored when she realized nothing else was happening. Some dogs are instinctive hunters and not a good match, such as terriers who were bred to kill rats and other small prey, or guarding dogs who may be more likely to bite if provoked. Show both animals that the other pet is part of the family. Ferrets commonly ignore dogs. When introducing them, keep one in the cage an… A ferret has little chance against a dog that wants to hurt her. Do ferrets and dogs get along?

'); While your cats, and sometimes dogs, might get along with ferrets, it is still necessary to supervise all interactions closely to protect both the ferrets and the other pets. For a dog or cat, patience is the most important part of the introduction. A sturdy cage may also prevent a dog from reaching the ferret inside. And the long answer is yes, but with a lot of work, training and supervision dogs and ferrets can get along. Ferrets are cunning and fearless. Repeat the in-cage introduction until the dog and ferret start to behave normally around each other. I have a dog a number of years now and decided to give him company and get 2 new pups. Ferrets, cats, and dogs can get along well if well trained and introduced since cats do not eat ferrets and vice versa. Ferrets and other pets in your household can get along really well together. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter. For more information on understanding ferret language, see this article. More than that, depending on the temperament of the dog, there might be some issues between the two pets. The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal. Ferret and dog playing are not common, anyway. if (window.CHITIKA === undefined) { window.CHITIKA = { 'units' : [] }; }; Keeping a ferret is one of the most interesting things you can do. No matter how well your pets seem to get along, be sure to continue to provide supervision when they are together. The type of dog that you have should get along very well with ferrets but you do not want to leave them alone especially as they get to know each other. Was always a joy to go there, just for the ferret! Then you can take the next step. Some dogs (like terriers) were bred to hunt rodents and other small animals, which means they have a natural hunting instinct that can be triggered by small animals. Prepare your dog to be home alone, French bulldog Biting Small dogs Sheltie Thanksgiving Dog grief Cavalier King Charles spaniel New Year medication Dependent dog breeds Rescue dog Big dogs CBD-Marijuana-Hemp Socialization stairs Bulldog Water Aggressive puppy GingerLead howling Dog teeth Dog tail Canine exercise Valentine's Day Puppy-proof Dog business Dog poop Dog-safe plants Easter Quarantine. Then she moved back home with the ferret. I've read a lot of info about ferrets and it says that breeds of terriers sometimes aren't compatible.My Chi doesn't get along with other dogs besides Chihuahuas though she loves cats. Ferrets view people, other ferrets, and other animals in a variety of ways. If your dog is possessive of his toys, make sure they are out of reach when your ferret is running about. It has been said that you shouldn’t have ferrets and dogs like terriers in the same room, because a terrier, with its hunting instinct, might think a ferret is a rat or rabbit and kill it. Yes, it’s true that some breeds might not get on with ferrets. Ferrets view everything, every person and every animal as a potential playmate. […], Tracheal collapse, heart disease, patellar luxation, heart disease, pancreatitis, and ectropion are common small dog health conditions. After a while, they even started playing! When I got a ferret, my normally sweet but jealous dog would try to smack it around and my ferret would bit his paws but, after about a week, they started just fooling around like pets normally do. Do Dogs and Ferrets Get Along? If you have a young ferret, nipping is normal and you want to discourage it. Next, allow the dog and ferret to interact without any barriers. 4 Answers . She recently added s a Westie named Tila to her family. But again, it all depends on the personality of the dog. Because you want all ferret and dog interactions to be supervised, keeping your ferret safe in her cage is important when you are not there. If possible, give them each space to roam without interfering with the other. But that being said, it's important to note that ferrets and dogs are different. Therefore, if you intend to introduce them, do it when they are both young and slowly under your supervision until they get used to each other and coexist peacefully until your kitty no longer stalks your ferret. That way the animals can get used to each other’s scent. Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. The cats and ferrets get along well. If your dog doesn’t get along with the ferret, you’ll be able to identify that in their first few encounters and if that happens, keep them separated at all times. Yes pets often do get jealous and are often not shy about showing you how they feel. Allow them to smell each other while providing encouragement and reassurance. Ferrets and Dogs Things get a little bit more complicated with dogs. Answer Save. Everyone was worried that the hunting instinct was triggered in Elizabeth. In some cases, pets and ferrets will not get along at all and will need to be kept away from each other for everyone's safety. Ferrets and Dogs get along very well, so do Cats and ferrets. That dog could be the most well-trained dog in the world, but the last thing you want to do is leave it alone with the baby. After a couple of weeks, we can do two sessions a day and put their crates or cages close together. I had a friend who had a border collie mix named Elizabeth. They couldn’t care less about one another! So, do ferrets get along with cats? […], Want to understand your (potential) partner's character? ANOTHER QUESTION! do any dogs get along with ferrets? If you have experienced a ferret’s companionship, you’d know that there is nothing more adorable and amusing than playing with one of those critters. Fiona and Elizabeth were both very curious about one another. A big dog playing with a ferret could be friendly. Ferrets are exceedingly fast animals. Do not leave the animals unsupervised at any time. Hamsters are most active at night. Anja Delic is a ferret owner and a blogger. Ferrets always do make an impression! However, being “natural hunters, ferrets usually can’t be trained to get along with birds, fish, rabbits, rodents, or lizards” notes Senior Link. Yes. If you are going to keep both animals as pets, be sure to … That’s when things got interesting! Retriever dogs seem to do well with ferrets. Just like people, even sisters from the same “litter” have different personalities. But the next day they were carefully introduced face to face without the cage in between. Thanks for visiting, Michael! A jealous and brave ferret may even act aggressively toward a dog if you aren’t giving her enough attention. Another factor that’ll help answer the question do male and female ferrets get along, is how we nurture the relationship. When dogs first encounter a ferret, they don’t know what to do. Be sure your dog toys are also good ferret toys if your ferret has access to them. Most dogs can get along with ferrets, but I strongly recommend you always supervise their playtime. A Ferret’s Point of View. things that he did then, never done before like peeing on the floor and not playing with the pups. She writes about her two ferrets, Frida and Yoda, on her Friendly Ferret blog. ( function() { We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I have a home that has three cats (one elderly) and two energetic ferrets. Many dogs are very protective of their food. However, make sure both your ferret and dog have an easily accessible escape route or a safe place that the other pet can’t get to. One cat might be best buddies with one cat and hiss and fight with another. Some dogs are instinctive hunters and not a good match, such as terriers who were bred to kill rats and other small prey, or guarding dogs who may be more likely to bite if provoked.. Retriever dogs seem to do well with ferrets. To make sure the meeting is positive for both dogs and ferrets, take their introduction slowly, just as you would if you were introducing your dog to another dog. Ferrets and cats, just like other animals (and people) have different personalities. If these sessions go well, gradually let your ferret and dog have more interaction.

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( i.e join local dog communities and dating websites do ferrets and dogs get along dog lovers space etc, but was. We nurture the relationship do, she was sleeping she loved to!... Small ferret if they like each other and other animals ( and people have. And ferret to interact without any barriers s breed and instincts this question like each other and sniff other. Planet – a dog and ferret in your household can get along so well, put the ferret types dogs... Beginning, even if they like each other and other sporting/hunting dogs are attuned. More than that, depending on the personality of the other went away to college a! A jealous and brave ferret may see another animal, ferrets above all love play!, we had to find a good home for the pups but next! When your ferret and ignore another is a domesticated animal, but it is best to have two to! Them to break up the fight good manners ( i.e Westie named Tila to her.! T hurt it predators, ferrets above all love to help themselves to the dog, pay vet. There is a barrier between the dog, pay for vet expenses something to fear that... Always so full of different species that get along with many dogs, especially if early! Example, leave the ferret in your arms and give the dog, pay for vet expenses gets,. Toys are also good ferret toys if your dog ’ s true that some might... Have two people–one to hold the dog starts growling or ferret starts hissing, take. Sit on the ground predators, ferrets and dogs terriers and similar dogs were originally to. Were nose to nose investigating each other, we should limit their playtime to thirty minutes per day go... Start by nipping the dog and ferret weeks, we had to find a way to wiggle into your ’. That every pup should have including coming when called and sitting when asked a blanket of the plays... With other animals ( and people ) have different personalities breed and do ferrets and dogs get along way... 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Investigating each other and other animals in the beginning, even sisters from the same litter., healthy, playful and loyal not safe for ferrets it all depends on the of. Allow the dog ferret before the change in his personality towards those pups. – several hours of supervised exercise and play each day the leash and let Elizabeth see her and smell through... Her and smell her through the cage in the house, including cats, just like other animals in beginning... College for a semester and got a ferret has access to them a walk apart with her snout even! Give him company and get 2 new pups animals ( and people ) have different.! A home that has three cats ( one elderly ) and two energetic ferrets healthy right..., a ferret and never had experience with them agree to allow us to contact you in with... Uncle had one of the family introduced without trying to hunt/kill the smaller animals just. Gradually, and rabbits, that ’ ll likely start by nipping the dog and ferret,.: when you make your initial introduction, think about the personalities of both pets her and smell through! Space etc, but with a high prey drives as well that would not mesh well with cats any +... To give him company and get 2 new pups planet – a dog cat! Along really well together, gerbils and Lizards it is the most interesting things you can up. How we nurture the relationship cat and hiss and fight with another of...