Ferrets or Chinchillas?

Does anyone in here have a Ferret or a Chinchilla? How are they as pets? I've been thinking about getting them recently but am still undecided. Ferrets seem like really cool, really fun animals but they are illegal in California. So how would one in California go about getting a Ferret. Any other useful, positive, negative information anyone can give me on a Ferret or Chinchilla? I'm just tired of having the normal "rats, rabbits" and would like something a little more exotic.

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Originally Posted by BigDan35

Does anyone in here have a Ferret or a Chinchilla? How are they as pets? I've been thinking about getting them recently but am still undecided. Ferrets seem like really cool, really fun animals but they are illegal in California. So how would one in California go about getting a Ferret. Any other useful, positive, negative information anyone can give me on a Ferret or Chinchilla? I'm just tired of having the normal "rats, rabbits" and would like something a little more exotic.

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I used to breed ferrets (but don't own them anymore)...the basic overview - very smart, social (to a funny extent), mischevious and will steal anything shiny that they can get their hands on. They dance, sing (chatter and bark). Downsides - smell musky so you need to bathe them every couple of weeks, they poop and pee by backing up (usually to a corner)...but anywhere they can back up (but can be litter box trainer). They can also get anywhere they can fit there head...so like snakes they can hide in the smallest of spaces...so you have to "ferret proof" your home. My recommendation is to buy one from a breeder...the ones at pet stores are fixed very early on so they stay very small and have lots more health problems. My ferrets that weren't fixed would hit 7 - 12 lbs of solid muscle...versus the 3-5lbs small pet stores ones.

Sorry I don't know anything about Chinchilla's.

Also, I don't advocate getting an illegal pet...but that is up to you.

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Originally Posted by BigDan35

I've been thinking about getting them recently but am still undecided. Ferrets seem like really cool, really fun animals but they are illegal in California. So how would one in California go about getting a Ferret.

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seeing as exotics are under enough scrutiny, and we as exotic animal keepers don't really want to see our animals taken away from us, I in no way condone this thread. Not to mention planning illegal activity on a public forum is never a good idea, so with that said, i don't think it's really the best idea to promote illegal activity.

I have a chinchilla. They aren't "cuddly", don't really like being held or touched to mucy. They need to have a AC since anything over 80 can give them heat stroke and or kill them. They need a lot of room to run and jump around so a big cage is a must. They need a high quality pellet and good quality hay. They do better in pairs. When they get sick, they go down hill every fast. I just took mine ot the ER vet this past sunday because he had gotten sick.

I highly recommend if you really want a chinchilla to read up on them over at
http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/index.php?

The people can be a bit harsh, but they really do care a lot more about the animals welfare... then your own personal feelings.

I love my chinchilla, he is very sweet. I'd recommend getting one from a breeder and not from a petstore since petstore chins are known to be inbred, have major health problems and be a bit crazy and not to tame.


Also if you know ferrets are illegal in CA... DO NOT GET ONE. You will be caught down the road after your friends get word you own one you will be fined pretty good, along with your ferret being put to sleep.

That is so stupid. I really don't understand California at all. We have the strictest rules about absolutely everything. The only 2 states in the whole entire USA that have ferrets listed as illegal are: California, Hawaii.

Why do the other 48 states get to have them legally but we do not?

i don't understand why they're not illegal in the midwest, because even though they're not closely related to black footed ferrets, I'm pretty sure they can still interbreed. don't quote me on this though, I could be making it up, but I don't think I am.

I have ferrets and i love them to death always getting into trouble though. then again thats what they are good for, Mustela putorius furo, the scientific name explains it all stinky little thief. which is what they are but a great joy to have around. wouldnt trade them for the world

Well goodluck there in New Jersey...I'm not sure if I want to be caught owning an "illegal" pet here in California. One question I have though is if they are illegal how come there are breeders in California that breed ferrets exclusively? You would think these people would be found out soon enough.

their ferrets were probably grandfathered in, so they got to keep them. it's weird if they are still actually allowed to breed them.

i just think its dumb that you can make such a cute lil fuzzybutt illegal they arent much diffrent then how you would take care of a cat well ok they are but they arent mine free roam the house all the time and i have them on innova evo ferret food and a raw meat diet. they are carnivores. my lil girl poe will do a back flip when she sees her treats or i shake the treat bag its cute. i've lost 10 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of boxers, 2 work shirts, 300 dollars and 5 credit cards, my house keys, and my cell phone i found the cell phone last nite but cant seem to find anything else. :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:IN THIEVES I TELL YA!!!!!! lol i love them i wish they would change the laws also they are illegal to own in parts of new york too.

but i dont see them going anywhere soon in new jersey i work at a petco and those are one of our biggest sellers next to the reptiles we have.

I own 2 ferrets and have worked with chinchillas. I think as far as interacting, ferrets are just more fun. Ferrets are very playful and can be naughty at times too. However, my problem with them is I don't have a lot of time to devote to them like I used to. They are not cage pets. They need exercise and need to be out of the cage everyday for a while. They are curious little theives that will steal anything they can carry and I have even seen my two ferrets work together to haul larger stuff (like my dogs food dish). They are predicatable though, usually stashing stuff in the same places all the time (In my case, under the bed). They do smell even if their glands are removed. You can lessen it by adding things like bidor to their water and bathing them (although you don't want to bathe them too much or they overproduce the oils in their fur to compensate and then they just smell worse.) They are a carnivore and require a high protein meat diet. Fish make them small worse. I feed mine zupreem ferret diet. They have a shot digestion tract which means they poop very often. It looks kind of like dog poop.

They are a riot.

Chinchillas are beautiful creatures. They used to make fur coats out of them (I don't know if they still do or not.) They don't take regular baths with water but instead bathe in dust which is interesting to watch. They can overheat easily thanks to that lovely coat so they should be kept cool. They even make products like marble slabs that remain cool for the chins to lay on. They can be friendly and take treats out of your hand and some people I know even walk them around their house. They eat pellets made for chins and partake in a banana chip or two...hehehe or three. and they love their raisons and oat groats. Their poop comes out in tiny little pellet type rectangles (best way I can think to describe it) They also need hay (the high quality pet store stuff like alfafa and timothy)


I am not telling anyone what to do here, just sharing info that I know.

jeese i though uk laws were bad lol , ferrets are an absolute joy to keep i love em my ferret (fergus) is now 9 years old and still playing the THIEF lol :rockon:
here he is :D
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...g?t=1181166566
but if its illegal were you are then DONT get one , its not fair on the ferret if your caught :(