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Sugar Gliders
Ferrets and Gliders
Ferrets and Gliders
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Jul 03 2014
06:16:21 PM
So I am interested in adopting two ferrets soon and was wondering what effect this would have on my gliders. If I was to get them their cage would most likely be close to my sugar gliders cage. (In the same room) Would this stress my gliders because of new scents? I have no intentions of putting my gliders anywhere near ferrets for obvious reasons. I'm just curious to know if it would be okay to keep both animals in the same room within separate cages.
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Jul 03 2014
07:19:31 PM
zombiellama Starting Member 2 Posts
I'd be surprised if they even noticed each other across the room, but I wonder if the smell would alert them?
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Jul 03 2014
07:27:14 PM
hypnotist321 Fuzzy Wuzzy Visit hypnotist321's Photo Album hypnotist321's Journal 1742 Posts
I use to breed ferrets, so glad I happened to see this.

You know how kittens play when they are little, that little stalking jumping attack play? That's just them/nature - they are learning how to hunt. And even if you cat will never hunt, it loves the 'action play'. Ferrets are the same in that regard, only it last FOREVER.

And they LOVE the kind of play that includes jumping several feet into the air to swipe something from mid flight or off the wall or your shoulder, that is THE best part of the game for them. They knock the play thing to the floor and pounce on it.

I have yet to have one bird or squirl or mouse or anything else that enjoys this game. I've never had a ferret that is 'mean', but they spend their days looking for entertainment, play things and hiding things when that fails. (Hide everything leather and small or it will all end up behind large things you cant move - like refrigerator and stove and washing machine etc).

I had a bird that died after a play date with frank the ferret. Frank didn't hurt him at all, but it scared the bird so badly that he died several days later. The bird (who always had free range of the house accept for when I was sleeping or away from home), was so scared he wouldn't come out of his cage, wanted his cage door closed, would not eat or sleep or drink unless I was holding him. He just sat there with his eyes wide open until he died :(

So, no, I wouldn't get a ferret. AND, also, people think ferrets live in cages. No, That would be like making a cat or dog live in a pet carrier! They go in and out of cage as they please, usually just to use the litter box.

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Jul 03 2014
07:28:14 PM
Beaker Joey 17 Posts
Thats my concern, I don't want the gliders scent stressing or attracting the ferrets and vise versa... My male glider is neutered so low scent and the ferrets I would be getting would probably be descented. Also Curious about toys and possibly sharing. I would not plan to ever try and introduce them, I fear the ferrets would probably try to prey on my gliders.
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Jul 03 2014
07:34:34 PM
Beaker Joey 17 Posts
I'm familiar with ferrets, my girlfriend has 2 and they are so adorable and loveable. She has hers out for a lot of the day and they seem to be mischievous. I've been thinking about getting ferrets for awhile and I think if I do go through with it I plan on adding some extra security to my glider cage. I have basic understanding of ferret care and have a lot of friends who have experience.
quote:
Originally posted by hypnotist321

I use to breed ferrets, so glad I happened to see this.

You know how kittens play when they are little, that little stalking jumping attack play? That's just them/nature - they are learning how to hunt. And even if you cat will never hunt, it loves the 'action play'. Ferrets are the same in that regard, only it last FOREVER.

And they LOVE the kind of play that includes jumping several feet into the air to swipe something from mid flight or off the wall or your shoulder, that is THE best part of the game for them. They knock the play thing to the floor and pounce on it.

I have yet to have one bird or squirl or mouse or anything else that enjoys this game. I've never had a ferret that is 'mean', but they spend their days looking for entertainment, play things and hiding things when that fails. (Hide everything leather and small or it will all end up behind large things you cant move - like refrigerator and stove and washing machine etc).

I had a bird that died after a play date with frank the ferret. Frank didn't hurt him at all, but it scared the bird so badly that he died several days later. The bird (who always had free range of the house accept for when I was sleeping or away from home), was so scared he wouldn't come out of his cage, wanted his cage door closed, would not eat or sleep or drink unless I was holding him. He just sat there with his eyes wide open until he died :(

So, no, I wouldn't get a ferret. AND, also, people think ferrets live in cages. No, That would be like making a cat or dog live in a pet carrier! They go in and out of cage as they please, usually just to use the litter box.



Question
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Jul 03 2014
11:53:43 PM
bellalucysmom Glider bellalucysmom's Journal 59 Posts
Just remember things happen. And what if your gliders and the ferrets do meet if one of them escapes from their cage? And you are not around? Can you live with whatever happens?
I have been very lucky myself b/c I have to have my gliders in my bird room now. They were too stinky for the living room. Long story. And much to my surprise a couple of times they have gotten out. Someone did not close the door all the way or ...?? Anyway there are 6 in each colony and 2 birds in 2 different cages, the room is not very big either. I checked to make sure they had all their fingers and toes when I caught them. And they did , thank god. But you just don't know what will happen. I think now I worry more about them getting on the other glider cage more than the bird cages. They really do not like the other gliders. And they do attack each other when they get on the other cage.
Good luck with your decision


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Jul 04 2014
12:12:12 AM
astockd1 Face Hugger Visit astockd1's Photo Album 478 Posts
I would not do it. Ferrets do not stay in cages and just come out to play, most of the time they're out just as much as they're in. They're escape artists too and we all know gliders can escape and it happens occasionally. The glider could get scared and attack the ferret, or the ferret could scare or harm the glider very much. They will be able to see each other. My glider flips out when he sees our dog... it might work but I personally would not do it because it's risky.
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Jul 05 2014
09:22:58 AM
sunglider Face Hugger Visit sunglider's Photo Album 669 Posts
I would not get them. I agree they are very cool, but I also have had my gliders escape several times from their cage by accidentally leaving a door not latched, and them just finding out how to push a grate out in the bottom of the cage (I know zip tie that shut).

Ferrets are hunters and like to be entertained. I also think the smell would stress them out. Or they would get used to their smell and think they are safe because you have them in the same room. We had a cat that would lay under our gliders cage and one day as we were holding our gliders they literally ran across the room and jumped right onto the cats back. Thank goodness the cat freaked out and just ran. It could have not turned out so great.
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Jul 05 2014
06:28:12 PM
tsugie Super Glider Visit tsugie's Photo Album 370 Posts
Everyone is saying no and I get their points but by their arguments then you shouldn't have cats, dogs, or ANY other pet that could possibly injure or kill your suggies.
I have seen plenty of people who have both ferrets and suggies. Plenty have cats and dogs as well.
I have cats, dogs and ferrets.

I'm moving the ferrets to the basement soon but they have been in the living room with the suggies for over a year.
I have had zero accidents.
Why? Because I'm careful.
Accidents can happen but not necessarily will happen.
You will just have to be very careful and constantly inspect the suggies' cage.

Ferrets sleep for very long times (18 hours on average) and they don't have to have free range or be able to enter and leave their cage as they please.

Before I had the PVC cage for the suggies and I had one ferret, he had free range of the living room and he stayed awake playing for about 4-5 hours overall, and less in winter.
By the time he went to sleep for the night the suggies hadn't even woken up.

You can adjust a ferret's schedule to fit yours so just make sure to accostum the ferrets to be awake and playing during the day instead of during the night.
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Jul 05 2014
11:14:11 PM
Toodles_Jennie Joey Visit Toodles_Jennie's Photo Album Toodles_Jennie's Journal TX, USA 49 Posts
My first question would be, have you ever seen a ferret eat a live mouse? If not YouTube it, then ask yourself, could you accept if that happen to your sugar gliders? I do have a German Shepherd that I question what would happened (only because of her strength), but she doesn't try to get into their cage, this also goes for my cats (there interested but don't mess with the cage). Ferrets however are very inquisitive and could get into a cage if not locked properly. All in all we take a risk having sugar gliders housed with carnivorous you just have to weigh that risk and decide if it's worth the taking.
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Jul 06 2014
02:22:23 AM
Minnesota Zoo Fuzzy Wuzzy Visit Minnesota Zoo's Photo Album USA 1999 Posts
I would enjoy my friends ferrets at her house and enjoy my own gliders at home.

Sugar gliders are a lot of responsibility. I am glad I waited to get them like I did. My sons are now adults and I have the time to dedicate to them and my 4 dogs and Cat.

I have had rabbits in the past but not ferrets but like the other posts stated above...I would not want to keep them locked in a cage all the time and only have them out for few hours of play time.

I would want them to have access to as much room as they need for them to have enriched and fulfilled lives, my rabbit had access to the whole house and got along great with my 2 dogs and my cat, they were all raised together.

I definitely would not keep them in the same room at all, and would make sure there were closed doors to the room where the gliders cage is so if there was an escape it would not end in potential disaster.
Ferrets and Gliders

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