Are ferrets like rats (happier with companions)? *UPDATE*

[JennJenn]

Two months ago I rescued a ferret from someone who wasn't taking care of her.  The vet says that she is around 6 months old.  I named her Emmah, and she is just the greatest little thing in the entire world    She has been an only ferret for three months now.  Are ferrets like rats and need to have a companion?  All of my rats have buddies and I see them in their cages grooming eachother and snuggling... I feel like Emmah is missing out.  I have searched webstes to find out if ferrets need companions like rats do, but I can't find it anywhere.  I will gladly get her a friend if she would be happier with one, but then again I don't want to get another ferret if she is happy being by herself. 

[ShadowDancer60]

It would definitely be in Emmah's best interest to have a buddy or 3 

This coming from someone who hasn't had less than 6 in the house at a time in the last 16 years. At least one other, so she has someone to play with/sleep with/get into trouble with.

[nakedrats]

Ferrets and rats are very different.  I'd suggest looking through some more websites to make sure you have proper care for your new little one. 
http://www.rockysferrets.com/ferret_tips/index.html

A good ferret forum is Ferret Village: http://www.ferretvillage.org/

For food, I fed Totally Ferret and Nutro Kitten.  They need at least 30% protein and 20% fat in their kibble.  You need to have food available all the time since their digestive tract moves really fast.  Similar to rats, ferrets LOVE fuzzy bedding.  Mine loved sleepy cubes and hammocks and sleep sacks.  Fortunately they don't chew them to pieces like rats do.  They also need large amounts of free range time- usually 4-6hrs a day.  Then they tend to tire themselves out and then may not bite or destroy things as much.  Get some crocheted eggs (they sell them on Ferret Village) for her to drag around and hide in the couch.  They also tend to love cat fishing pole toys- especially the one with a ton of fuzzy pink strings on the end. She'll probably bite/nip since she's a baby.  Ferrets will usually use a corner litterbox  as long as you put it where they were planning on pooping anyway.  They don't go look for the litterbox the way a cat does, it is your job to put litterboxes in all her favorite pooping spots. Ferrets do enjoy company.  Get her a friend if you can at all.  I highly suggest taking her along to pick one out so you can see if they get along before you take it home.  Also, start saving your money for vet bills.  If you think rat vet bills are bad, you're in for a nasty surprise.  I spent over $100 for a routine yearly visit and vaccinations.  Her emergency vet visit cost $800+ for an overnight visit and all she got was bloodwork, IV fluids, and a seat in the ICU.  Get ready.....

[JennJenn]

I researched a ton when I got her so I know I'm doing all of the other stuff right, just wasn't sure if they needed company like rats do.  Arlene gave me the name of a great rescue in MD that I have already been in contact with.  I have an appt tomorrow to visit the all of the homeless wees!  Hopefully we will find the perfect match for my Emmah.  A Feisty Ferret cage is big enough for 2 ferrets right?  Time to research how to intro ferrets 

Thank you nakedrats and ShadowDancer!

Emmah is in a Feisty Ferret cage and I feed her Totally Ferret food.  She has already been to the vet for her vaccines (rabies and distemper).  She gets about 5 hours out a day.

[Arlene]

Ferrets and rats tend to like the same things to play with--bags, tubes, ramps, etc. They are very social and enjoy company to cuddle up with and to play with. Besides that, their nutritional needs are different and so is the amount of playtime they require. Naked Rats pretty much said it all especially the saving your money part. Ferrets can be very expensive especially as they get older. Good luck with your baby. There are a lot of excellent sites out there with lots of information. Also, we are still here for advice as well.

[JennJenn]

Sooo.... I visited The Ferret Inn rescue today and picked out my little one.  It was so hard to make a decision!  There were so many adorable little ones running around, and they were all so sweet.  I chose a little man.  His name is Tinsel, he is only a few months old and already weighs in at 2 pounds!  He is going to be a big boy.  He is so sweet and calm and I think he will be a perfect fit for Emmah.  I will post pictures when I get him home this weekend.  Now I have to think of a new name for him...Tinsel just doesn't fit now that he is such a big boy.

He was dropped off at a vets office and was so thin that the shelter director didn't know whether or not he would make it.  So he got the name Tinsel. They said they were going to be very picky about who they adopted him out to but I got approved!  The shelter director even asked me if I would like to volunteer because I was great with the ferrets.  It went great!

[Marybelle]

Hooray!  Good luck with intros!