My Controversial Ferret Care Opinions

[@TheModernFerret]

Thank you for making this video! You are braver than I am!!! 😅 I agree that there are multiple ways to raise ferrets and we are all learning together.

[@trawicktribe3115]

Hi Hayley! and your right.

[@Grey-wp5xu]

hey guess what you're allowed to have opinions people should accept that and be nice thank u (good job being braver than I could ever be)

[@minimcguyver]

The 10 reasons video honestly dissuaded me from getting ferrets of my own because it made me realize I wouldn’t be able to give them the lives they deserve. Major props to you for making it, it’s one of my favorites of yours

[@racheltomlinson9621]

In 2000, I had 5 ferrets, I was a teenager, and had a ferret room which was my room. I would sit on floor and do homework. They would try to steal my pencils or papers and such. Or they would come jump on me for some attention. I had a cage that was set when I was at school but I spend a lot of time in my room with door closed letting the 5 ferrets run around. I had my room ferret proofed as best I could. I would not hear noise and find they had gotten on my bed and were sleeping in my blankets after they had played for around 3 hrs. As an adult with my one ferret with insonoma, we had baby gates to keep her away from the dog. The ferret was also blind and deaf and kept biting the dog. Plus to keep her from hurting herself as she was blind.

[@minimcguyver]

Can we get a “Let the noodles be silly” shirt please????

[@petersiska6915]

yesyesyes

[@JazChristinaa]

I love your sarcastic humor 😁u should start back posting

[@toniclifford4630]

For the most part, I absolutely agree with the points made, and a couple I don't 100% agree with, but respect your opinion on as it pertains to your ferrets and your experiences. My main issue with some ferret people is trying to push the logic that "all ferrets must have another ferret friend"... This depends on your specific ferret as well as your specific situation. Are you prepared to provide for multiple ferrets? Medical bills are extremely expensive. As well as someone who has zero experience with ferrets and jumps head first and gets multiple ferrets, then decides that ferrets aren't the right pet for them now have to rehome an entire business vs just one. My biggest issue is that some,, not all, feel like getting multiple ferrets makes up for not having to spend time with and interacting with your ferret "because they prefer company of other ferrets, so I don't have to spend time with them"... yes, someone has told me that... On top of that, there really are some ferrets that just don't want another ferret at all. I've dealt with that personally. Had a ferret who was solo for almost 3 years. I rescue 2 elderly ferrets and everything was great. Then they passed away. Tried to introduce 2 new ones, and my ferret attempted multiple times to kill the new ones. And from then on, she refused any other pet in my home. Outside of that, she was happiest being with her people, and was allowed to free roam and be involved with our lives. Another thing I slightly agree with, but have found myself guilty of is sugar coating owning ferrets. It's not intentionally, but when it's something that you are so used to, it's difficult to remember every little bad thing. I've had ferrets for almost 13 years, so the majority of the things some people would find annoying, is just normal to me. Things like kits biting, or missing the litter boxes on occasion, or just being a brat of a ferret is normal to me. The time required to properly care for them is just part of my life now, so it's not something I notice anymore. And now that I have a new baby ferret, I don't see it as a change in my daily life. It was more of a challenge when I went almost 3 years without having a ferret after my old girl passed on. I didn't know what to do with my life, and found myself waking up and preparing to clean litter boxes and serve breakfast and meds. It just became my everyday normal. So yeah.. I'm slightly guilty of sugar coating owning ferrets, because my life has been adjusted for so long to having them that I forget how it is to have never owned a ferret before. But I always just tell people that ferrets are the best pet for the right kind of people. They are not a cat or a dog, they are unique and they require alot of patience. But the more you put into your relationship with your ferret, the more you will grow to absolutely love them.

[@JOJO-jb3ov]

I love this.. I started my ferrets on raw diet and they were doing amazing but I have a small child and I was constantly filled with anxiety filled thoughts of my kiddo picking up raw meat it was too stressful for me so I had to stop which came with some guilt but I do feed them freeze dried air dried and high quality commercial cat food rotating the food type and protein as much as I can for variety way less anxiety now and waaay less guilty feeling too thank you for this controversial video!

[@lauranicholson8516]

I never thought about a ferret room in that way 🤔. The living room is kind of my ferrets room now, but they also own the whole flat 😂. Otherwise I completely agree with everything, amazing. Thank you for all the content you give ❤.

[@pablos270280]

Great video! I love how understanding you are - you have a lot of experience and vast knowledge about ferrets but many ferret owners don't. It is good to see that you are more supportive than patronising and judgemental. We are all learning all the time but some of us (like myself) have a little bit more to learn than some others. It's good that you share your knowledge and experience with others! And I think that as long as people are willing to learn and they really care about their ferrets and they really try to do what is best for them that's great. However, if someone is doing something wrong and they know but they still keep doing that only because pure laziness or ignorance then they shouldn't have any pets at all. Maybe a soft toy but not a pet. Many thanks for another great video! :)

[@rOdiSMEm]

I agree with everything you said. I am one of those people whose ferret had a life threatening vaccine reaction(she had to be hospitalized in oxygen for two nights!) and people are always shocked to learn I still vaccinate my other ferrets. The way I see It is I have more reason to vaccinate her siblings now that she no longer can get vaccines as their herd immunity is the only thing she now has to protect her. I think it’s also more important to make sure you are going to a ferret knowledgeable vet, when she had her reaction it was during the time my vet makes us stay for observation after the vaccine, they were able to get her medication and in oxygen so fast because we were still there and they were prepared for a reaction even though they did not suspect it to be likely. I also have owned ferrets for 10 years and have had 6 throughout that time and she is the only one who has ever had a reaction.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodFerrets]

I'm so sorry to hear you went through that, I can only imagine how stressful it must have been. But I'm very glad she made it through everything. Thank you for sharing your story! I think it's so important to hear from people who've been through scary reactions like that. I totally agree with your reasoning to continue vaccinating.

[@bm-theferrets657]

I completely agree with you on feeding. I prefer to feed my ferrets mostly grinds (80-10-10) and give them whole prey (baby mouse or 1 day chicks) only as an occasional treat. As you said franken prey diet is very complicated, time consuming and require a lot of logistics and planning. If you have more than one ferret it can be rather difficult to make sure each ferret got exactly the same meal proportion. Grinds make a fully balanced meal and it's very unlikely if not impossible that one of your ferrets will have more meat when the other one will get more organs - it's all mixed together so each and every ferret gets 80-10-10. Feeding grinds gives you also bigger flexibility when it comes to source of proteins. I mixed for my ferrets different grinds made of different types of meat and I ended up with a mix containing 19 different proteins. My ferrets jus love it! And when they get their whole prey it's more as an enrichment (they have so much fun playing with their food) and oral care than actual nutritious and balanced meal. I agree that whole prey diet is the most natural form of diet (as long as it is still diverse) but I don't find feeding grinds is not as good as franken prey. Feeding grinds works perfect for me and for my ferrets - they love it, they are healthy and I have more time to spend with them! :)

[@kelsie_o3o516]

Thank you for this video Kenya ! I hope you and the ferret children are doing well!

[@PawsToJourney]

Very great video! Expressing your opinions on KZbin can be scary! We strongly agree that raw diets are best for ferrets; however we don't...and have always felt.. lesser/horrible/bad ferret owners when we share that we don't. We have tried many times, and never could get them to switch (all of our boys were older when we tried; currently 4, 5, and 7.5 years). Also love your views about cages/free roam time/rooms! Our boys free roam most of the day, but have access to their cage (which they go back to during the day to sleep). We always cage them if we leave and at night. We also agree with vaccines for them (especially because we camp, hike, and go on TONS of outings with them). We did have 1 boy (he's passed away since from old age), who did have really bad reactions to vaccines. We tried a couple of times, and the vet would do a bunch of stuff before the vaccine like Benadryl, but it did not help; so per their recommendation we stopped vaccinating him.

[@avelynewalk9159]

I don't get ferret rooms. If you wouldn't keep your dog or cat in one room you DEFINITELY shouldn't keep a ferret in one room

[@backisayback5147]

I think it’s because unfortunately, lots of people see a pet they want and just don’t do enough research about the animal. It’s like even hamsters who yes can be in cages as they are smaller and don’t need the same amount of work. some people give them the tiniest of cages and it’s awful they have no space. It’s sad but that’s why people create videos to help for those who want to do research and care enough too. Sadly people just don’t think properly about the care of animals

[@paigemountianbook6468]

I love your videos I don’t have ferrets but your videos has helped me learn so much about them as I’m planning on adopting a pair from my local shelter soon!

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodFerrets]

Best of luck with your new noodles

[@vickyrutherford3695]

Franken prey just makes it super complicated. I rotate between grinds and whole prey so each meal is fully balanced and its so much easier and the ferrets love their food. Also facebook groups really get mad when your like fine I'll make my own group. I got banned from the eu polecat group for doing just that. Oops lol. But I love I made a safe space for hybrid owners that include none dark floofs :).

[@paulgarrod8539]

Just here to say how much I love the points you made and how you made them. I would love to hear about your manga collection sometime as well!

[@racheltomlinson9621]

In early 2000, I had 5 ferrets (no insonoma) amd fed them 'Science diet kitten' kibble. A couple years ago I got a random ferret (no history background, got imsonoma) and I was trying to find still the high protein and fat. I would feed snacks of meat jerky or other things with protein.

[@SpiralingRabbit]

I 100% agree with the cage discussion! Us and our 4 ferrets definitely need our own space. Our bedroom and the nursery is off limits because I'll have a newborn arriving soon, and they have their own cage to hide and snuggle in at night together. This also helps their sleeping schedule sync with ours. The rest of the house is free roam during the day (except for the bathroom because of their obsession with toilet paper). Great video!

[@cw7414]

It'll probably be a while before I'm able to get ferrets (6 months or a year) but I'm just trying to do some research to see if they would be a good fit for me, and this video was very helpful! Thankyou!

[@mrr7558]

Just get over it imma go to reno on Wednesday 🤣

[@emilymaddrey5660]

I had to keep my ferrets in one room that didn't have air conditioning in between leases, cause my dad is allergic and thats the only option I had. It was only a month, but I had to spend SO much time in there, constantly taking the temperature, refilling their water, changing out slabs of cool marble, and giving them supervised free roam time. I basically spent my summer in one room with them. It was awful. I guess in some situations a ferret room can be good, but I feel like it's just creating more work for yourself in some ways. In my new house, they are in my bedroom and they're so much easier to care for.

[@haidentrokey3580]

What if you have a ferret room, but it's your room? That's what I do, they sleep with me and I play with them constantly. I think it works pretty well :/

[@melindajean5452]

Thanks about the raw diet. I always feel guilty but I can't get somethings and I'm not comfortable with it.

[@katelyn2224]

I love this video! I recently did a cage tour on my channel. Anyway- My ferret, Sasha, use to free roam the whole living room, (a lot of personal stuff is happening but overall, I'm living with family and I can't ferret proof everything) and was in all honesty.. depressing. Now, before because of personal reasons and certain events- she was in a small playpen before. Yeah, it was way better then the playpen, but she started to not eat much, sleep more and not play. When I made some space for my critter nation, I immediately built it all night and put her in it while I slept and in the morning.. guess what? She was playing. Really playing. She was jumping, digging in her box, chasing me, running around and chasing her toys and ect. She also is eating more and I'm really happy. She's still getting a friend in a few weeks but still. She's happier.

[@nicola_767]

Sorry if this isn't the right video lol but I do stand by a raw diet... BUT it doesn't have to be 100% raw... and also doesn't have to cost alot... for the one ferret I have it cost me £12 a month to buy frozen diced beef (which I defrost a few pieces daily) and I also give her kitten treats in between... it does not have to cost alot. My ferret is very happy and doesn't like anything other than (raw) beef) and her treats. The only difference make is giving her some makerel once every so often to distract her to be able to cut her nails. It doesn't have to be expensive 😊

[@backisayback5147]

Hi there, I’m hoping to get some ferrets soon. It will be my first time. And I have done loads of research but I’m still very confused about the raw diet, as it seems to me you should feed different meats and it has to be a certain amount to their weight? I may have this wrong. If so, feel free to correct me. But I was wondering what you do when you feed yours? Like how much and do you change up the meats? What’s best? I live in the uk and so I’m not sure what kibble I’d buy if I couldn’t feed raw because i know all the kibbles that say ‘ferret’ on them are actually very bad for your ferrets. But I think I’d have to do half n half as I don’t have the money for raw all the time, since I’m slightly younger and I do have a job but I’m not payed lots. It would be really nice if you and helpful if you got back to me about what you do to feed? As I want to make sure I’m giving them the best thing for them

[@nicola_767]

So I give my ferret about 3-4 pieces of beef and/or chicken (raw) and she also has a few treats a day... the cat treat pockets are a favourite. As an added extra I give a couple of drops of salmon oil in with one of the bits of meat, its got lots of good vitamins for them and a bottle lasts ages. I have a miniature ferret so you may need to feed a little more. Hope this helps!

[@Eneby00]

My ferrets have a very varied diet. I started off with grinds (10/80/10). Eventually I decided that it would be good to introduce them to solid foods for number of reasons; kits need more calcium, bones keep their teeth clean, and when I run out/can't get grinds I'm going to need them to be used to eating things that would be emergency food - this has saved me a lot of trouble. Grinds are good for when I have to leave them with my family; it's much less trouble, they don't have to chase after my ferrets when they stash a massive piece of food, they don't have to break up fights between them due to them being greedy, and as long as they wash their hands there's no risk of salmonella (I usually have it all prepared, left in the bowl ready to serve). Feeding them chunks has also allowed me to introduce more protein into their diet; I go to an Asian Market every now and again where I buy them loads of treats such as frog legs, mussels, and squid. Grinds save me a lot of time when I spend too long at work and I'm too tired to chop up and weigh meat. Both can absolutely be done at the same time, even in the same day.

[@dans.6305]

Ohhh, a kibble video. That's like jumping into controversy! Honestly, though, it is probably a really good one to do. As you said in this video, kibble is the right choice for some circumstances - just like sea rations, hardtack, and spam. 🙃 But it's hard to choose without education and the package branding is so often, arguably, deceptive. Thanks for being brave enough to do it. Looking forward to it. Have a great trip!

[@3amhellbeast]

I don't see the controversy, I have the exact same thoughts on all of these things! 😂 But seriously, this was a brave video to put out. As someone whose been harassed or yelled at for some of these opinions or felt pressured to do things because of certain people in the ferret community basically saying I'm a bad ferret owner if I don't do it, it's refreshing. People still try to give me shit for not feeding raw when that just doesn't work for my ferrets (even though it would be cheaper then the $200 I spend on high quality ferret food each month) or I prefer to not have a ferret room or free roam (basically for the same reasons that you mentioned). The biggest one is the social media issue though... I've had to tell so many kids that ferrets do not make good emotional support animals (nvm the kids who expect a ferret to comfort them and give them kisses when they want) 😅. I do my best to try to give people more realistic expectations and it doesn't help that my ferrets are absolute angels around other people, so I usually have to explain that they're little demons in fursuits haha.

[@LadyHamsterton]

I don't have a ferret room but my ferrets are just in my bedroom 24/7. They have a cage but only use it if i'm cleaning my room (locked) and when they are sleeping (leaving the cage open). I just don't really trust my young brother and sister around them and don't think our house is very safe for them. Also, I practically live in my bedroom. Never tought about your point that you won't see them as often when they are in their own room.

[@obi807]

What the h*ll are you doing sharing your opinions? Who do you think you are? Just kidding. Thanks for the video. Nobody should get mad by an opinion, and moreover if the rational behind is gently explained. A future ferret owner (once I complete my research). Have a nice trip.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodFerrets]

not gonna lie... you got me in the first half

[@zoeduplechain9228]

thank you for this video. i am taking in two ferrets tomorrow from a re-homing situation. i have been doing a lot of studying and ran across your channel. the biggest concern i had was trying to feed these babies frakenprey diets. i am interested in trying grinds eventually :) so i will be looking further into that

[@alexculbreath9569]

This was so helpful. Thank you.

[@97harper]

I definitely think the vaccine reaction case is very over thought. I talked with my vet and went through with it for both my boys. Gone very well! But that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of future changes.

[@mirarose8828]

I totally agree with you on all points!! We are lucky to have enough money to feed ziwi (with some instinct protein and some wysong ep 90 mixed in) and rotate through 6 proteins. It is a easy and great diet... and they are very healthy on it!!

[@yellowing6263]

I have a ferret room because of animals in my house who can't be around them. I am guilty of not spending much time with my ferrets but that is mostly because I have divorced parents who have split custody over me. There space is a basement and I feel like it's enough room, and when I am home it is my safe space and is where I want to be 24/7. So I get what you're saying and I also agree but I feel like works for me okay.

[@yellowing6263]

P. s. A really good enrichment for your ferret room is just opening your book bag and placing it in the room. My ferrets favorite thing is digging through my bag omg.

[@Terry-S-7]

New subscriber, love your videos, your personality and your ferrets. xx

[@xxl0serxx140]

The only reason I don’t feed a raw diet is because one of my ferrets hate raw meat so it would so to waste, only my albino would eat it

[@cerysaddison5795]

I think I might look into creating my own grinds when I move out but I don’t think my ferrets would necessarily like it but it would be nice if they at least like organ soup

[@sygnics]

I know this is an older video, but I'm sure new ferret owners still look at resources like these: in EUROPE a raw diet can be extremely dangerous to a ferret. Do your research about your specific country before feeding a raw diet -- don't just follow internet hype.

[@brenda0748]

100%agree!✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️ good points

[@ari-in8ny]

thank you for the comment on raw feeding. i feed my ferret a grain free, high protein, kibble and have felt guilty about it since getting my ferret. i’m new to this community and felt so overwhelmed and that i wasn’t a good owner because i’m not comfortable feeding raw. i’m vegan and have no clue how to feed raw and doing that makes me feel a bit sick so i didn’t want to screw it up. getting a food that was nutritious and didn’t have toxic ingredients was hard, but i did so much research to find a good one. to not be attacked for not raw feeding made me feel so much better. so thank you for that. i enjoy learning more from your videos simply because i feel you’re not hostile towards anyone. you’re so helpful in the kindest way possible. 🤎

[@korlynbailey3306]

I did too in the beginning. Its ok! I felt soooo guilty about feeding my boys kibble, but eventually you realize these are your ferrets. As long as you can justify your choice to you thats all that matters. You're doing great! I just wanted to tell you that, its very hard in the beginning of ferret ownership, but the noodle bears make it so worth it.

[@backisayback5147]

Hiya what kibble do you feed them? I’m hoping to get some ferrets and I’ve done loads of research but now I’m thinking I will struggle to feed raw. I have raw food I already feed my dog. But it seems more confusing then that. As you have to give them a certain amount of each meat? It’s very confusing and I will be a first time ferret owner. I also have been feeling guilty if I did feed kibble only but now I’m thinking it’s what’s best for me as I am a little younger and although I have a small job with a bit of money I don’t have enough to constantly buy raw meat. So I was wondering what you buy that’s nutritional enough

[@blackfoxhandicrafts]

Am I able to feed my ferret kibble and grinds? I would like to leave them kibble all day and feed them grinds for dinner. Or feed grinds for breakfast and dinner. I do not want to upset their tummies though.

[@JesikasHomesteadLife]

Agreed

[@nott2997]

I don't feed a raw diet, not because I don't want to/can't, but because my ferret will not eat anything but kibble. That includes eggs. She hates raw haha

[@kayleighbennett4976]

If you disagree, disagree respectfully ❤️

[@kristenfrancis9163]

I agree with you u are smart❤u think like I do❤

[@cathyjerome1662]

Any animal care Come such along WAY ! Caged animals really don't exit anymore ! So agreed I've learned ALOT from ALL of videos I choose to watch . Don't agree then don't watch np ! My FERRETS/ all animals I HAVE I learned alot . Even my cocktiels are out of cage ! Raw is GREAT but my ferrets eat kibble and raw ! Not fully raw just meats I now add to soupie and kibble but the do GREAT on mixed so far . Love your video's and babies

[@alienscientist8893]

Hummm I think if you're vegan you shouldn't have a carnivore pet.. I found my ferret half dead, I think he's quite old but it's taken ages and cost me a fortune finding the food he actually will eat,, there's no kibble he even looks at,, he won't eat any type of liver,, but loves mince beef and chicken wings or drumsticks. They eat most of the bone as well. There's one type of cat food it will eat as last resort. Ideally what you should feed them is easy but that disregards what the ferret will actually eat,, ideally I'd give my ferrets mice, rabbits, chicks etc.. Close as what they were bread to eat.. But he won't eat that!!! Doesn't ferret mean, mouse eating, stinking thief!! But yeah I guess I agrea with much of what you say,, one good thing I've learned is,, mince meat is a great way to stop them biting and they eat more and you can use it to train them, so carry a small amount in your pocket and always feed them by hand... They sleep so much so make the most of the time you get with them.. They love you unbelievably as well but make sure they also can eat alone without you...

[@loverboyn-n-SoupBrain]

The if you know everything you won't look for more info thing might apply to Nero typical people but animals and especially ferrets are something I'm very hyper fixated on so even though I have binders full of Info written down about them I still constantly watch videos even if I disagree so that I can learn more and understand different opinions

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodFerrets]

Hahaha I'm the same way. I have ADHD and I often find myself spending a few days digging deep into something purely because of a hyper fixation (like the research I'm doing for my kibble videos). Sharing the stuff I find when I go digging is one of the reasons I made my channel :D it's a good way for me to use that information