Pets that are similar to ferrets

You may live in a country that either prohibits ferrets or gives strict legal regulations about ferrets and are looking for an alternative pet that is similar in nature with ferrets.

Perhaps even just the simple fact that you do not get along with ferrets, or are allergic to them, can make you want to get an alternative but similar pet. 

Read along to get recommendations on other small, playful, and domestic pets like ferrets. 

Six pets that are like ferrets. 

Guinea Pigs 

Guinea pigs are as playful and outgoing as ferrets. They can play for up to 4 hours a day.

They love to play with other guinea pigs, toys, and even human beings. This makes them one of the best children friendly pets, as they are very social beings.

Always be careful with the toys you give your guinea pigs. Rubber toys are not good as they will chew on them, hence leading to choking once swallowed. Plastic toys are the best choice of toys for your guinea pig. 

Guinea pigs also love cuddling and thanks to their long life span of up to 8 years, then you will get attached to each other. 

Guinea pigs are strictly herbivores and eat nothing other than plants. 

Gerbils.

These tiny furry beings are like ferrets in that they are also as playful. Therefore, if you are looking for another child-friendly pet your children can play with, then gerbils are it.

They can live up to 6 years if well taken care of. 

They are crepuscular beings, meaning they are active both day and night. Ferrets love being petted and cuddles, but know how to pet them. Ferrets if mishandled can bite you very painfully. They also dislike noises, hence recommended for much bigger children who do not make so much noise. 

The major difference between gerbils and ferrets is that gerbils are omnivores while ferrets are strictly carnivorous. 

Rabbits.

Rabbits are like ferrets in terms of their sizes. They are both among the biggest small pets to have with ferrets growing to approximately 15 inches and rabbits to 18 inches.

It is therefore a requirement that you have large spaces and cages for them to play around and sleep.

Rabbits are social and love and affection. If you are looking for a long-term pet, then we would highly recommend rabbits as they have a long life span of up to 12 years. 

Unlike ferrets, rabbits are herbivores, so they only eat plant-based and vegetable-based diets. They cannot digest any type of meat. 

Cats.

Cats just like ferrets are carnivores. They eat high protein in terms of meat and low carbs. They are also both predators and you will always catch them both trying to prey on rats, mice, reptiles like lizards and chameleons and birds. 

Ferrets and cats are also spotless pets that clean and groom themselves, and you will not have to worry about their hygiene. These similarities make them get along together and play together. 

Get yourself a cat and enjoy cuddles. 

Hamsters.

Hamsters are tiny, 6 inches long, furry beings that are often known for their energetic nature. They love to play indoors with their fellows and toys. 

Hamsters have a lifespan of 3 years at most and if you are not looking for a long-term life pet, hamsters are it. Hamsters, just like the gerbil’s diet, mainly comprise fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and grains of any kind. 

On the downside, hamsters are nocturnal and may not be the best if you are looking to enjoy your sound sleep after a long day or you have an infant. They make noises and movements at night that may be a little bit loud and being indoor pets, keeping them outside is not an alternative. 

Chinchillas. 

Chinchillas are often mistaken for ferrets because of their appearance. They do have similar characteristics such as their clean, odorless, hence low maintenance and cuddly nature.

They can both survive in cold temperatures and in fact dislike hot weather conditions. 

The major differences however between chinchillas and ferrets are that Chinchillas are herbivores, while ferrets are carnivores and chinchillas have a longer lifespan of 20 years, while ferrets can live up to 10 years at most.

It is wise that you choose what is best for you after doing avid research on all of them and basing your decision of your commitment and preference. 

Other Questions

What is the cleanest pet to own?

Some world’s cleanest and low maintenance pets to own are cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. 

Cats are well known for their hygiene, they clean themselves and they are easy to litter train. You are less likely to find messes near where cats live as often, once they help themselves on the litter box, they burry it if there is soil available. 

Rabbits are also very easy to litter train, and rarely will you find them ever in a dirty environment. They have no odor and when they are matured enough; they love to clean themselves by licking their fur, hence removing dust and dirt. 

With hamsters, you rarely have to wash them. Just like cats and rabbits, they take time to groom themselves. In terms of litter training, hamsters take quite longer to litter train and you therefore need to clean their cages as often as possible to prevent diseases. 

Guinea pigs are known for their fastidious nature. They can even fall ill if in a dirty place. You will rarely find them dirtying a place therefore you have less work with taking care of guinea pigs.  

Most people think that rats being rodents that move around everywhere up to even sewers and dustbins, are very dirty, but they are even cleaner than cats and dogs. They spend many hours a day grooming them. They are among the cleanest rodents to keep as pets. 

Do ferrets like other pets?

Ferrets are social and playful pets, and they can get along and bond with other pets well if trained and, above all, under supervision to prevent accidents. 

They get along well with cats the most because of their similarities in nature as concerns what they eat and their size. Ferrets are afraid of dogs because dogs see them as prey and may scratch and nip on them or eventually kill them. 

Ferrets are also predators, and they see smaller animals than them not as pets, but as prey. You should therefore keep all rodents like rats, mice, fish, rabbits, birds, and reptiles away from your ferret. 

Are ferrets afraid of cats?

Ferrets and cats have many similar characteristics. Among them are that they are both carnivores and predators. These features make them get along and play together therefore ferrets are not afraid of cats. 

On the contrary, cats, especially kittens, are afraid of ferrets. This is because ferrets are rough when they are playing. They use their sharp claws and teeth, which are a threat to the kittens. 

Not all cats and not all ferrets can get along together just as not all human beings can get along hence monitor your ferrets reaction to your cat and your cats to your ferret to see if there is any hostility hence know how to act accordingly. If you are bringing either of the two as a new pet, introduce them slowly till they get used to each other.

Training is all it takes and you will have a loving home with pets that don’t fear each other!