Which is a better pet Chinchilla or Ferret

[Bec]

I would definitely say Ferrets! They are like 24/7 kittens that never grow up! They are so funny.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

We've had ferrets and while they are a lot of fun, they are also A LOT of work. Keeping their cage odor free is a daily job. They need lots of out of cage exercise and playtime.

I don't know anything about chins.

There are usually chins and ferrets that need homes and are in rescue.

 

[vfem]

My ferrets were always so fun and interactional! More like a small dog.. lots of responsibility... but worth the effort for the friendships we had with our ferrets (I miss them terribly but they were rescues who grew old and happy with us.)

My aunt had a chinchilla and it was very timid... not as easy to handle... not really the type to want to play with toys or chill on my lap.

I'm a ferret girl

Just know what you are getting into, they are NOT cheap and you need to give them lots of extra attention... AND recliners are the #1 killer of ferrets... so don't have a recliner!!!!

 

[Kanchii]

Chins aren't nearly as social with people as ferrets are. But the ferrets you have to pretty much train like a cat/dog or they'll run amuck! But Chins aren't as cuddly and sweet as people think they are.

 

[cutiepieacres]

I have had both.

I had 4 ferrets and loved them!! I couldn't stand the smell though and cleaned their cage constantly. I love the way they played and how much attention they always wanted. They do need to have a good quality diet which can be hard to find and I spent lots in toys, they were always asking for more! lol While they weren't cuddly they really enjoyed playing and always came bounding out to me.

Chins, I used to breed and had well over 40 but at this point I just have 2 as pets. Chins are pretty sensitive to their environment you need to make sure everything is just right and pet stores offer almost nothing correct as far as chinchillas go. The cages are full of plastic, the treats full of sugar and oil and food usually full of junk. Make sure you do your research before getting one or lots of problems can arise from bloat, to bowl obstruction and malocclusion. www.chins-n-hedgies.com is a wonderful chinchilla dedicated forum with tons of the right info.
With the right care and getting a well socialized baby, chins can be super interactive and hardy. Both my boys love coming out and jumping around on me, I cant say they sit still and want to cuddle really ever but they are for sure spoiled and sweet I don't know what I would do without their company. They come running right up when they hear me, practically leaping out of the cage if I open the door and its so much fun to watch them run on their flying saucer wheel and race around the cage.

 

[BarbK]

I second what thebritt and Robins Brood both said. Ferrets are great but you have got to be willing to fork out the money for the health. they do take a lot of cleaning to keep the smell down. They also need a good diet or the poop will smell worse. Also ferrets are not cage animals as so many think. They need at least 4 hours a day out of cage and ferret proofing your house is worse than child proofing. I had one that was an escape artist and would go visit my neighbors. The little stink thought it was a game.
Check out the ferretvillage and ferretopia forums. You can get a lot of answers there and there are a lot of knowledgeable people there. Also there are some breeders if you want to try and get ahold of one that is not a puppy mill type ferret like marshal farms, path valley and petersons.

 

[tonini3059]

I made my decision I'm getting a chinchilla..well 3 actually. There was an add for them on craigslist so I am going to rescue them. It is a mom, dad, and son. I am going to pick them up on Sunday. Today I am going to buy a cage so I can separate the mom form the father and son. Hopefully she is not already pregnant

We have what is called the critter room in our house and we have all of our snakes, tarantulas, fish, dart frogs, geckos, incubators and baby chicks and etc in there so they will can have play time in there it is safe...don't worry the snakes cannot get out and get then their cages have locks on them. We have a spare bedroom to keep them in that we can keep a little cooler than the rest of the house for them.

 

[cutiepieacres]

That is awesome that they will be in a home that is better prepared for chins!!!

be prepared with a baby safe cage, wire spacing no bigger then 1/2" x 1/2" and no multi levels as most likely she is pregnant as like with most small animals they come into heat right after baby is born. How old is the baby? They should be weaned around 8 weeks old.

I would be feeding her a good quality chin pellet, small amounts of alfalfa hay unlimited grass hay and give her a cuttle bone(for calcium). Check her teeth they should be a nice rich orange if they are white or almost white she is deficient in calcium.

If baby is older than 3 months I would say no dust baths for mom. They cant have dust baths within 10 days either way of the birth, there is a risk of infection. So if you think she may be due just hold off.

 

[tonini3059]

I am not sure what age they are. What brand is considered good? They are coming with food and accessories, so I was not sure what food they are currently eating and if it is good to pick some up. I did buy some alfalfa with dandelion in it and some chew sticks carefresh bedding and some other odds and ends. I will see what they come with tomorrow and buy more accordingly. I was looking for one of those saucer wheels, but could not find one.

 

[cutiepieacres]

Mazuri or Purina advanced nutrition show rabbit are both great brands.
Here is the flying saucer, not cheap but well worth it and the "look a like" plastic ones at the petstores are junk and cannot hold an adult chin in any fashion
http://www.chin-chillas.com/exercisewheels.html

just be prepared to throw away anything junkie, when it comes to chins its not worth it to keep using anything that isnt quality. If the food is just green pellets you can mix whatever you buy half and half to have a slower switch to be easier on the tummy but if its just junk food with lots of colored pieces, nuts, fruit sometimes a cold switch is for the better.

the forum I recommend will have all the info you need regarding cages, food, toys, wheels, everything and will be super helpful since she is probably pregnant. www.chins-n-hedgies.com