I am really chomping at the bit to get ferrets again. I don't want a pair right this second (well, I do, but my gut says the time isn't right), but in the next year I'm really hoping the time will be right. However, when I was discussing it with Mike, he raised a valid point of not really wanting ferrets caged in the house since it is a rental and he's 1.) not sure how our landlord would appreciate ferrets and 2.) ferrets + destruction kind of goes hand and hand. However, I think he's remembering what my bedroom looked like after 6 years of having ferrets free roam except for when I was sleeping...I know it won't be that bad when they're not allowed to free roam without supervision, but he doesn't quite understand that. LOL
We have a very nice garden shed in our backyard and I was just toying with the idea today of maybe keeping a cage in the shed? I know ferrets are heat sensitive, but I also know keeping them outdoors is pretty common in Europe, so that it can be done...? I just wasn't sure how significant their heat sensitivity is. Are we talking along the lines of an average coated dog's heat sensitivity (be smart, provide artificial methods of cooling, bring in on super hot days) or like...'no matter what measures are taken, if the air temperature is above X degrees, regardless of shade/cool spots/breeze, death is imminent' heat sensitivity?
They obviously wouldn't be kept outside in their cage all day long with no playtime/interactions....I've owned ferrets before. Fully anticipate on spoiling any future fuzzbutt the same as my past, just having their cage in a different location to appease DH. Would totally be open to bringing the cage indoors/into the garage (natural lighting, don't worry - the dogs' crates are in there) during really hot icky months.
In the end, I'm going to go with what my gut says and what I think would be best for everyone involved...and if that means not getting ferrets, that means not getting ferrets. Or if that means getting ferrets and being smart about the weather, that means getting ferrets and being smart about the weather. However, I want to make the most informed decision possible, so...anybody have any experience with keeping ferrets outdoors?
We have a very nice garden shed in our backyard and I was just toying with the idea today of maybe keeping a cage in the shed? I know ferrets are heat sensitive, but I also know keeping them outdoors is pretty common in Europe, so that it can be done...? I just wasn't sure how significant their heat sensitivity is. Are we talking along the lines of an average coated dog's heat sensitivity (be smart, provide artificial methods of cooling, bring in on super hot days) or like...'no matter what measures are taken, if the air temperature is above X degrees, regardless of shade/cool spots/breeze, death is imminent' heat sensitivity?
They obviously wouldn't be kept outside in their cage all day long with no playtime/interactions....I've owned ferrets before. Fully anticipate on spoiling any future fuzzbutt the same as my past, just having their cage in a different location to appease DH. Would totally be open to bringing the cage indoors/into the garage (natural lighting, don't worry - the dogs' crates are in there) during really hot icky months.
In the end, I'm going to go with what my gut says and what I think would be best for everyone involved...and if that means not getting ferrets, that means not getting ferrets. Or if that means getting ferrets and being smart about the weather, that means getting ferrets and being smart about the weather. However, I want to make the most informed decision possible, so...anybody have any experience with keeping ferrets outdoors?