Ferrets vs Beardies

[DeweysMom]

I used to have a trio of ferrets. My last one had to be euthanized on Oct 27, 2007 because of health issues (she was 7.5 years old). Those of you who are familiar with ferrets knows how mischeivous they can be. They're curious beyond belief and will constantly put themselves in danger to check things out. Your house has to be ferret proofed to ensure their safety. They also poop a LOT and have a musky odor.

Anyway, the reason I'm writing this is because I'd like to your opinions on how owning a ferret is like (or not like) owning a beardie. Any thoughts are welcome, but below are my main questions.

1 - Ferrets poop a lot and it can smell pretty badly. I'm reading that most beardies will poop about once a day, but does it smell as bad a ferret's? Weird question I know, but I want a rough idea on what I'm getting into.

2 - Do beardies have an odor? I'm going to stay on top of the cage cleaning and bathing, but as an animal do they have a smell? Is it at all comparable to a ferret?

3 - Ferrets can be vocal as they hiss, grunt, and make those weird dooking noises. Do beardies make any noises other than hissing?

4 - Regarding house proofing. Are beardies as wreckless and curious as ferrets? I will always supervise my beardie while he's out loose, but do I need to go as overboard to beardie proof my house than I did with the ferrets?

PS. Don't worry, I'm NOT getting anymore ferrets so there's no risk at all with the two of them encountering each other.

 

[Astrael]

I've owned two ferrets in my life. One made it to 11. Both were rescued from less then ideal conditions. I loved them. They terrorized the family cats (seriously, you didn't wanna make them mad). And I swear for 10 years afterward we were finding things that had been hidden by them. I can see the appeal. So, as someone who's owned and loved both I'll try to answer as best as possible.

1 - Ferrets poop a lot and it can smell pretty badly. I'm reading that most beardies will poop about once a day, but does it smell as bad a ferret's? Weird question I know, but I want a rough idea on what I'm getting into.

This depends on a few things. When beardies get sick, it smells far worse. However, this doesn't happen often. Beardies also poop a lot less then ferrets. Beardies can be trained to poop in a bath extremely easily (only way Nexus ever does, since he was tiny). That cuts the smell a LOT. Honestly, I find beardies are easier to deal with in that regard, but each animal is different.

2 - Do beardies have an odor? I'm going to stay on top of the cage cleaning and bathing, but as an animal do they have a smell? Is it at all comparable to a ferret?

Technically, no. There's no real innate smell from them. We keep ours on a clay substrate, so they pick up a slight earthy smell from that which I actually like. But definitely less stinky. No contest there.

3 - Ferrets can be vocal as they hiss, grunt, and make those weird dooking noises. Do beardies make any noises other than hissing?

Unless you count them knocking something around to bonking into glass, or scratching at the glass, then no. Our ferrets were actually pretty quiet. But the beardies are nearly silent until they want to be heard. Which might never happen.

4 - Regarding house proofing. Are beardies as wreckless and curious as ferrets? I will always supervise my beardie while he's out loose, but do I need to go as overboard to beardie proof my house than I did with the ferrets?

This one is tough for me to answer. Both our beardies are extremely predictable. They go to certain areas, and Nexus will only explore if John or I are present and aware of his location. If we're unsure of where he is, and we call for him, he'll make noise or shuffle towards us. As for beardie proofing, mostly common sense things. They won't chew on wires like ferrets, etc. My beardies are rather calm and well behaved. Some people's beardies will hide in hard to get to places, etc. That's something you'll have to base on your beardie's personality and behavior. Some are very curious. Ours are also slow. They take a few steps, chill, look around, another few steps... Not hard to keep an eye on while you watch tv. Many beardies will go to a favorite spot and just stay there. Like in a window, or curled up in a comfy spot.

PS. Don't worry, I'm NOT getting anymore ferrets so there's no risk at all with the two of them encountering each other.

They are fun, but very demanding. I'm in too poor of health to handle ferret care (can't have anything with hair anyway), but the beardies are great since they're so calm. Which is the largest difference, beardies are rather independent and calm. Ferrets are all the fun you can handle and then some. It's two different worlds. I'd probably still choose a beardie over a ferret. Nexus is surprisingly affectionate in his own lizard way. And Loki is a doofus, a snuggly doofus. Good luck.

 

[hfoskey0465]

i HAVE HAD MY BEARDIE FOR ABOUT 6 MO AND HE IS ALOT MORE WORK THATN FERRETS i HAVE OWNED THEY HAVE SO MANY DIET AND TEMP ISSUES FERRETS ARE SO MUCH EASIER IN MY OPINION i HAVE HAD FERRETS DESCENTD ONES AND i TRAINED THEM TO USE A LITTER BOX SO I KNEW WHERE THEY WOULD MAKE A DUMP MY BEARDIE CHOOSES A NEW AREA EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS SO I HAVE ALOT MORE TO CLEAN UP HINT USE ALPHAE PELLETS NOT SAND SAND IS HARDR TO CLEAN UP THE MESS ALL IN ALL IF YOU THOUGHT YOUR FERRET WAS A PROBLEM DONT GET A BEARDIE I GUESS ITS AL ABOUT COMMITMENT I LOVED BOTH SO IT WAS HARD AT TIMES BUT THEY BOTH HAVE THEIR REWARDS THEY BOTH GIVE LOVE IN DIFFERNT WAYS

 

[pudden318]

I use to have 4 ferrets and now own 7 beardies, i love them both but id take my beardies over my ferrets any day. Right now as i type my big boy nuiscance rest on my chest enjoying snuggle time where as if it was a ferret it probably would have took off and stole something to hide by now. I love all animals i breed toy yorkies have cats, rats fish, turttles (a small zoo) but i love my beardies most of all.

 

[RolandKyramere]

I've never actually kept ferrets, and I do love playing with them, however, I would not give up my beardies for the world. I've found that they have quite a bit of personality (especially when they are bratty teenagers!) and I have never had any issues with the scent. As long as you clean up after them every time the poo, then you won't have any issues. Plus, they make great homework buddies!

 

[Sea2SJK]

I'll take beardies over ferrets because they don't have foul ordor like a ferret and no litter on the carpet.
Also beardies love to be petted more than ferret.
I can still see the urinate spot from my ferret and she died couple years ago. I steam vaccumed it couple times but that's just not enough.
But you will have to prepare the food for your beardie yourself while you can just fill up the dried food once a while for ferret.