Ferret and cat under one roof

On the Internet, you can find many photos in which cats and ferrets play together, bask together on the same couch, and even eat together. But this is not always the case. We will talk about how ferrets and cats get along under the same roof in our article.

Cats and ferrets have a lot in common. They are ideal for home keeping: compact, do not require long walks, very affectionate, active and just love to play.

For many owners, such a duet becomes a real salvation: hyperactive pets entertain each other themselves, which is very useful after a long day at work. But there is another side. Both ferrets and cats are predators by nature, and not just predators, but competitors. In the wild, they lead a similar lifestyle, prey on birds and rodents. And yet both of them have a difficult character, demanding and, as a rule, do not give themselves offense.

Cohabitation of ferrets and cats under the same roof develops according to two opposite scenarios: they either become best friends, or they ignore each other, entering into conflict at the slightest opportunity. But we hasten to please you: the relationship of pets largely depends not on the animals themselves, but on the owner: on how he organizes their interaction, how he divides the space. Therefore, if you really want to get both a ferret and a cat, you have every chance of making them friends, but you need to act smoothly.

Ideally, it is better to take a small ferret and a small kitten. Pets that grow up together are more likely to bond.
If a new pet appears in a house where there is already a guard pet, the main task of the owner is not to rush things and correctly delimit the space. At first, it is better to keep pets in different rooms so that they do not come into contact with each other and gradually get used to each other’s smells.
It is better to introduce a cat and a ferret after a period of “quarantine”, when the pets were kept in different parts of the apartment. If the pets react badly to each other, do not insist and breed them again. Please try again later.
As an introduction, let the cat near the enclosure in which the ferret is located. This will give them the opportunity to sniff each other, while remaining completely intact.
There is another secret that will help make friends with small households. Pick up both pets and pet them. Sitting in the arms of the owner, they will understand that both are needed and loved.
The cat and ferret should have separate toys, beds, bowls and trays. It is important that they receive the same portion of attention from the owner, otherwise jealousy will arise. Your goal is to create conditions so that the ferret and the cat have nothing to compete with.
Feed the cat and ferret separately, from different bowls and in different parts of the apartment. This is necessary so that they do not feel like competitors.
Pets should have their own shelter, which will not be invaded by the second. For a cat, this can be a couch installed at a height, and for a ferret, an aviary cage with a cozy mink house.
The path to friendship between a ferret and a cat lies through … games. Once your pets get used to each other, involve them in fun activities together more often.
Both pets should be spayed. This will have a positive effect on their behavior.

Do not leave your cat and ferret alone without supervision. Especially at first. Even if the animals have become friends, they can play out too much and injure each other.
The house must have a special aviary-cage for a ferret. This pet house is a guarantee of its safety. When you are not at home, it is better to close the ferret in the aviary so that they cannot freely contact the cat.
Experts do not recommend having an adult ferret and a kitten in the same apartment, and vice versa. Remember that cats and ferrets are competitors. They can harm the cubs of the “foreign” camp.
It is better not to bring a ferret into a house where a cat lives, which prefers a sedentary lifestyle. Otherwise, the ferret simply will not let her pass.
To keep your pets healthy, treat both of them regularly for parasites and vaccinate them. Do not forget about preventive visits to the veterinarian.