Ferrets and kitten.

[Tumbleweed 1]

I have four ferrets that are used to going out rabbiting. I'm getting an 8 week old kitten next week. Are the ferrets likely to hurt the kitten when I try to introduce them? I've seen ferrets and cats playing well together but not sure which way around the introduction would have been made.

 

The ferrets are all jills, two of which have had one litter of kits (wondered if a maternal instinct might kick in for a baby rather than attack lol).

[stubby 175]

why's there a need to introduce them at all

 

we have chickens and rabbits, never let them "meet" the ferts

[Tumbleweed 1]

Just thought it would be easier if they all got along lol. Don't have to worry if cat is about when I bring the ferrets in then... or that's the theory...

[albert64 1,882]

would,nt put a cat any where near ferrets they carry disease,s that kill ferrets in a crack

[watson 1]

my ferrets are ok with dogs and the cat stays away from the ferrets. put it this way cats can run faster than ferrets haaaha

[jacrabbit 0]

I think ferrets can get along fine with cats. Best thing to do is let the kitten get a bit bigger and more able to stand up for its self. Then let the kitten see the ferrets throw the cage so they get used to each other. Then get one ferret out at a time put it on a harness so you have some control and let them have a meet up. As long as it don’t turn nasty. You can do this a few time till you feel safe to let them play. But I would not put the kitten with all the ferrets as it would be out numbered and the ferrets may see it as an intruder. Just does it slow bit by bit? But let kitty get bigger first.

[The one 8,463]

Need to watch the ferrets for cat flu mate its a killer

[jacrabbit 0]

i think if the cat had cat flu he would know about it . and most kittens /cats are vaccinated against it. make shore your kitty getts his vaccinations.

[marshall298 0]

my cat keeps well away from my ferrets best way to keep them both safe

[Tumbleweed 1]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions. I hadn't considered that they shared the same illnesses, I thought ferrets were more prone to dog illnesses for some reason.

 

The kitten would have its jabs before going outside anyway and is coming from a good home. All the kittens in the litter look healthy, as do mum and dad.

 

I will consider things carefully, which is why I was seeking other opinions and experiences .

[ferret lady 73]

I wouldn't recommend letting the ferrets have direct contact with the kitten untl the kitten is at least 3 months old, and then cautiously after that. My cats were both full grown when I got my first ferrets, and they quickly learned to stay high up when the ferrets were out. The only ferrets which might be safe with a kitten/cat are the early neutered US ferrets which have been bred for an extremely docile temperament so that most appear to have very weak hunting instincts.

 

Apart from skin diseases (rare in both cats and ferrets), it's highly unlikely that cats would pass on any diseases to the ferrets. I have never read or heard anything to indicate that any specific cat diseases are contagious to ferrets.

[salukiman 28]

I have four ferrets that are used to going out rabbiting. I'm getting an 8 week old kitten next week. Are the ferrets likely to hurt the kitten when I try to introduce them? I've seen ferrets and cats playing well together but not sure which way around the introduction would have been made.

 

The ferrets are all jills, two of which have had one litter of kits (wondered if a maternal instinct might kick in for a baby rather than attack lol).

 

 

dont do it or it will end in tears your ferrets will most likely become ill and pass on i dont know exactly why it happens but it happened to me and now i will never let a cat near them ever again

 

take note or you will be putting your ferrets in unecesery danger

[jacrabbit 0]

That’s disgusting, why do I get the feeling there are a lot of cat haters on this forum. I would shoot anyone who hurt my cat. I think people who hate cats just don’t have the intelligence to understand them. I use to have a cat that took wild rabbits better than any dog. Took that cat out over the fields with me and the dog couldn’t get a better hunter. Broke my heart when he died. Remember, even if you don’t like cats they are someone’s pet and they are loved you should not hurt a cat anymore than you would want someone to hurt your dog just because they don’t like dogs. I wonder if you care about the heart you broke when they cat never came home or the nights of crying and pain that the owner went throw never know if there cat was alive or if that sound outside was there cat come home. People like you have no heart

[labsnlurchers 39]

This one decided not to bolt so my mates three legged hob despatched it

A working ferret will kill a kitten with ease and one of my partners old hob had a good go with the neighbours adult tom cat when he escaped a few years ago! I wouldn't introduce them at all, in fact i think i would try my best to keep them away from each other! They won't be working together so theres no need imo. ATB

[MuttleMcTuttle 21]

This one decided not to bolt so my mates three legged hob despatched it

 

Well that is bloody revolting... Holding up a dead cat and grinning like the idiot you are makes you look like a really big man, doesn't it? Gosh, I wish I was that hard so I could kill kittens and smirk about it too...