My ferret is sad. Should I get him a companion? Male or female ferret?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! So that is a little but if a tricky question, as some ferrets do better as “only” pets and some do well with a playmate. Another male ferret would be a fine idea, and you can start by getting them used to each other by housing their cages next to each other to allow them to get used to each other without touching. This can then progress to supervised play periods together outside their cages to ensure that they will get along. Good luck!

I'm so sorry you are facing this situation! How horrible to lose a beloved dog but to also have to worry about Bentley at the same time. Given that he does better with another animal, yes I would get another dog for the home. It's fine to get a smaller dog, and while it doesn't make a difference if you get a boy or a girl, I would make sure the dog is eventually neutered or spayed as soon as it's old enough. It might be a good idea to get one now so the transition for Bentley isn't as difficult when he loses his companion. I hope this helps!

I'm so sorry to hear that Gum lost his partner. That certainly can be difficult for a dog. Adding another dog to the house may certainly be good for him. In general, we recommend that a male and female dog will tend to get along the best if you have your option of genders. Depending on how long it will take you to add another dog to the house, another thing you could consider if needed would be adding a Bach Flower Essence like Rescue Remedy ( http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/ ) which can be added to the water and help with emotional problems. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of Loki's brother! Just like people, pets can experience depression and can mourn the loss of their human and pet companions. Taking some extra time to give Loki attention, extra cuddles and pets, a favorite treat or toy or just making sure he's still eating and drinking and being well cared for can all help. Just like with people, it can take some time to heal. Once he's feeling a bit better, adding in a new friend, or just continuing to spend time together can help. If you're having trouble yourself coping with the loss of your other ferret, websites such as The Rainbow Bridge may help give you a place to chat and find some peace of mine during your time of loss.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Ferrets make excellent pets as they like to interact with humans and other ferrets, are naturally playful, and accept a variety of foods. However, it is important to keep their home cage clean as they have a faster intestinal transit time (meaning up to 4 bowel movements per day) and make sure that your home is “ferret-proofed” to avoid foreign body obstructions and injuries. You should also make sure that your city allows ferrets to be kept as pets, as they are illegal in certain areas. Good luck with your potential new pet!

Hello! I would recommend having all male pet rats neutered. The surgery for neutering male rats is easier and less invasive than in female rats. Intact male rats will likely fight with other male rats and mate with any females (which leads to a LOT of babies) and neither behavior is ideal for companion pets! I would suggest having Ted neutered then introducing him to a friend a couple of weeks after he has recovered from the procedure. I often urge people to try fostering when they are adding pets. This allows you to introduce the two animals and ensure they get along well before you commit to adoption. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Oh my goodness your fur babies are adorable!! I recommend introducing them while Mack is young. He will be a very large dog when full grown. It is best he learns how to behave with with ferrets now, so he gets used to them. I would have Mack on a leash at all times when the ferrets are out. This is a great time to teach Mack how to "leave it" when he attempts to chase or mouth the ferrets.Knowing now, rather than later, that he will be aggressive or violent with them will give you time to fix the behavior or to avoid their interactions. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck!