Ferret VS. Rabbit

The best way to make this ferret-rabbit comparison is to tabulate it, and here goes something:

VariableFerretsRabbits
FeedingThese animals are obligate carnivores.Bunnies are obligate herbivores and strict vegetarians.
Active timesFerrets operate during the day, and thus, they are diurnal. However, they can adapt to their prey.Rabbits are active during the twilight periods, or crepuscular if you like.
Teeth form and functionThe teeth of ferrets are much like those of cats – they are meant to rip flesh from bones. Also, the teeth do not grow continuously like those of rabbits.Rabbit teeth are meant for chewing vegetation. The two front teeth keep growing throughout the rabbit’s life.
Sleep timeFerrets sleep more than rabbits – around 18 hours a day.Rabbits sleep like human beings –upwards of 8 hours every day.
Shape and form of toesFerrets do have fleshy toes.The toes and feet of rabbits are covered with fur.
Climbing prowessFerrets can successfully attempt climbing up a tree.Rabbits stay on or below the ground and not on trees – they cannot climb.
Life expectancy and health issuesFerrets stay alive for around ten years. However, at age 3, they start developing health issues.Pet rabbits can stay alive for between 8 and 12 years. They can only last three years in the wild.

Well, isn’t that an excellent way to start the article? In the part that follows, you will know why both ferrets and rabbits are good options. If you’re here because you’re torn between a pet ferret and a pet rabbit, worry no more. You’ll get to know the finer details. Read on.

Why A Ferret Is A Good House Pet

While ferrets are not animals to be owned by everyone (as they are exotic), they can make the best pets for the right owner. They are one of the most affectionate little animals, and they are out to form strong bonds with their pet parents. The best thing you should know about ferrets is that they are super playful. However, ferrets seem to have become infamous and garnered a gloomy picture among animal lovers, a largely unnecessary thing. If you are keenly looking at getting a pet ferret, here are some reasons why they make the best pets:

1. They Are Charming

With their sweet faces and mischievous eyes, it would be unfair, wrong, and unacceptable not to call them adorable. They have a small size that any pet family can accommodate. For up to 10 years, you can have a lovely ferret to yourself. Usually, ferrets grow to a length of 14 inches, and they weigh two and a half pounds at most. As compared to their female counterparts, male ferrets are more extensive and grow as long as 16 inches. If neutered, the male can weigh around three and a half pounds, and if not, they can go up to 4 or more pounds. 

2. Ferrets Are Curiously Playful

Ferrets perform many antics that will entertain you and your family endlessly. If they have toys, the ferret will happily play with them. If you love watching pets, it will be delightful to see a playing ferret – a lot of joy will be evoked from that experience.

Actually, it has already been proven that pet owners get benefits because of the affection and the joy that their pets bring. So, your happiness could be in that ferret that is waiting for you to adopt them.

3. Ferrets Are Affection, Friendly, And Pleasant

While it is not essential, pet experts recommend that you get more than one ferret, preferably a male, and a female. This will help the ferrets to have fun on their own and impress their pet parents at the same time. Despite the presence of the other ferrets, you will see that both of them will fight and crave your attention.

4. Ferrets Are Smart

Some owners find it very impressive how adept ferrets can become when problems are brought to their attention. Actually, they are very determined and will try working smart to figure out the solution to something. They do it persistently. For example, you will find them solving challenging games and puzzles once you provide them with relevant games and toys.

5. Ferrets Are Awfully Quiet

While they do and can vocalize, for the more significant part, these animals are incredibly quiet. The times that they make the moist noises is when they get frightened or injured. Since ferrets sleep away for most of the day, they don’t give themselves chances to noise around.

6. Ferrets Take The Least Space Since They Are Small Critters

If you want to live with a ferret, you will not need to buy or make a giant cage. Ferret cages are actually tall and have multiple levels. This means that they don’t take a lot of lateral space.

Although they take very little space, ferrets like to move around. If you manage to get one, allow them to stay outside the cage for exercise and play.

7. It Is Easy To Feed Ferrets

At the moment, there are plenty of good-quality food options for ferrets. Apart from that, premade ferret food has been made available by online retailers and pet stores. This means that you have so many low-effort options to take on.

8. Fetters Can Be Trained To Use The Litter Box

Since ferrets are smart animals, it will not be challenging to train them to make their doodies in a box. However, they are likely to make a mistake here and there. You can use a litter box both in and out of the ferret’s cage.

9. It Is Easy To Exercise Ferrets

Once you get a ferret-sized leash or harness, you can always take your cute little pet out on walks. Some strangers sitting at the park will gladly start a conversation about you and your pet ferret.

10. There Is No One Personality Or Temperament For All Ferrets

All ferrets have distinct and different personalities. While some are independent, others are cuddly. If you want to get yourself a pet ferret, it would be great first to meet a few of them. You will judge their personality variations and get a sense of what it means to own a ferret.

Now’s the time to switch to the rabbit side of the discussion:

Why A Rabbit Is A Good House Pet

So, you want to get a rabbit, and you’ve probably heard that they are incredibly good beginner pets. Unlike the expectations of many people, rabbits are a lot of work. Apart from having strict dietary needs, they also need to socialize and engage in daily exercise. But rabbits are bundles of joy and are genuinely lovely pets.

You may be asking if they make good pets. Well, let me answer you – rabbits are affectionate and socially unique pets. If you take a reasonable amount of time socializing them, you will see great house pets. You will wrap your head around to understand the basics of the rabbit’s body language. Before you get a pet bunny, ensure that you prepare thoroughly.

As you go through this ‘pros’ list, the advice is that you shouldn’t rush. If a rabbit is the pet friend you want to have, be ready to take up any and every challenge that might come your way. Rabbits are fantastic, and you will like them if you got one. Here are some of the pros of getting, owning, and having a pet rabbit:

1. Rabbits Are Quite Quiet (Don’t Get Your Tongue Twisted!)

While rabbits can make sounds, they are in the top half of the quietest pets. They are not dogs, so they won’t break out barking in the middle of the night. Also, they are not cats, so they won’t meow to get your attention. Arguably, mice are noisier than rabbits since they squeak and rabbits do not.

So, if you live in a close-together house or an apartment, you won’t have to worry about your pet rabbit annoying the neighbors. If you’re a person that enjoys a quiet lifestyle, a rabbit is probably the best match for you. You two will occupy the same place and space, and you won’t stress each other out.

The only noises that rabbits will make are when they start thumping their hind legs when they get scared or angry. Do not underestimate the sound of the thumping since it can get surprisingly loud. When they begin thumping the floor, it could be one of the following two things:

a) Your pet rabbit may be angry or frustrated with you. In this case, he or she will sound one loud thump. This will be enough to let you know the extent of his or her disappointment with you.

b) Your rabbit may be trying to warn you about something that he or she is scared about. Here, the rabbit will thump continuously. Also, his behavior will make him have a very alert and rigid body position.

As a new pet parent to a rabbit, you are likely to hear your rabbit sounding thumps at some point. Take note that it is not typical behavior, so you should attend to it when you feel like it. 

If everything seems fine, but the rabbit keeps thumping, it could be that there is a scary thing around, like a vacuum cleaner.

2. Rabbits Can Be Guided And Trained To Use A Litter Box

You should know that rabbits of all kinds – wild or domestic – poop a lot. But, it becomes easy to clean the droppings of your pet rabbit once it gets litter trained. If the pet you adopted or bought is an adult, it most likely has the necessary litter training. You shouldn’t worry if yours is a baby rabbit – it is not hard to teach any rabbit how to manage their ‘deliveries.’

Pointer: To encourage the rabbit to use the box more often, move some hay near it.

Remember that rabbits prefer to keep all their waste at one point since they are clean animals. You can put the little box near the same area where you clean the rabbit. At the end of the day, you will remain relaxed knowing that your rabbit won’t pee or poop all over the house. Like a cat, your pet rabbit will be able to go and use his bathroom whenever the need arises.

If the rabbit is neither neutered nor spayed, the training may be a little challenging to conduct. Unfixed rabbits do urine spraying and poop scattering to claim their territory. If the pet rabbit you’re adopting is neither spayed nor neutered, you should schedule a surgical appointment in due time. The little (or significant) costs you will incur will help you reap many benefits.

3. Rabbits Are Clean Animals – They Don’t Smell

You may have picked out somewhere that rabbits are messy and smelly animals – and what a big myth that is! For the most part, rabbits will not emit a pungent smell, and pet parents shouldn’t worry about covering up any odors.

Actually, rabbits are very cautious and spend most of their time cleaning and grooming themselves. Even their poop does not smell strong. The only this that is smelly about rabbits is their urine, which is full of ammonia. So, as long as the enclosure is kept clean and the litter box is handled nicely, you will not have a smelly house.

4. Rabbits Live Long – Longer Than Ferrets

Believe it or not, domesticated rabbits can live for up to 10 years. The age that your rabbit attains is dependent on what breed it is and its living conditions. Rabbits that are out in the wild live looking over their shoulders and go for three years max. Your indoor pet, which is out of the danger and uncertainties of the world, will have a longer life expectancy. If you take good care of your pet, it may outlive the 10-year mark. This implies that pet rabbits are animals that will stay by your side for the longest time. They will grow with you and become some of the most fantastic companion animals. While learning about a rabbit’s behavior, you will get to suck in all the joy from your pet.

The reason why this lifespan idea comes last is that it’s the most important thing to consider. Since you will develop a relationship with the animal, you need to think about the years to come.

Final Words

Both rabbits and ferrets are fine, and it is up to you to make a decision. Ensure that you properly weigh the pros against the cons. In the end, you will have a partner for life.

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