A common question is whether to buy one ferret or two. There are both positives and negatives to this argument. Two ferrets cost twice as much. Not just the purchase price which is around $110.00, but also food, litter, and vet bills. They also require a larger cage which can accommodate two ferrets comfortably. Two ferrets get into twice as much trouble. However, two ferrets is the way to go if you can afford it. Ferrets are not like dogs. While they will bond with humans, they still need ferret companionship. Ferrets are very communally-oriented animals.
A group of fish is called a school, a group a whales a pod, a group of dogs a pack, and group of lions a pride, a group of geese a gander and a group of ferrets is called a business.
Having two ferrets helps keeps them from being bored and depressed if you’re not home all day. Ferrets enjoy each other’s company and almost always get along. Ferrets enjoy sleeping in a pile and playing special games only ferrets can play. Ferrets love to wrestle, bite and chase each other in mock combat. They are only having fun and get great exercise when this goes on. While humans can play many games with ferrets, there are certain natural ferrets games only ferrets can play. One ferret game is “fanging.” This is a silly game where two ferrets face each other in a tight space with their mouths wide open as if to chomp down on each others’ nose. They twist their little heads and roll around trying to “ferret out” the other ferret.
Having two ferrets helps keeps them from being bored and depressed if you’re not home all day. Ferrets enjoy each other’s company and almost always get along. Ferrets enjoy sleeping in a pile and playing special games only ferrets can play. Ferrets love to wrestle, bite and chase each other in mock combat. They are only having fun and get great exercise when this goes on. While humans can play many games with ferrets, there are certain natural ferrets games only ferrets can play. One ferret game is “fanging.” This is a silly game where two ferrets face each other in a tight space with their mouths wide open as if to chomp down on each others’ nose. They twist their little heads and roll around trying to “ferret out” the other ferret. Here is a series of images in which Tuco seems to be getting the better of Jumpy. It may look harmful, but they both love alternating between the attacker and the victim. Tuco has got a silly mouthful of fur in the first image, but fear not, Jumpy is actually enjoying it. Having two ferrets is not only rewarding for the ferrets, it is also rewarding for the owner. Once you see for yourself two ferrets playing one of their silly games, you will never regret getting two. It is simply one of the funniest things to watch.
I have observed my ferrets grooming and cleaning each other from time to time. While it does not seem as important a routine as cats attach to it, I nevertheless believe they do benefit from this in a way which I cannot be a substitute for. I have observed them licking each others necks, ears, faces, tails and so forth. I do give them a bath about every fourteen days, but nothing beats a custom grooming from another ferret.
If you are going to buy two ferrets, I recommend that you purchase them within 6 months of each other. I bought my two ferrets several months apart. In this manner, I was able to bond with each one individually at a young age. I initially kept both ferrets in separate cages very close to each other. This way they could smell each other and get used to each other’s presence. They both were obviously excited about there being another ferret. I then physically introduced them to each other once the second ferret was large enough to roughhouse with the older one. The new ferret was 8 weeks old at this time. This was done over a two week period through short supervised play periods. The older, larger ferret will want to drag the younger ferret by the scruff under the nearest sofa as if it were a toy. Obviously, you should discourage this activity until the younger ferret is big enough to fight back. The play periods eventual got longer as they got comfortable with each other. Only then did I house both ferrets in the same cage.
I do not believe you will have too much trouble either if your ferrets are bought at the same time and are the same age. You will also have success if you introduce much older ferrets to younger ones, but I believe the best route is to keep them relatively close in age. An old ferret just may not want to rough house with a much younger ferret as much as the newbie wants to. As with people, it is nice for ferrets to grow up and age together.