My mom won’t let me get a ferret.

by Jarryd Jaeger
(Vancouver, Canada.)

Hi,
I am 14 and have always wanted a ferret, but my parents won’t let me get one.

I told them that I would buy everything for it and take good care of it, but they still say no! I have done a lot of research about ferrets. I’ve got a hamster that I take care of every day and a shih tzu that we all care for.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me as to what I should do?

Thanks.


Comments for My mom won’t let me get a ferret.

Jan 07, 2015 my mom won’t let me get a ferret
by: Anonymous

I have wanted a ferret since i was about 9 years old but I didn’t have the courage to ask until now but my mom said no and I could have dealt with her saying no if it wasn’t for such a stupid reason “because I don’t want a ferret”. THAT WAS HER REASON! How in the world does a person counter an argument like that? I told my mum that I would take such good care of it that she wouldn’t even know it was there but then she started swearing and I had to shut up before she got really angry.

She also told me some of the stupidest facts about ferrets I have ever heard like “the dog would eat it” and “you can’t keep a ferret inside”.

I know it sounds hopeless but can anyone help me?


Dec 02, 2012 To: Same Tam
by: Firedragonflame

My mom has said the same thing. Here is some reasoning I have used
1) if you live in America you can get the scent glands removed
2) There are some products you can find in most pet stores that reduce ferrets’ smells
Hope this helps


Dec 02, 2012 Same, but found a solution
by: Proudferretmommy

Lol I’m 14 too.

I was in the same spot as you but my dad said yes but my mom said no. It took me months to get a ferret and the only reason I got it is because I promised to take care of it and keep it smell free.

I wrote an essay on facts and why I should be able to get a ferret. It worked a little but I think the main reasons is like I said, I promised to take care of it and keep it smell free.

I got it Saturday and it is 9 weeks old – it is SO CUTE! I also told them it is the biggest part of my Christmas

Hope it helped 🙂


Jul 10, 2012 Why won’t my mom let me have a ferret
by: Same tam

I am a 13 year old boy that wants a ferret and my mom said I can not have one cus they smell bad. What do I do?


Jan 14, 2012 Another crazy mum?
by: Catrin

I’m 14 years old and have wanted a ferret for ages but didn’t ask until about 3 months ago when my lovely pet rat died. We have a family dog which I do over my share of care for and I did everything for the rats. I have over £700 saved up and when my rat got lonely after his brother died I spent over 3 hours a day with him. Unfortunately he got paralelasis in his back legs but because he was still happy I looked after him loads- I didn’t leave him much exept walking my dog and school basically and held him when I did stuff like H/W OR telly and I handfed him/ washed him- until he peacefully passed away.

I have written a 66 page pwerpoint over why we should get ferrets etc.; read Ferrets for Dummies from cover to cover and sisters will also hold them lots. I know I won’t stay at home forever so would get some about 3 years old from a rescue and have found pet friendly friends as well as boarding places that will look after them whilst we’re away.

I would understand but my parents don’t ever have a reason except it would be a waste of my time. I don’t understand I love animals and want to be a vet when I’m older.

What could I do to persuade them…?


Jan 04, 2012 Me too
by: Firedragonflame

I’m 10 and my mom won’t get me a ferret. She said if I did a bunch of unreasonable things daily I could maybe get a ferret when I’m 12. But first we would get a dog.

Please Please Please help – I will be glad for anything – thanks in advance!
Firedragonflame


Oct 09, 2010 My mom won’t let me get a pet ferret
by: AnonymousI

I am 9 and my mom and dad won’t let me get a pet ferret. They say I already have too many pets.

I only have 2guinea pigs,2 hamsters, 2 snakes, 1 rabbit, 1 rat and a dog. What harm would a ferret do?

I don’t get it. I’ve wanted one for over a year. How do I beg? Please respond.


Sep 01, 2010 Thanks.
by: Jarryd Jaeger

Thanks for your comment. I have done a lot of research about ferrets and know they are a good pet for me. As for convincing my parents….that will still be quite the challenge.


Aug 31, 2010 Parents won’t allow a ferret
by: Bonnie

You’re parents have the advantage of being older and wiser. I know that is not what you want to hear. Unfortunately, ferrets require so much more than just feeding, watering and cleaning their cage. They require several hours outside of their cage for supervised play time. Are you willing to give up four hours every day to watch and play with your ferret, and keep it safe from harm?

Ferrets get a variety of serious illnesses through their life time. These illnesses require expensive veterinary care and sometimes around the clock medications. Do you have a good paying after school job to pay for these things? Ferrets can live about 8 years on average. What will you do with your ferret when you get out of high school? Remember, giving an animal away when they become inconvenient should never be an option.

These are just a few things you really need to think long and hard about. If you think you have this under control, start proving to your parents that you will be a responsible ferret owner. Clean up and feed your pets every day without being told. Make sure you spend time playing with them also, even if it means not going out to hang out with your friends.

If your parents see that you are super committed to being a responsible pet owner, they might just change their minds.
Good luck.


76 thoughts on “My mom won’t let me get a ferret.”

  1. Bruh, same. I’m 14 and my mom won’t get me one bc she says we don’t have the money, they stnk, and we already have a rabbit (who doesn’t like me btw). I want to get a white one and name it Draco (Harry Potter geek here.)

  2. Hi Ally. My name is Chloe, I am 10 years old and I have been wanting a ferret for a long time. I still don’t have one.]: My parents aren’t easily persuaded. So I am trying to show them that I would be able to care for them. My mom says that they stink and are a lot of money. are family has two cats, one dog, and a small hermit crab that is mine. This website helped me learn more about ferrets. P.S I think draco is an awesome name![:

  3. I want a ferret really bad I’m 12.5 years old and have 13 animals and about to move in 4 acre house with tons of land and 3 stories not counting basement and I wanted one forever but my mom never let me because she says they “stink” and poop on the sides of cages. I told her they can be fixed and descented ,but she still says they stink and won’t listen! I said I would sell all my animals for just a ferret(s) can someone help me convince her? I’m a girl too and had or have Guinea pigs rabbits hamsters frogs snakes cats dogs gerbils and lizards, I ocd all the time researching about animals and know more than an adult about animals!

  4. Hi I’m 12 yrs old and I’m going to tell you how to convince your parents to let you get a ferret. (it worked for me so listen)I wanted a ferret for over a year then finally my mum let me get one. My mum thought they stink too but I managed to convince her. Here’s how I wrote a power point and a pamphlet on why a ferret would benefit our family. I recommend being overly nice to your parents and do unexpected acts of kindness. Make sure you actually want ferrets before you start all this because remember cleaning out their cage and stuff is hard work and takes up a lot of your spare time (that means you can’t just play video games all afternoon!) you need to sho your parents your responsible enough because caring for ferrets is harder than it looks! you need to get them to see that ferrets aren’t just smelly dirty creatures. Tell them why they are a good pet and explain why you want one.
    remember to do your research and don’t give up on trying to convince your parents, that’s how today I have 2 beautiful ferrets!
    Hope this helped xoxo

  5. I am 14 years old and I have wanted a ferret for over two years. My hamster recently passed so I thought that instead of getting another hammy I would get a ferret. I did a 30 slide PowerPoint on everything that owning a ferret required. I’ve spent so much time looking at ferret articles and watching videos of them. I’ve saved up my money and am prepared to use it. So when I finally showed my parents the PowerPoint, they just turned it down. I asked why and they got mad because I just needed to drop it. I eventually got the answer out of them-right now is not the time. I asked when the time would be and no response. I really want a ferret and prepared for one, now I just need to convince my parents. Please help..:(

  6. Hi Magstown
    You might want to check out these two websites :

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hanaan-rosenthal/advice-for-teens_b_2037523.html

    http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Let-You-Get-a-Ferret

    They were put up on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    If you read the comments there, you might get some advice from other teens on how to approach your parents about getting a ferret.
    Hope they will help you but please remember, ferrets are gorgeous animals and give their owners lots of love and laughter BUT when they get sick, the vet bills can mount up 🙁
    Good luck!
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  7. Please help.

    I am 12 years old. I do have pets, but not enough that that should be a deal-breaker. My mom says we can’t because of nothing really. She says nothing will change her mind. I am currently writing an essay and doing research. She knows how much it means to me. I cry everytime she says no still. This may sound petty, but it shouldn’t be. It breaks my heart because without help, I don’t know what to do. Please no responeses about her knowing what’s best. It’s my stepdad who is most likely keeping this from happening because he only ever wants his way and doesn’t like me very much at all. Please help me bring home my ferret. I pray about it eery single day. It would mean the world to me.

    Thank you,
    Tay

  8. I would like to add that this isn’t just me trying to break my mom’s rules. I respect it, but this is really my last chance and I need to accomplish this. I think the idea is growing on her a bit as she wants to call me later and said I could show her what I’m looking for and write the essay, but it’s a lot of mixed signs. I’ll be checking back here everyday to see if anyone gave me some help and I’ll update you on my current situation.

    Thanks again,
    Tay

  9. Hi Tay
    This is a reply I wrote to a 14 year old who also wanted to get a ferret but her parents said no …

    You might want to check out these two websites :

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hanaan-rosenthal/advice-for-teens_b_2037523.html

    http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Let-You-Get-a-Ferret

    They were put up on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    If you read the comments there, you might get some advice from other teens on how to approach your parents about getting a ferret.
    Hope they will help you but please remember, ferrets are gorgeous animals and give their owners lots of love and laughter BUT when they get sick, the vet bills can mount up 🙁

    I hope it will give you some ideas on how to handle your request!
    I was the one who fell madly in love with ferrets but my children, who were teenagers at the time, didn’t share my passion!
    As all my ferrets were free roam, I used to instruct my kids to make sure they looked down before they came in or out of the house but they weren’t very conscientious and we managed to lose every one of my ferrets when they lived at home 😮
    Thank goodness I got them all back but I used to make the kids take squeaky toys and go around the neighbourhood calling the ferret’s name, putting leaflets in everyone’s mailbox and I think that put them off having ferrets when they left home – LOL!
    So I’m afraid I have no advice to give you to help with persuading your mother to change her mind 🙁
    Good luck!!
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  10. Thank you, but sadly unless my budgie dies I won’t get one. It is a bit likely he might soon, but I don’t want him to and he might not pass away until I go off to college. I thought that when my dad moved we were getting one, but it’s a very small chance now as it seems he changed his mind. I’m very sad now, but I’ll be ok. Thanks anyways.

  11. Hello, I have did 2 power points, a ferret care packet, a newsletter, a brochure, a schedule, a letter, read every article, explained to them why I deserve it. I get good grades, do chores and am still doing chores, keep my room clean, clean the litter box, dont have an attitude, respectful, and they say the don’t want one in the house because the have an unbearable stink to them. I tried to explain that it’s not that bad have any ideas???

  12. Oh Lydia, I am so sorry to hear that 🙁
    Unsterilised males ferrets (hobs) do stink to high heavens but once they’ve been snipped, the smell goes.
    With one ferret I don’t think there would be an odour but then, some people have very sensitive noses and might find it unacceptable 🙁
    I don’t know if taking your parents to a ferret shelter for them to actually see, smell and handle ferrets, they might change their mind?!
    There are two websites with advice about getting parents to change their minds … I hope they might give you more ideas!

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hanaan-rosenthal/advice-for-teens_b_2037523.html

    http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Let-You-Get-a-Ferret

    You sound like a great kid so I do hope your parents will give you permission to get one.
    But remember Lydia, ferrets have different personalities – some are really smoochy and cuddly while others are bitey and scatty and it’s not easy to judge how they’ll behave.
    You’d have to really ferret proof your room or wherever you plan to let it roam around. They get depressed if left in their cage for long periods of time so you’d really have to make sure you give it lots of attention.
    Ferrets are also very intelligent and can give you grey hairs by doing things you would never except :/
    However they make great pets and I personally don’t think I could ever be without one. They’re just such funny little things 🙂
    Good luck!!
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  13. I am 13 and actually turning 14 in a week, I would like a ferret for my birthday, I have wanted a ferret for I can’t even remember how long and now seems to be the right time. I have dedicated so much freetime to studying these awesome pets, keeping my grades high, doing chores and being respectful and finally found a reasonable time to ask my mom about getting one, as I feared she ended up turning me down. And the only reason for turning me down as far as i understood was “I don’t want one”. I was’nt going to go down that easy, so i gave her some facts and some reasons i should get one and the most i was able to get out of her was an “I’ll think about it” although i feel like it was just so she could get me out of her sight. Although despite what it seems i think i am in a good position. We have 1 dog and we probably will sadly have to give him away to another loving family because of my brothers allergies to him. Therefore i told my mom that if i got a ferret i wouldn’t bother her about another dog when we eventually have to get rid of ours. Also on my birthday i might be able to catch my mom in an easy going mood and it might be easier to convince her to go out and get a ferret. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great and as for all the people who want these little monkey/cat/dog hybrids GOOD LUCK 🙂

  14. So sorry to hear about your challenges, Trevor 🙁
    There are a couple of links which I gave another young person (see the comment above yours) to read for ideas to present the idea to one’s parents which might help you. What I wrote there also applies so I hope you read my comment too.
    A lot of people think that ferrets are vicious, that they smell and some actually find their wiggly bodies unnerving as they remind them of snakes 😮 My sister belongs to the latter group and she even refuses to hold one of my ferrets because she finds them “disgusting” and think I’m mad to have them, let alone love them!
    I have suggested to some kids that they take their parent/s to a ferret shelter and get them to handle ferrets and watch them play. Maybe your mother might be happy to do something like that?
    Have you seen an interview my husband did for an animal program here about 20 years ago? If you haven’t, would that help to sway your mother’s opinion or not?

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/tv-ferrets.html

    I hope your mother will come around and let you get a ferret as a pet but if she does, please remember that if in a cage, they need to be let out and played with on a daily basis, they need to be fed decent kibble, they need all the love you can give them and, if they get sick, they need proper ferret vet care (which can be expensive)!
    I often worry about teenagers getting a ferret and thinking they’re cool for a week or so but then getting bored with the ferret, or get involved in after school events or homework, and not having the time to let their pet out and play with them. The ferret then gets depressed and might start biting, so the poor animal gets shunted off to a ferret shelter 🙁
    A ferret is a pet for life, just like a dog or a cat, and not to be discarded if life gets busy.
    Good luck!
    ~Nona

  15. Hi I am almost 14 years old and have wanted a ferret for four years I have asked my parents so many times and the answer is always NO so far this year I have saved up just over $700 for a ferret my mom still says no but I would do absolutely everything for it I would buy a ferret nation cage very good quality food and litter and litter tray and accessories and everything the ferret would need but the problem is I live in an apartment and my mom says she would let me get one but there isn’t enough room which I would just put it in my room I would take it on walks and give the ferret so many hours of play time it would make me so soooo happy to have one I would name it Merlin 🙂 it just makes me really sad that I can’t what could I do??

  16. Hi Mia
    You sound like a very responsible girl and I’m sorry to hear that your mother is still adamant about not having a ferret in the house 🙁
    I honestly don’t know what to suggest – perhaps look on this page to see if there are any ideas or suggestions that might be helpful …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-still-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    I hope you can change your mother’s mind but please don’t nag as I’m sure you know that’ll just irritate your parents 🙁
    Good luck!
    ~Nona

  17. My parents keep saying no to a ferret because they read that ferrets cant be %100 litter trained and we have carpet. SO they don’t want to ruin the carpet. :C They also say no because my mom thinks they ruin furniture! Please help I really need advice! :C

  18. Kylee – I hate to burst your bubble but it is pretty hard to keep ferrets from scratching at closed doors and if there is carpet, well … they could dig down to the concrete 🙁
    They also love to dig inside furniture! My husband & I went shopping for a new lounge suite many years ago. I saw a set of chairs and sofa and thought they’d be great as they went right down to the floor (ferrets can’t get under it, check!) and I couldn’t find any openings around the cushions so another check! We ordered the suite.
    Less than 15 minutes after it was delivered to our house and put into our sitting room, Kaos, my BEW at the time, wandered in.
    “New stuff – wow!!” she said. “I must check it out!”
    Before I could blink, I heard her scratching around INSIDE the couch! I freaked out, as I had no idea how to get her out 😮
    Long story short – she climbed out the way she got in (there was an opening right at the very top of the back of the couch) and she went running to tell the others about the new playground she’d discovered!
    It took two days before my husband decided to cut an opening at the back of the couch and the chairs so that the ferrets could get inside and out without wrecking the back of the chairs/couch.
    Then we found one of our girls, Snoopy, liked to sleep on the bottom of the couch and then the lazy girl would go to the other side (it was a long 3 seater) and poop and piddle 🙁
    My husband tipped the couch over and cut the bottom material off !!!
    So … within a week of our new lounge suite’s arrival, it started to look pretty tacky!
    Fortunately my husband is a very long-suffering man and he knows how much my ferrets mean to me – he didn’t complain and I bought a cover to throw over the couch when our friends or family popped in but, yes, ferrets can really ruin the furniture.
    If you look on the internet, I’m sure you’ll find DIY projects on how to keep ferrets out of couches, chairs, etc, and how to protect your carpet from a scratching ferret so maybe you could find out if there are any ideas to show your folks to lessen their worries 🙂
    And Kylee, your parents are quite right when they say that ferrets can’t be 100% litter trained. Mind you, it depends on the ferret’s personality! Some are really good at going into the litter tray but others just don’t care and poop wherever 🙁
    My present boys, whom I call my wolverines, are hopeless about going to the right spots to poop and piddle! And they don’t seem to care about backing into a corner either – they want to poop, they poop! I have rolls of loo paper in every room so that I can pick up their little presents quickly!
    Take a look at the other comments here, Kylee. Perhaps they will give you some suggestions on how to approach your parents but whatever you do, please don’t nag them 🙂

  19. Hi, I’m 12 and my birthday is in April and it’s January and all I want is a ferret. I’m not lying it is the ONLY thing I want but they always say no and that I can get one with my own money when I get my own house. I have lots of dogs but I take care of mine(max) and my fish(charmander) also I had a teddy bear hamster when I was and took care of it. I’m just so upset cause my parents let my sisters friends love with us and do elegall drugs in MY room butt won t let me get a ferret. I take great care of pets that are in cages and i can take out to play with me. I really want one so bad. Please help me convince them

  20. OH Annie – I’m so sorry your folks are so against you getting a ferret.

    Is it because they don’t like them (some people think they’re slinky and creepy) or are they worried that the other animals in your family are at risk?

    Have a look at these links I’ve put about posts and if you think they’d be good for your parents to read, then print them out. If not, find other posts which you think would impress them.

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/bell.html

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/hannah.html

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/pantaleimon-my-new-adult-furry-thing.html

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/first-time-ferret-owner.html

    You might also get them to watch the segment which my husband and our kids were on TV talking about ferrets. That might change their minds?!

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/tv-ferrets.html

    If that doesn’t work, then maybe you should just wait till you leave home and get a ferret then ?

    Good luck!!

  21. If your parents are like mine there is nothing you can do to get one. I have a cat that I do take care of.I have begged cryed and so much more but yet I’m not getting one!but my parents are very nice to me and my sister they are never mean to us they get me pretty much anything except animals.

  22. My parents were on board but then I said they can stink and are very smart so they said no.They said because they smell and they don’t want one because they are to smart. I gave them this look?.What do I do!!!!!!! Please help me. I gave them valid reasons and still no.Help please!

  23. Hi Kat
    I wish I could give you some useful advice about what to say to your folks but I can only suggest you read what I’ve already written above and see if you can use some of those suggestions.
    Ferrets really don’t stink – they have a slight “odour” and I guess some people find that unacceptable but I personally LOVE the smell. When I had six ferrets and they all slept in my chest of drawers, I would open the drawer and stick my head into the sleepy pile and take a deep breath 😀
    Non-castrated males (hobs) really do stink when they come into rut but all the ferrets in the States are sterilised before they’re sold so there’s no chance of you getting a full male 🙂
    I’ve written more suggestions on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-still-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    so have a look there and see if you can use any of them as well!
    Some ferrets can be destructive with furniture and carpets so that’s one of their “cons” and I would think your parents wouldn’t be very impressed if they did allow you have a ferret and it proceeded to wreck the couch or carpets.
    I can only wish you the best of luck that you manage to change your parents’ opinion but if you can’t, then perhaps you’ll have to wait until you move out of their house to have one as a pet 🙁
    Best wishes
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  24. I’m 12 and my dad won’t let me get a ferret. Only because of the smell.. I have been doing chores and everything but, nothing works my mom said yes… my hamster died a couple months ago… what should I do I really want a ferret..

  25. Hi Heather
    I’m so sorry to hear that your father is anti-ferret because he thinks they smell 🙁
    I can only suggest you read what I wrote to other kids who had the same problem, as well as the comments from kids who were allowed to get a ferret finally, and think about what ideas you might get from the comments.
    There is another page with more suggestions and comments …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-still-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    Perhaps you could ask your parents to come with you to visit a ferret shelter so that he can talk to the owner and get to handle a ferret. Yes, they have a slight odor but it’s not unpleasant nor does it stick to your clothes (like a skunk’s spray) so maybe if he sees a ferret first hand, he’ll learn that they really are loving, smoochy little critters (well, not all are smoochy having said that!) and relent?!
    Wishing you the best of luck!
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  26. I am 12 and i asked my mom if i could get a ferret and she said no this is exactly what i said at 11:31
    mom can i get a ferret I will take care of it and feed it take it for walks it is just like a dog but a lot cuter i will make sure it does not smell bad and i will feed water and walk it u will not even know it is there and I know u will like it and i will buy all of the stuff from the pet store i will get the hammock, bed, food, leach, and a cage and make sure it is clean every 2 weeks pls and i said that at least 3 times and all the time she would say NO! that was the end of the story she would say all the time so i need help what do u think i should do to convince my mom to let me get one.

  27. Hi there
    It’s really hard when your parent won’t let you get a ferret. I can only recommend that you read all the comments on this page, and also on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-still-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    You’ll see in one of the comments here that I posted the links to two websites which give advice on what to say to your parents. I’ll list them here again …

    There are two websites with advice about getting parents to change their minds … I hope they might give you more ideas!

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hanaan-rosenthal/advice-for-teens_b_2037523.html

    http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Let-You-Get-a-Ferret

    Hope you manage to persuade your mother but if not, then perhaps you’ll have to wait until you get your own place ?
    Good luck!
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  28. I am so sorry that – after all your attempts – your mom won’t let you get a ferret! So sad ?
    Do you think your mother would enjoy watching this video about ferrets?

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/tv-ferrets.html

    Good luck but if your mom still won’t budge then all I can suggest is that you wait until you leave home and have your own place before getting one! ?
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  29. Hi my I’m 12 turning 13 in may 16th and I really want a ferret Ive wanted one ever since I knew about them I have 4 pets already 2 dogs and 2 cats Ik dogs could hurt them but I believe they wouldn’t unless really frightened…

    My mum doesn’t like rodents.. And thinks they are rodents
    But honestly if I’m correct they aren’t rodents they are weasels more closely related to dogs and cats

  30. Hi I’m almost 11 and in a couple months is my birthday and I asked if i could have a ferret and begged my mom and said I would do anything and put my heart and soul into it. You know what she said next? “You have to prove to me that your going to take care of it” and i have well tried and she said next is we’ll think about it. If I know my mom that means no but if anyone could help me then please reply i would do anything for a ferret like i said before so please. 🙁

  31. Hi Lilly
    Sorry to hear that your mother isn’t keen for you to get a ferret ?
    I suggest you read all the comments here and check the links out to get more ideas about how to approach your parent.
    Here is another page with kids talking about their parents not being keen for them to get a ferret so there might be some ideas there for you to think about …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-still-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    I would suggest you wait until the coronavirus dies down before approaching your mother again and don’t forget, you have to think about the cost of a vet’s visit and getting good food for it – which is also an expense. Will your mom be happy to pay for those things?
    Good luck, and I hope you and your family have a very Happy Easter ❤
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  32. My mom and dad say they are smelly and I have to many pets I have ONE DOG I really want one I am obsessed

  33. Hi im 12, turning 13 in a little over a month and I really want a ferret for my birthday. I went to my mom and dad, and made a huge presentation on all the information they need, including links to good-quality items for the pet. I then promised to take care of it and pay for half of the costs. I also said I would be more responsible. I already get good grades and do some chores, but i said i would get all my schoolwork done, keep up my good grades, clean my room and bathroom every week and walk my dog every day to prove i’m responsible enough for a ferret. They said they would seriously consider it, but i have a feeling I won’t get one as of now. does anyone have any tips for me on how to convince my parents to let me get one? i really want one and i know i would take care of it, but i don’t want to nag them. I need a way to convince them without being naggy or annoying. thank you

  34. Hi Audrey
    I would wait until this coronavirus business is well and truly over. Ferrets have been used as lab animals as their respiratory system is similar to ours so they can catch the virus and perhaps spread it. That would be one more reason your folks wouldn’t want you to get one!
    But if you want to gather up ideas, you might want to check out these two websites :

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hanaan-rosenthal/advice-for-teens_b_2037523.html

    http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Let-You-Get-a-Ferret

    They were put up on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    If you read the comments there, you might get some advice from other teens on how to approach your parents about getting a ferret.
    Hope they will help you but please remember, ferrets are gorgeous animals and give their owners lots of love and laughter BUT when they get sick, the vet bills can mount up ?
    Have a look at these links I’ve put about posts and if you think they’d be good for your parents to read, then print them out. If not, find other posts which you think would impress them.

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/bell.html

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/hannah.html

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/pantaleimon-my-new-adult-furry-thing.html

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/first-time-ferret-owner.html

    You might also get them to watch the segment which my husband and our kids were on TV talking about ferrets. That might change their minds?!

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/tv-ferrets.html
    Have a look at the other comments here to see if there are any other ideas that might help you to persuade your parents.
    Good luck and I hope it all works out! ❤
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  35. Hi Anonymous
    Please take a look at my reply to Audrey below as what I wrote to her applies to you too!
    Good luck ❤
    ~Nona

  36. I have been asking for a ferret for sooooooooooo long now. I tryed to show her I was responsible and got I hamser but still it was a no. I asked her why she would not let me get one and she said “Because they smell” But my nebor has one that I hold and play with all the time and the actually don’t smell bad. I am so made because they are cute and cuddly. Any suggetions on how I can convice my mom to let me get one?

  37. Hello, I am 13, about to turn 14 in around a month and a half. I’ve wanted a ferret for a couple of years now but I was too nervous to ever ask my parents for one. A few weeks ago I finally built up the courage to ask but, as I feared, they said no. The only reasons they can come up with are: “we don’t want one”, “they stink”, and “I don’t like them”. I have written a 21 paragraph essay on why I should get one, and I showed it to my dad. He said he “needed time to process it” and then never mentioned it again. I was too scared to show it to my mom. Also, I am an animal lover and planning to be a veterinarian. I love all animals and would do anything to get a ferret. We already have a cat and a dog, the cat is lazy and kinda mean, but wouldn’t really hurt anything. the dog is fairly small but pretty hyper, and I think she would get along fine with a ferret. I already have tried telling my parents that ferrets don’t really stink once spayed/neutered but they don’t believe me or care what I have to say about it. I’m fairly sure my dad would be ok-ish with getting one if my mom said yes, but she won’t budge. I have done a ton of research and know pretty much what it takes to take care of one, and I have over $1000 saved up in my bank account that I’m willing to spend on a ferret. There’s a pet store very close to us that has ferrets for sale, and I have a list of the exact model and brand of everything I’ll need for it. The cage, the food, the water and food dish, the hammock, the nail clippers, etc. I’ve read all the comments here and looked at the websites mentioned in the past, but I’m still unsure of how to go about convincing them. My dad has also said that he doesn’t want me to get anything, not even a fish (I don’t want a fish :|), until after the first semester of high school is over, but that’s 6+ months and I’m quite impatient. I’ve waited long enough. So, I still need help with this. How do I go about convincing them to let me get one by my birthday? (That would be my birthday gift for sure :D)
    Thanks! -Skye

  38. Oh Skye
    I really don’t know what to suggest to get your mother on board ?
    You seem to have done all the right things so all I can think of is for you to read all the comments on this page, plus read the comments on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    Have you seen this video clip which shows my husband talking to the interviewer about ferrets, and my kids when they were teenagers. Perhaps that might show your mother that ferrets are not nasty, smelly critters but delightful little animals which are quite quirky and funny ?

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/tv-ferrets.html

    Good luck and I hope that you’ll get your birthday wish! ❤️
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  39. Hi I’m a older preteen who has wanted a fuzz ball ferret for a while. I am very responsible, do chores, keep a clean room, etc. However, I do already have 2 guinea pigs, 3 dogs, 4 cats, and my own personal beloved horse Duke. My mom had a ferret growing up and understands smell, cage cleaning etc. She is very kind, but says I cannot have one bc I am going off to college in a like five years and we have lots a pets already. I would love to have a ferret, am saving up, and is absolutely desperate. Please help!

  40. Well I don’t often hear that someone’s parent used to have a ferret before! What a great thing but I think she’s quite right about the fact that you’ll be going off to college in a few years and unless you can take your ferret with you, your mother will be left with it! Mind you, she might fall in love with your ferret and would be happy to have it to keep her company when you aren’t there (we can only hope!) ?
    I wish I could offer you more advice but all I can do is tell you to read all the comments which have been made before you and also to check out this page for more comments …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    I remember many years ago our eldest daughter begged us to let her get a Siamese kitten and she swore that she would always look after it no matter what!! My husband and I relented when she promised to take Cino with her when she left home.
    Did she? Did she hah! ?
    Cino was left behind as she said the flat she got didn’t allow animals and that was that! Of course we looked after her cat but – as a parent – I can appreciate what your mother was thinking about when she said you’re going to be going away. I hope you find a way to persuade your mother otherwise but if she holds firm, I can only say please wait until you have your own place and are able to support a ferret from there!
    Wishing you the best of luck! ❤️
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  41. Hi Sophia
    I would just ask you to read all the comments on this page, as well as all the comments on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    I have comments to others who have asked for suggestions and unfortunately I can’t think of anything more to pass on!
    I was the one who fell in love with the ferret I rescued and my husband and kids didn’t feel the same way about the ferrets ?
    Our children have their own children now so I am a grandmother. My grandkids think my ferrets are cute but they aren’t interested in getting a ferret for themselves! So as you can see, I’m really not in a position to give you advice about how to approach your parents ?
    Good luck in your quest ??
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  42. Hi,My name is Lena and I’m 10. I wanted a ferret for over 3 years. My mom is ok but not sure about it and my dad keeps saying that our dog will eat it (he says that for every animal) , my sister on the other side think their cute! I told them I will purchase the ferrets cage and supplies with my money but they don’t really listen to me. I have great grades, sometimes clean their dishes (but always mine), care about our dog Pegi but we sometimes fight :(. I know a lot about them even how much teeth they have, the cost of their vet bills, history, intelligence and a lot of other stuff about them. I was supposed to get a pet for my 10 birthday on March 19 but because of the virus we couldn’t get one 🙁 they are still saying hat they are going to buy me one but I’m not sure…. I EVEN did a REPORT on them so I know everything about them!

    Pls help me, how do I convince them?

  43. And BTW you are such a great person Nona, I can’t believe you are so thoughtful and reply to every comment!

  44. Hi Lena
    Thanks so much for your kind words about me replying to everyone! I do want to help kids to have a ferret but I’m also well aware about parents thinking that ferrets are stinky or bitey or just not suitable for the family ?
    As I said in previous comments, please just look at all the other comments on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    And, of course, you could also show them this video of my family taken back in 1996 with our dog, cats, teenagers and ferrets ??

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/tv-ferrets.html

    Unfortunately our kids (who were teenagers at the time) didn’t think ferrets were cool and my husband is happy to have them in the house but if I dropped dead tomorrow, I think he wouldn’t get any more ferrets! He is very long-sufferings about my gorgeous fuzzbutts ?
    Your parents sound like they are open to you having one and, to be honest, it might be a good idea to wait until this wretched virus disappears ?
    You mentioned that there are no ferret breeders near you but have you thought about looking for ferret shelters? I heard that a lot of ferrets have been sent to shelters because people are frightened that their ferret will give them the COVID-19 (DUH!!! ?‍♀️?‍♀️) so if you find a shelter, then just speak to the owner and s/he will find one that would be the best ferret for you!
    Hope that’s been of some help!
    You sound like a very responsible kid so I hope your parents will get one for you!
    Take care and I hope you and your family stay safe during these trying times ❤
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  45. No Lena, two is always better than one as they can keep each other company when you’re not around!
    However you have to make sure you can afford to pay for the vet bills for two ?‍♀️

  46. You can get really smoochy boys and you can get really snooty girls – why not get one of each ?
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  47. Im 13 and my mom wont let me get a ferret because she says theyre ‘caged animals’ and she thinks its cruel to keep an animal in a cage, (despite the fact that ferrets have been domesticated for hundreds of years) she is adoment that i will not be able to have a ferret. Please help! I have a cat and i have promised to take care of them. I dont know what to do!

  48. I agree with your mother that it’s cruel to keep an animal in a cage but you don’t always have to cage ferrets! I know many people who have cages for their ferrets but it’s only when they put them in it to sleep or if the owners leave the house and want their ferret/s to stay safe while they’re away!
    My ferrets have always been free roam in the house but when our children were teenagers — every one of my ferrets went walkabout!! ?
    I used to tell my kids to always look down when they came in and out of our house so that no ferrets would slip out but did they? No, they didn’t!!
    Fortunately we got every one of our missing ferrets back again but when they were missing, I think my hair turned grey on each occasion ?
    Anyway, back to your mother … do you think she’d enjoy watching this TV clip of my husband and kids who featured on national TV 24 years ago!

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/tv-ferrets.html

    You could also show her my page about ferrets and other pets …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/ferrets-and-other-pets.html

    I hope those will be of help to you to show your mother how gorgeous ferrets are!
    Good luck!
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  49. Im turning 14 in three days and I really want a Ferret because I have extreme anxiety (from childhood trauma) and I heard they are great emotional support pets. My dad said I could get one but in return I have to delete all of my social media because he thinks it is bad for my mental heath. But my mom HATES Ferrets. She says her brother used to have one and his stank up the house and pooped everywhere. Every time I try to talk to her about the pros of having a ferret she yells at me and tells me “Im giving her an anxiety attack”. I dont know how I can even talk to her about Ferrets. Please help.

  50. Hi Lilly
    It really is a shame that your mother has such strong feelings against ferrets! Perhaps your mother has a very sensitive nose so ferrets smell worse to her than, say, how my nose reacts to ferrets! When I had 6 ferrets and they used to sleep in the chest of drawers in our bedroom I used to love opening the drawer and sticking my face into a pile of warm weasels ?
    I’m not sure if these articles will help you with ideas about how to speak to your mother but I’ll put the links down for easy reference …

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hanaan-rosenthal/advice-for-teens_b_2037523.html

    http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Let-You-Get-a-Ferret

    They were put up on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    Another thing you could try is see if she would watch this video clip with you. 24 years ago I was involved with the Ferret Society’s rescue service and one of our TV channels got in touch with me because they heard I had all these ferrets, as well as a pregnant one which had given birth to two kits, as they wanted to do a segment on ferrets. I said sure they could come and film at our house, which they did! ?
    Perhaps seeing how cute our ferrets were with our other animals might change her perception of them? We can but hope!! ?

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/tv-ferrets.html

    I hope that’s been of some help and wish you lots of luck. However, please remember if your mother steadfastly refused to allow you to have a ferret, don’t nag her as that will just get her more annoyed!
    Hope it goes well for you ❤
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  51. Thank you sooo much Nona! My mom is finally convinced and now im getting a Ferret!! Im planning on naming it Mochi. Without you my mom wouldnt have said yes.

  52. I’m very happy for you, Lilly! Congratulations on becoming one of us (besotted ferret owners) ??
    Mochi sounds like a lovely name and I hope your mother falls in love with it too!
    Please make sure you read all my pages about what to feed it and how to ferret proof your room or wherever Mochi will be!! Ferrets are very intelligent little animals and also very curious, so you must make sure there is no way Mochi will be able to go walkabout ?
    Thanks so much for telling me the good news and I hope you’ll keep in touch and let me know how you are getting on with Mochi!!
    Cheers ❤
    ~Nona

  53. hii nona, Im 12 years old and i have been wanting a ferret for 2 years, I have done a lot of research and every time i ask for one my parents are like “No we already have a dog and ferrets stink” they also say that there is no place for the ferret to stay when we go on trips, I have been trying to tell them that i can try to pay someone to come here and watch it, I have everything planned like how every month i will save my money for if we ever need a ferret sitter lol, and for food, I have also planned how I will free roam him/her for about 6 hours a day, i try to research everyday to improve my knowledge about them, I wrote 6 “letter” type of thing and im going to give to my parents close to Christmas type like in November, I think i meed more reason tho, could you help me ?

  54. Hi there!
    I don’t know if you saw my comment for another youngster who wanted help with persuading her mother but apparently it worked so I’ve copied and pasted it here for you to read and see if it works for you ?
    I’m not sure if these articles will help you with ideas about how to speak to your parents but I’ll put the links down for easy reference …

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hanaan-rosenthal/advice-for-teens_b_2037523.html

    http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Let-You-Get-a-Ferret

    They were put up on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    Another thing you could try is see if they would watch this video clip with you. 24 years ago I was involved with the Ferret Society’s rescue service and one of our TV channels got in touch with me because they heard I had all these ferrets, as well as a pregnant one which had given birth to two kits, as they wanted to do a segment on ferrets. I said sure they could come and film at our house, which they did! ?
    Perhaps seeing how cute our ferrets were with our other animals might change her perception of them? We can but hope!! ?

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/tv-ferrets.html

    I hope that’s been of some help and wish you lots of luck. However, please remember if your parents steadfastly refused to allow you to have a ferret, don’t nag them as that will just get them more annoyed!
    GOOD LUCK & I hope it goes well for you ❤
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  55. ok tysm, I have done lots of research and know how to take care of one, I know they are quite a lot of work but I will commit my self to him/her we I get it, I will leg you know in a couple of months if it works loll

  56. i’m ten and I really want a ferret my parents said no but maybe when we move into a new house. That is going to take a while ive been good and i have room in my bedroom,i have time for the ferret and i will look after my ferret they still said now please if anybody has any suggestions i could really use them 🙂

  57. Hi Hanna
    I can only repeat what I said to another youngster whose parents weren’t keen on them getting a ferret …
    You might want to check out these two websites :

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hanaan-rosenthal/advice-for-teens_b_2037523.html

    http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Let-You-Get-a-Ferret

    They were put up on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    If you read the comments there, you might get some advice from other teens on how to approach your parents about getting a ferret.
    Hope they will help you but please remember, ferrets are gorgeous animals and give their owners lots of love and laughter BUT when they get sick, the vet bills can mount up ?

    Good luck!
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  58. Oh Hanna – so sorry to hear that but, as my mother used to tell me when I was disappointed with outcomes, “Everything happens for the best!
    Perhaps you could put having a ferret on your bucket list and make it happen when you grow up and leave home!!
    All the very best ❤
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  59. I have been begging for a ferret for at least a few months now… I had one long ago when I was five (13 now) but due to my young age and the fact that my father was allergic since he wasn’t descented, we had to give him up. I have a cat (6 years old) and I play with him daily, feed him and make sure he has enough water, empty his litter and do all the same things except playing with my mom’s cat, and I even sleep with him every night. He isn’t let out of my room, screened-in porch and bathroom due to his territorial urinary tract infection. My mom thinks I don’t spend enough time with him, but at least two hours of my day is spent taking care of him. I’ve proven for seven years that I deserve another pet due to my responsibility, but she won’t give in, since my dad MAY have to go across the state in a few months where ferrets are illegal in California, due to work. My dad says he probably won’t, but my mom doesn’t believe him.
    Anyone have any tips on how to convince her?
    Thank you,
    Essie

  60. Hi Essie
    I feel for you, I really do! It’s hard when a parent or parents aren’t keen to let a ferret into the family ?
    It was different in our household … I (the mother) was the one who got our first ferret, I was the one who fell in love with her, and got more and more ferrets, and my kids don’t want to have ferrets as pets now that they’re parents with their own children ? However I’m pleased about that as I was so paranoid about our kids to make sure they looked down when coming in or coming out of our house; however when they were living at home, we always had ferrets going missing!! Thank God we got them all back but I reckon all my grey hairs were due to worry about my missing babies ?‍♀️
    All I can advise is for you to please read all the comments on the page you posted your comment on, and also read all the comments on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    I hope you’ll find ideas there which will help you but I’m afraid I can’t give you any new advice on how to talk to your folks – sorry ?
    Fingers crossed you’ll find enough ideas to approach your parents/your mom with a good argument, but please don’t nag your mom/paremts! That will just make them angry and they’ll definitely not approve of you having a ferret. If they say no, then perhaps you should just accept their decision and put a ferret on your list for when you’re old enough to get a job and get your own place? ?‍♀️
    Wishing you a lot of good luck in your endeavour ❤
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  61. Hi, I’ve wanted a ferret for about three years now. When I first asked for one I tried my best to give them good reasoning and important facts about ferrets. I tried my best to persuade them with everything I had. I tried my best not to talk about too much just in case it got annoying. But any time I noticed they where happy I tried to discuss it with them. But my mom said no everyyyy time no matter what my argument was. And there was simply no point in talking to my dad about it, he always takes my moms side and supports what she says. So I had been dying for one for about two years then last Christmas I wrote a 20 page essay, on facts about ferrets and how to overcome obstacles with smell. Including my promises to take good care of it and to love it unconditionally with no endings. Andddd after leaving it in their room, they both read it came to me and said no! What am I supposed to do it seems I’ve tried everything.
    Please help!~ Luna

  62. Hi Luna
    Forgive me, but I am just going to copy and paste the comment I made to another girl whose parents wouldn’t allow her to get a ferret! You seem to have done all the good things, especially not nagging your folks, so I really have nothing new which I can add ?
    This is what I said in reply to Essie’s plea for help …
    I feel for you, I really do! It’s hard when a parent or parents aren’t keen to let a ferret into the family ?
    It was different in our household … I (the mother) was the one who got our first ferret, I was the one who fell in love with her, and got more and more ferrets, and my kids don’t want to have ferrets as pets now that they’re parents with their own children ? However I’m pleased about that as I was so paranoid about our kids to make sure they looked down when coming in or coming out of our house; however when they were living at home, we always had ferrets going missing!! Thank God we got them all back but I reckon all my grey hairs were due to worry about my missing babies ?‍♀️
    All I can advise is for you to please read all the comments on the page you posted your comment on, and also read all the comments on this page …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    I hope you’ll find ideas there which will help you but I’m afraid I can’t give you any new advice on how to talk to your folks – sorry ?
    Fingers crossed you’ll find enough ideas to approach your parents/your mom with a good argument, but please don’t nag your mom/paremts! That will just make them angry and they’ll definitely not approve of you having a ferret. If they say no, then perhaps you should just accept their decision and put a ferret on your list for when you’re old enough to get a job and get your own place? ?‍♀️
    Wishing you a lot of good luck in your endeavour ❤

    Cheers
    ~Nona

  63. Hi, this website looks kinda old and you probably won’t respond but I am 12 years old and unlike every body here, I haven’t asked yet. I need advice on how and when is a good time to ask.

    Plz help

  64. HI Matthew
    You might want to check out these two websites :

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hanaan-rosenthal/advice-for-teens_b_2037523.html

    http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Let-You-Get-a-Ferret

    Also it might be an idea for you to read all the comments on this page and also on another page about kids wanting to perusade their parents to get a ferret …

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/parents-wont-let-me-get-a-ferret.html

    If you read the comments there, you might get some advice from other kids on how to approach your parents about getting a ferret.
    Hope they will help you but please remember, ferrets are gorgeous animals and give their owners lots of love and laughter BUT when they get sick, the vet bills can mount up ?
    Some ferrets, not all, can be very naughty and poop all over the room instead of going to their litter box.
    Some ferret, not all, can be very destructive, for example if they are in a closed room, they will scratch frantically at the shut door and if there is a carpet in the room, they will dig it down to the concrete!
    Some ferrets, not all, can be incredible escape artists and will find ways to get out of a closed room if it’s not properly ferret proofed!
    You might find this video clip fun to watch. A TV crew came to our house and my husband, Philip, was the one to tell it like it is re ferrets ?

    https://www.all-about-ferrets.com/tv-ferrets.html (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwS2FHsZ8x8&t=1s)

    Well I hope I’ve given you some ideas on what to do but please remember that although they are small little critters, they are so intelligent and if you get bored with it and just leave it in their cage, they can get really depressed. Do your homework about the pros and cons of getting one and if you do get one, please look after it for life!
    Good luck!
    Cheers
    ~Nona

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