Should I Get a Ferret or a Rabbit?

When it comes to ferrets and rabbits, there is not much to compare. Both of them have their own cuddly nature and unique personalities. Rabbits are on the fluffier side of the spectrum as compared to ferrets while ferrets are slim-bodied mischievous rodents.

Should I get a ferret or a rabbit? Spayed or neutered rabbits kept indoors with proper care may have a lifespan of 8 to 12 years and will be great for you If you want a pet that will be by your side for a long time. On the other hand, ferrets live up to 5 to 9 years.

The answer to this question lies in what you are looking for in a pet. There is no straight yes or no here. Let’s dive in…

Considerations For A Rabbit

Here’s what you should consider before adopting a rabbit. Also, give this rabbit essentials checklist a read.

Rabbits Are Social

Rabbits are very social animals as they depend on each other to survive in the wild. A solo fluffy rabbit is alert at all times but in groups, they all share the responsibility of looking for predators.

Rabbits can only talk to other rabbits, so it makes them feel safe and secure if there is another buddy around. Neutering your rabbit is a good call in case you want to keep two rabbits, but it is also a smart move even if you have one.

They Don’t Like Being Held

Rabbits are very affectionate animals, but this trait may vary from individual to individual. Most rabbits don’t enjoy being held or picked up, but some are even more aloof than others. Bonding with your pet rabbit is hard but not impossible.

The best way to interact with your rabbits is not to hold them but sit on the floor at their level. In the wild, they have to face many different kinds of predators so being elevated in the air may be a very traumatic experience for them.

They Need Lots Of Activity

Rabbits are rather intelligent creatures and they get bored very quickly, so a busy rabbit is a happy rabbit.

The best toy to get rabbits are tunnels, they absolutely love charging through them. Interconnected tubes mimic burrows and they feel at home there. Rabbits are also fascinated by anything light like jingle bells that they can throw.

Egg boxes filled with food also keep them busy as they have to chew through them in order to get to the food. Treat balls are also another way to keep them entertained as they would have to roll them over to get food. Cardboard tubes filled with food and hay are also a hit with them as they have to work very hard to reach the food.

Bunnies absolutely love to make a mess, so getting them a seed tray or litter box is also a great idea. One of their natural instincts is digging, and they will dig through their box excitedly.

Rabbits Need A Varied Diet

Contrary to popular belief rabbits don’t just munch on vegetables all day. For a healthy rabbit, you need to provide it with a balanced diet.

Grass or hay are the most prominent components of their diet. Fresh vegetables are only a small portion of their intake. The vegetables you can feed your rabbit include romaine lettuce, kale, broccoli, parsley, and small pieces of apple, pineapple, and carrot. Pineapple is actually very good for their digestion but should only be fed once or twice a week.

They Are Not Cheap Pets

There are many costs associated with keeping rabbits as pets, such as food, toys, a cage, vaccinations, and vet bills to name a few. Rabbits may seem aloof and low-maintenance but they require the same amount of care and attention as any other pet.

You need to make regular appointments to get their teeth checked, get tested for parasites, and for vaccinations.

Rabbit-Proof Your House!

If you want to give your rabbit free reign to roam around the house and do not have ample space or a cage to keep them, it is better for all parties involved that your house is made safe for the rabbit.

Rabbits love to chew and will chew on almost everything, including cables and furniture. You can tape the cables or just keep them out of the reach of the rabbit. You can protect your furniture by covering it with plastic or wood coverings or installing cardboard barriers. Also, make sure that your rabbit has a lot of chew toys.

Considerations For A Ferret

Here’s what you should consider before getting a ferret. We also help you choose between a male and female ferret in this article.

Ferrets Eat Meat

Ferrets are omnivores, but most of their diet is dominantly carnivorous. They also need plenty of fresh water as they are very active animals and can get dehydrated easily. Learn how much water your ferret should be drinking here.

The best food for them is a high-quality animal protein that is digestible. They have short digestive tracts and fast metabolism, which means they eat frequently and they eat a lot.

Ferrets need a diet that is high in fat and protein. These help to provide energy to the ferrets and help them in maintaining their active lifestyle.

They Don’t Enjoy Eating

Ferrets are not obsessed with food; they only eat as much as they need so there is no overfeeding problem, unlike other pets. This makes it easier for you as you can allow ferrets to have access to food at all times and you do not have to follow a feeding schedule.

Remember not to feed your ferret dog food, as it will fill it up but not provide them with the nutrition it requires.

It is quite common for pet owners to feed their ferrets cat food. Cat food has at least 20% fat and 36% protein. You can also feed them frozen chicks and mice.

Be warned that many human foods are very toxic and bad for the health of ferrets. Things like tobacco, chocolate, and caffeine should never be fed to these creatures. Milk and onions are also dangerous for them.

You Can Train Ferrets

Giving your pet ferrets treats is also fine and using them is the only way to train them. There are many ferrets treats that you can buy at your local pet store as well as online.

Offering the little critters fruits and vegetables is also fine, but remember to do everything in moderation. Many people are against feeding them vegetables and fruits due to the amounts of sugar they contain. Sugar is bad for the intestine of the ferrets and can also cause cancer among them.

Ferrets Need Lots Of Attention

Ferrets are very energetic and require constant attention. They love to cause mischief and play.

You need to play with them a few times a day in order to keep them amused as they are very intelligent, curious, and prone to boredom. Providing your ferret with a lot of toys is very important.

They will pick things from your house and turn them into toys if you do not give them something to play with. The best toys for these little creatures are durable and small. Some great toys for ferrets are tunnels, swings, and hammocks.

They Cannot Survive In The Wild

Ferrets were domesticated a long time ago and they are not like their wild cousins such as weasels, badgers, and otters. If they unfortunately escape into the outside world they cannot survive for long. This makes it extremely important to supervise them at all times and confine them to a certain space. Make a room for them especially and then ferret-proof it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Am I supposed to clip my rabbit’s nails? 

You do have to clip the nails of your bunny as the nails get very long quickly. Never to cut the nails so low that the poor fellow begins to bleed. Cutting your rabbit’s nails once every two months is fine.

How do I hold my rabbit?

Hold them in a way that their feet are resting against your body. Support their hindquarters in one of your hands and their upper side on the other hand.