Question for Landlords -- Would you allow a ferret if you allow cats?

I want to get two ferrets for my apartment, and have worked out where everything would go, even when the ferrets were fully grown and needed a much bigger cage, and that I can afford and care for a ferret. My apartment doesn't allow dogs anymore, but they do allow up to two cats for $25 extra a month.

I consider ferrets caged animals, like guinea pigs, even though they need to roam a little. Logically, I would think that I could have the ferrets for no extra charge, but would be willing to pay the same as though I had two cats.

As a landlord thinking in terms of cats being allowed and not dogs, would you allow ferrets?

Also, to address a big concern, which is the smell... I learned that fixed (neutered or spayed) ferrets actually don't stink. They get de-scented so that wouldn't be an issue.

Whaddaya think? I'm calling my leasing office on Monday.

In response to the smell-related answer (hehe): Yeah, sorry, I didn't mean to say I could eliminate the stink. It's just that people always told me that ferrets literally reek. I know they'll always have a scent. But thank you for the info. ^^;;

I am a landlord but have houses not apartments. I am a softy for pets and allow them but I can tell you I would not accept a ferret as a cat, no. You need to be fully aware of the pets needs and not try to make the ferret into something it is not. And no, they are not a caged animal and I would not accept that explanation for a ferret Ferrets do not do well in cages and MUST have time on a daily basis to explore and run through a large area or they will not be happy and it is cruel to try to keep them in that situation.

I have a cousin who did let renters have a ferret and she was very disappointed in the poop that they found in several places that was hiding, and the oder from the ferret lingered in the carpet so the place required extensive repair before it could be rented again. The renters were friends of hers. Ferrets are members of the weasel and skunk family and have a musky oder that tends to linger even with the most conscientious cleaner. And, confinement to a cage for a ferret without the ability to use their natural senses is just not right. There are a lot of very responsible pet owners out there as renters but as a whole, pets do cause oders and damage to the property even with the best of care.

A ferret is very clean and when properly cared for will learn to use the litter box when out roaming about but they are just not as reliable as a cat. While they do not leave a huge mess on the carpet or floor like a cat does (it's a size difference) when it throws up or misses the box, they do dig at carpet and can cause piles to form. Ferrets have a very fast metabolism and poop about 6 times a day more than a cat so even with the small size, the poop adds up. Because they are carnivores and have very poor digestive tracts, there poop is smelly. Unless the renter/owner is very vigilant on keeping the place clean, cats, dogs, pets all cause oders that are costly to eliminate.

I wonder if you have researched ferrets as a pet and know what is involved in caring for them? It is best to know and understand the issues before you purchase a pet because it is very hard especially on the animal when you have to get rid of them or move out.

You may find a landlord who is willing to accept the ferret's or maybe a roommate in a home who is a ferret lover and where you can work out the damages easier than in an apartment building. Sorry, I have had to clean up after cat owners where I felt sorry for the cats that had to live in the house not to mention the poor children. My bad memories spoiled me on the subject.

Ferrets are NOT legal in all states of the U.S. California being one of them. Report It

Newsflash: FERRETS WILL ALWAYS SMELL LIKE FERRETS.
You can control the odor to an extend, but you will always smell them somewhat, especially if you have two of them.
Maybe if you cleaned the cage daily and the litter boxes two or three times a day you could eliminate most of the smell, but their coats will still have that musky odor.
You can bathe ferrets, but you shouldn't do it more often than once every month or better yet, less than that as bathing dries out their skin and makes them more itchy than they already are. In turn their oil glands go into overdrive to replenish the oils you just removed and your ferrets will smell like a ferret again.
Ferrets in available in pet stores are descented and neutered or spayed, so what you smell is what you get. Unaltered ferrets smell even worse than that, the worst are unaltered males, yuck.
You can litter box train a ferret, true, but most ferrets will never be 100% and go in other corners of the room/house/appartment. And that causes smell as well.
Ferrets should not be considered caged animals. Four hours of out-of-cage playtime is a minimum. So make sure you ferret-proof your place as they are great at figuring out how to get into or out of everything and anything.

Good luck with your landlord. Your best bet would be to ask him/her since his permission for you to keep ferrets largely depends on his experiences with ferrets and their owners in the past. If I were a landlord I wouldn't allow them, as much as I love ferrets or any critter.

Is a ferret a cat? I think NOT!!!

I'm not a landlord, but I had this exact situation a few years ago! Our landlord didn't know what a ferret even was- so we just told him it was a caged animal, although they roamed free most of the time in their own room downstairs. They really love to roam. We'd let them out upstairs too and play with them quite a bit. Just let your landlord know that it is a caged animal and they are small like rodents and you will keep them caged. Your landlord isn't living with you, so he won't know when you let them roam, so as long as you make sure they don't make messes. Ferrets can be litter box trained too, mine were and so they used it just like the cat did when they were roaming upstairs- that was very helpful. So you can also tell him they are litter box trained, too. You shouldn't have to pay anything extra.