Inquisitive, carnivorous animals known for their playful nature and knack for mischief. They enjoy human companionship as much as that of other ferrets, and are trainable.
Pros: Quiet; affectionate; enjoy human interaction; can be litter trained; very intelligent.
Cons: Mischievous; can bite if not properly socialized; can be destructive; have a strong musky odour.
Food: Commercial ferret kibble; cooked meat (chicken, turkey, beef) in moderation.
Housing: Large, well-ventilated cage; litter box with pellet-form litter, which should be cleaned daily.
Exercise: Ferrets require at least several hours a day outside their cages to play and explore.
Possible medical issues: Rabies (require vaccination); Aleutian disease virus; heartworms or fleas if let outside.
Life expectancy: Six to 10 years.
Benoit says: Ferret-proof your home. "Owners can't leave anything out that could be chewed into small pieces and then swallowed, because ferrets will eat it and suffer blockages, which requires surgery."
Chinchillas
Cute rodents known for their luxuriously soft fur. They are most active at night, and their naturally nervous nature may not be suited for rowdier households.
Pros: No dander, so less likely to cause allergies; no natural odour.
Cons: Can be skittish; chew everything so homes need to be fully chinchilla-proofed; can overheat in warm temperatures; do not like to be picked up; require dust baths about three times a week with special "chinchilla dust" (purchased at pet stores) to keep fur clean; extremely sensitive to diet changes.
Food: Commercial chinchilla pellets; cubes of hay; treats can include raisins, fresh apple and banana.
Housing: Multilevel (minimum 76- [height] by 61- [length] by 38- [width] centimetres) cage to allow climbing, set against a wall or in a corner in a quiet room away from cords and wires.
Exercise: Require a few hours outside the cage each day to move about and explore; a chinchilla wheel for in-cage exercise.
Possible medical issues: Overgrown teeth; heatstroke; constipation or diarrhea.
Life expectancy: Ten to 15 years, though some can live as long as 20 years.
Benoit says: Be prepared for poop! "They eat a lot of roughage. You will have to do frequent cleanings of their cage because they constantly produce stool."
Degus
These rodents look like large gerbils and are native to Chile. It's recommended that you get them in same-sex pairs.
Pros: Sociable; like to be let out to play; will bond with owners.
Cons: Do not like to be handled; need large habitats; voracious chewers, so degu-proofing rooms is important; do not like to be alone.
Food: Guinea pig food or chinchilla pellets; hay; fresh vegetables; nuts as an occasional treat.
Housing: Large, multitiered cage (minimum 61- [length] by 46- [width] by 61- [height] centimetres); aspen, pine or newspaper bedding.
Exercise: They need a lot, and on a daily basis – degu wheels, climbing frames, a box of soft soil for digging and toys for play.
Possible medical issues: Prone to diabetes; chronic respiratory disease; teeth problems; mouth infections.
Life expectancy: Five to 10 years.
Benoit says: Handle with great care. "If the owners are not careful and they grab them by the tail, it will cause the tail to slough off. The skin comes off and you're left with the bone and muscle."
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