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My Mission to Find a Hypoallergenic Pet
When I got married 13 years ago, I married a man who was allergic to dust, every tree on the planet, and anything with feathers. We both love animals and wanted to find a small pet to keep her company—and I decided to go on a mission to find one.
Before meeting my husband, I dated someone who had ferrets. Although they are not like dogs or cats, they are cute and fun to watch running around. When they get tired, they will climb into your lap and go to sleep. A ferret seemed like a possible option for us, and I began researching these little creatures.
What I saw was encouraging; ferrets are hairless—they have hair just like us. The information states that they are hypoallergenic. Yay! We may have a blur or two. I brought this information to my husband, and he thought it was worth it.
Our First Two Ferrets Were A Success
So we went to the pet store and got the cage, bedding, feeding dishes, pans, litter, and food. We went home to set everything up before heading back to the pet store to pick up our two new little fuzzballs.
There are different colors and markings for ferrets; there are panda-marked ferrets, sables with very dark brown fur, chocolate … well, you get the idea. We ended up with a panda and a saber. My wife has had these ferrets for about five years.
Of course, I was the only one who cleaned the cage and gave them a bath so the ferrets wouldn’t be in his face too much. He also always made sure to wash his hands after handling them. I clean the cage weekly, top to bottom, and also clean the litter daily.
When these little guys moved on to greener pastures, we didn’t get another ferret for several years.
Our Third and Fourth Ferrets Are Harder
When we had our son, we wanted him to have a pet. So when he was about three years old, we got him a gray and white ferret. Well, it was horrible for my husband, and he ended up in the hospital that night with an asthma attack.
Needless to say, the next day, the ferret was back in the store, and Petco was fantastic about taking him back and giving us a full refund. They felt horrible during my husband’s trip to the ER.
I think ferret hair color makes a difference. A ferret with lighter hair is softer. Darker ferret’s hair is coarse. I feel softer hair is what my husband did. But who really knows?
About five years ago, we decided to try the ferret thing again. This time we got a sable ferret—little Rascal. My wife has some sensitivity to Rascal, but it is manageable.
Cleaning Tips
Here’s what I do to keep my husband’s allergies at bay around our ferret. This way, we can all enjoy having a pet at home.
- I clean the cage with bleach twice a week. It sounds like a lot, but it only takes about 20 minutes to make. I also change the bed at this time.
- I don’t use bleach on his food and water dishes, just soap and water for those.
- Once a month, I break down the cage and wash it with soap and water to get all the fur and dust out of it. This again sounds like a bit, but it only takes about 30 minutes.
Ferret cages on the market are easy to break down and clean. You can use them or, of course, in pet stores. Also, you can build your own. I have friends who just made a wood frame with chicken wire.
I like store cages because they are easier to clean where they are plastic, and ferrets are less likely to get cut in them. They climb into the cages, and thin the chicken wire, which cuts through the pads on the ferret’s feet.
My wife doesn’t touch her much. When he does, he makes a point not to touch her face. When he’s done handling Rascal, he washes his hands. By taking these steps, he is fine with her, and it’s great for our son to have a pet to care for.
So Are Ferrets Really Hypoallergenic?
Again my wife does well with darker ferrets. I have friends with allergies, and they have no problem with their ferrets as long as they keep the cage clean and wash after handling them. I guess, like many things in life, it depends on the individual.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not intended to replace diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals showing signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
© 2013 Alison
Comments
Furlover89 on February 06, 2019:
I would be careful using bleach, ferrets are sensitive and can have breathing issues. God forbid there is enough residue to cause a fatal accident. Warm water with vinegar and a little lemon juice works well. The best food source for ferrets is a raw diet, if only dry kibble is available, it needs to be high in protein/fat. Puppy pads in the corners of the room for when they are free roaming, you can cut them to size to fit the corners of the cage or yesterday’s news pellets work well too.
Brooke on March 13, 2016:
DO NOT USE CLAY OR CLUMPING CAT LITTER.
Ferrets breathe in the dust and if it gets into their lungs, it will clump together and slowly kill them. And make it difficult for them to breathe.
Alison (author) from USA on January 07, 2014:
I have been using clay litter which I have had for the past 13 years and lost our first ferret @ age ten. Our current ferret is 5 years old and has no problems. I was also never issued with their order. I keep the prison very clean. Thanks for your point well taken and for others reading it will be on their minds. Thanks for reading
Amber on January 07, 2014:
I would be careful about using kitty litter a lot of kitty litter is made of clay and produces dust which can be very bad for the ferrets respiratory system unless you use pelleted cat litter which is recycled paper which does not produce dust ma- just be careful. I have five ferrets and I was using clay litter until I read about the dangers of it and switched to pelleted litter they seem to be healthier and happier now and it really hides the smell well.
Alison (author) from USA on November 29, 2013:
It’s true that I use Paul Newman’s own cat food and have never had a problem. You need to use a higher grade cat food that costs a little less than the ferret foods on the market. Thanks for your point well taken. Merry Thanksgiving and Christmas..
retweet on November 28, 2013:
be careful sometimes cat food is too high in sugar for ferrets, also fish in some can make ferrets smell worse
