Do Cats and Ferrets Get Along?

Do Cats and Ferrets Get Along? Ferrets are lovable and playful animals, but some cats may view them as threats.

Some ferrets may also try to chase or bite cats.

If your ferret is playing too roughly with your cat, it’s best to separate the two animals until their playtime calms down.

Do Cats Like Ferrets?

Ferrets are playful, small mammals that can be trained to perform tricks.

They’re also very curious and investigate any new animal in their environments.

Ferrets have been bred for generations to have a hunting instinct, so they may run after cats or even try to play with them.

Cats are usually not interested in ferret games because the two animals play differently and move at different speeds.

But, some cats will recognize ferret behavior as playful and respond by engaging ferrets in the heavy-handed playing of their own.

Can Cats And Ferrets Be Friends?

In general, if your cats and ferrets have grown up together from a young age, they are more likely to be friends.

They will also generally get along better with other pets if they grow up with them.

If you want to introduce adult ferrets or kittens into the mix of existing cats and dogs, it’s important that all animals get along well at first sight. Introduce them in neutral territory, like a cat room with their owners nearby to watch the interaction.

When introducing new playmates for your kitties and ferrets (or any type of pet), take turns watching the action!

One person should always keep an eye on everyone playing so as not to let things escalate too quickly toward fisticuffs.

It’s best not to leave new friends alone until everyone is comfortable around one another.

In this case, what seems like play at first can turn into a fight, and everyone must understand the rules of how things are supposed to be done.

Will My Cat Hurt My Ferret?

Although cats and ferrets may seem like unlikely companions, the two can often get along peacefully.

But don’t be surprised if your cat isn’t interested in having a ferret as a companion or even within its territory.

Cats are predators that hunt and eat small animals; they were bred to do so over thousands of years.

But, ferrets are domesticated prey animals with strong flight responses.

But I would prefer not to be eaten by any animal large enough to catch them!

Many people who own both cats and ferrets report no problems at all.

A cat that has grown up with ferret siblings or is used to encountering them outdoors may accept their presence without incident.

Do Cats Eat Ferrets?

Ferrets aren’t on the menu of most cats.

Cats may bite or scratch ferrets, but they don’t hunt them specifically for food.

In nature, a cat that kills and eats a ferret isn’t likely to survive more than one meal because other predators will eat it in turn.

Ferrets are too small for adult cats to bother with eating.

Their teeth are also not sharp enough to puncture the tough skin of ferret prey animals like rabbits and mice.

Yet, an adolescent cat can mistake a young or baby ferret as potential prey.

Especially if he smells its scent in his territory, whether from droppings or urine marking.

They’ll kill it out of instinct rather than hunger.

Your best bet is to leave your pet on its own when introducing another new animal into your home, especially one you know little about.

Are Ferrets Dangerous To Cats?

Are ferrets dangerous to cats?

Ferrets are small mammals belonging to the weasel family.

They have long, slender bodies and short legs to move swiftly.

Ferrets have sharp teeth and claws that they can use in a fight when defending themselves against threats.  

It’s important to handle them while taking proper precautions.

This is complemented by their slender body, which allows them to dart into hiding places if danger approaches.  

They’re built perfectly for escaping predators such as larger feline species!

The combination of these defense mechanisms makes the ferret very difficult for enemies with shorter teeth or no claws at all to catch.

Ferrets have a reputation for being “coy”, but this is an urban legend that ferret breeders have promoted.

They want people to believe their animals are fragile and easily frightened.

The opposite is true!

Ferrets are very hardy creatures with a strong sense of self-preservation and can defend themselves when needed!

Adults can be vicious in defense if cornered or attacked—they will bite, scratch, or even kill intruders if necessary.

A ferret may bite while defending itself against other animals (such as cats) because it thinks they’re attacking its young.

This behavior should never be encouraged in pet ferrets; instead, it should be seen as normal and simply ignored.

It’s important to watch your pet during playtime, so you know exactly what behavior your ferret exhibits at any given moment!

Similarities Between Cats And Ferrets

Both cats and ferrets are carnivores, which means that their bodies were designed to consume other animals for food.

In the wild, both of these pets would be hunters themselves, stalking prey to eat it.

Today’s domesticated housecat is as much a hunter as its ancestor!

If you own a cat and never allow it to hunt mice or birds outside your home, it’s a good chance that the kitty will hunt the first opportunity it can.

Ferrets likewise need high-protein diets matched with limited amounts of carbohydrates and fiber.

The result is a diet very similar in makeup to those consumed by typical lions or wolves. 67% protein (from animal sources), 25% fat, 5% carbohydrate (compared with 40%, 50%, 10%).

Meaning today’s pet ferret may not have changed since prehistoric times!

Pet Needs

Ferrets are a unique and entertaining pet to have in your home.

Their mischievous personalities can be amusing, but they need more than cat food, water, and toys.

Like cats, ferrets need their own litter box that is cleaned daily, as well as plenty of space for playtime with interactive toys.

Ferret cages should also provide bedding material such as straw or hay where the animal can sleep at night.

Many ferret owners choose to keep their animals indoors, so they don’t run off or get lost.

But, you must still supervise them whenever they’re out of their cage to prevent damage around your home.  

If you already have a cat-friendly household (for example, if both pets are spayed/neutered).

Then adding a ferret won’t be too much trouble because she’ll fit right into it without requiring any extra equipment or changes in routines.

But, one thing you will have to do is provide your ferret with a safe place to hide when she’s feeling threatened.  

Along with toys and other playthings that will help keep her amused.

Are Ferrets Related To Cats?

No, they aren’t related to cats.

Although ferrets and domestic cats may seem like similar creatures, their ancestry is different.

The ferret family includes mink, otters, badgers of the mustelid family, weasels, polecats, and minks.  

Ferrets have some crossover with cats due to their shared characteristics, such as a thin fur coat that keeps them warm in most climates.

Along with:

• long whiskers on their faces for detecting prey
• acute hearing and sense of smell
• sharp teeth designed for killing prey using swift bites to neck or skull areas
• claws designed more for digging than gripping things like dog paws are
• eyes situated on the sides of the head, allowing them good peripheral vision while hunting 

But they have poor binocular vision, which leaves them vulnerable to predators if they shoot their gaze in the wrong direction.

Plus, a four-chambered heart gives them an advantage over other animals’ endurance, speed, and strength.

Do Ferrets Play With Cats?

Ferrets are social animals that enjoy the company of other ferrets and people.

They don’t live as long as cats, but they love to play and explore their surroundings.

But, when your cat doesn’t feel like playing, it may become annoyed by the ferret.

That’s especially true for cats that don’t have other companions (aside from you).

They may not understand why a furry creature is pestering them or trying to wrestle with them.

If your cat stays aloof around the ferret, try enticing her with treats or toys to get her more involved in playtime activities with your pet rodent.

Can Ferrets Eat Cat Food?

Ferrets are carnivores, which means that they need meat in their diets.

While domesticated ferrets can eat some plant matter, they need the protein and fat found in meat to keep their bodies healthy.

Some ferret owners feed cat food to their ferrets.

These have higher protein content and are lower carbohydrates.  

So they provide your pet with nutrients while minimizing calories.

An important consideration when choosing diet options for active pets like ferrets who burn energy during playtime.

Ferrets tend to avoid foods that include salmon oil or other flavors designed to make them more enticing for cats.

So, these ingredients may be unnecessary if your goal is minimal fuss with mealtime.

Also, remember that even though ferrets can eat cat food, they should not be fed only on this type of diet.

How To Introduce Ferrets To Cats

In general, ferrets can eat cat food without a problem.

But, if your cat is picky about her diet and only eats one brand of food, it may be best to stick with the same brand for your pet as well.

This is because cats have more sensitive digestive systems than dogs or ferrets and might reject anything different.

You should also watch out when you transition your ferret from kitten chow or another formula to an adult feline diet that contains fish.

Ferrets tend to dislike the flavor of fish-based foods and may start refusing meals if they are fed this type of cat food long-term.

Also, any added dyes or additives in these foods could cause stomach upset in small animals like ferrets who do not need them at all!

Prepare The Ferret’s Cage

Ferrets will spend a lot of time in their cage, so it’s important to make sure they are comfortable.

It is also very important to remember that ferrets get bored easily.

They need places to hide, such as boxes and tubes; places for playtime like tunnels and hammocks; and things for them to chew on.

If you want your ferret’s life enriched, then you can even give him or her some toys stuffed with treats inside that he or she has to work at getting out!

You may think this sounds silly, but the fact is, any animal would be grateful if offered enrichment activities like these.

Allow Your Cat Near The Cage

Although ferrets and cats will fight, they can learn to get along.

To encourage peaceful coexistence, be consistent in your training so that both animals understand the rules.

The first step is to teach your cat not to hiss or scratch at the cage when your ferret is out.

If this behavior goes unchecked, one day there might likely be a serious altercation between them.

It’s much easier to prevent such problems than fix them later on!

Use a spray bottle filled with water and give them a stern “NO” whenever they get aggressive toward the cage while your ferret is inside.

This technique should only take a few sessions before they realize bad things happen when they misbehave around the cage.

Soon enough, she’ll learn not to bother Ferretie Joe while he’s out!

Let Your Cat Sniff The Ferret

In the interest of ferret-kitty harmony, it’s important to let your cat sniff the new addition before anything else happens.

As soon as you introduce them, put a harness on your ferret and hold him in place while allowing your kitty to approach at his own pace.

Encourage him by making “nice kitty” sounds and petting both animals if they seem comfortable.

Remember that cats are predators, so this may take some time; be patient! If either one becomes aggressive or standoffish, separate them.

Then reprimand them with a stern voice command (“no!”) and try again after everyone has calmed down for a few minutes.

Allow Your Animals To Play

You need to ensure that your cat and ferret are getting along well.

You will know the level of their relationship by how they interact with one another.

Hopefully, you feel comfortable letting them play together.

Your goal is to have them accept each other’s presence instead of being fearful or aggressive towards one another.  

But, it may take some time for this to happen.

Even if the two seem friendly at first, a scuffle might break out later due to territorial issues or no clear reason.

If you see signs that trouble could be brewing between your cat and ferret during playtime!

You should lead the ferret away from the situation before anything happens.

Do not take things too far because both animals should be able to get used to each other.

As long as there aren’t any major problems occurring between them throughout these playtime sessions together.

It also helps if you sense when your pet wants nothing more to do with the ferret, that is a good sign to end their playtime together.

If your cat has been taking advantage of the ferret or become more aggressive towards them.

You may have to take things slowly when introducing them again.

Do not allow any roughhousing or chasing as these are signs of aggression in either animal.

Final Thoughts, Do Cats And Ferrets Get Along?

Always remember that your cat and ferret are living together daily.

They will have to learn how to co-exist with one another for their relationship to work out.
Don’t let the situation get too out of hand, but be patient as both animals adjust over time.

Your feline friend may even begin acting more affectionate towards the new addition.

Especially if he or she sees that there is no reason for him or her to be afraid of your ferret!

FAQs