Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm alergic to cats and dogs, but I petted a ferret at petco yesterday and didn't get any reaction!! Do ferrets have a different kind of fur or something? I've always wanted a pet ferret but I assumed I was alergic to them.

I have heard of many people who were allergic to cats but not to ferrets, so it is entirely possible that you ar not allergic to them. My understanding of cat allergies (which is limited) it is more the saliva and dander that causes the allergy than they hair, the hair just holds all that from bathing, etc. I also know a person who is allergic to cats, but uses Allerpet C (this is an allergy relief shampoo that is used on cats, allerpet D is for dogs) on her ferrets when she bathes them and has very minimal reaction, if any.
However, I recommend you either buy or borrow a copy of Ferrets for Dummies and visit a ferret shelter or spend time with someone who has ferrets before you get one for yourself. They are more high maintenance that a cat or dog, and have different needs. Also surf on www.ferretcentral.org to get lots of other info on ferrets as well. You might be able to locate a shelter in your area. There are plenty of homeless ferrets out there, so consider giving one of them a home before you buy one. The shelter can also be a source for a vet reference (you will need one that knows about ferrets) and to answer any questions you have about ferret ownership.

My friends son has asthma and is allergic to cats, dogs, etc...they recently got a ferret and he loves playing with it, and they have had no allergic reactions at all
Sarah
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Sarah
|1 paradise fish, Otis|1 green iguana, Zephyr|2 ferrets,Kody & Roxy|6 painted turtles, Mikka, Leo, Don, Raphy, April, & Poe|5 goldfish, Curly, Moe, Shark, Wiggle, & Fishie Joe|2 applesnails, Timmy & Tommy|2 hedgehogs, Aiden & Loribelle(with babies!)

Ferrets are a completely different species than cats or dogs, despite the fact that some of their needs are similar esp. to cats. Ferrets are in the skunk, weasel, otter family. Therefore, their fur and dander may not necessarily cause an allergic reaction. Also, you can "outgrow" some allergies (notice "some" as such things as food allergies are not often "outgrown" and testing by an allergist is recommended). When I was in my teens (after the Pilgrims landed! L'ing! sort of!) I developed a severe allergy to rabbits. So, even at my job at the time, I stayed away as best I could.
Many yrs. later my husband & I wanted to get a rabbit. So I went to several pet stores and I held rabbits for 5-10 mins., lnger than it would have taken for an allergic reaction. Nothing! Zip - Zero.
So we got a rabbit and we had her for about 10 yrs. before she dies from natural causes (she was a dwarf) and I did't have a prblem in all that time. Just something for you to consider re cats & dogs. However, I totally agree with the previous post - you need to do lots & lots of research before getting a ferret as they are "different" than having cats or dogs.
Nancy

I've been doing tons of research ever since I saw a ferret in the pet store, even though my parents won't let me buy a ferret no matter how much I beg. I sorta have a lot of pets... but I'm commited to all of them, even if they take up a lot of time. I'll be going to college in three years or so, hopefully I'll find an apartment or something that allows pets. I'd probably buy one someday even if I was alergic but it's really great that I can still tolerate ferrets even though I'm alergic to other furry things.