Should I get a non deaf Ferret?

Hm, sounds to me like there is more wrong with your ferret than it being deaf.

Ordinarily I would not suggest to take an animal back, but considering your relative inexperience with ferret care it would be a good idea in my opinion.

If you do not want to do that, take him to see a vet.

There are so many things that can go wrong with a ferret, you'd need a vet to really get a good look at him.

If deafness was all there was wrong with him I'd suggest you hook up with a ferret group of knowledgeable ferret owners and figure it out. Deaf ferrets can be very rewarding pets.

So, it's up to you.

BTW, I would never buy a ferret at Petco or most large chain stores. Lots of employees don't know what they're doing and others really don't care enough to learn.

Ever think of adopting? Check out http://www.petfinder.com/

Good luck to you and your fuzzy.

This ferret is going to be a long term project, you will need time and patience with him. If you cant do that, take him back and tell the store he is deaf, so they can get him to someone who can give the time he will need. If you do keep him (congratulations on your dedication) and find a ferret shelter, they can help you with training tips and recommend ferret knowledgeable vets. It sounds like he needs a good check up. Stumbling, and drunk acting are not normal for a ferret. Normal ferret eye site is 3-4 feet. He should be able to walk just fine. Now blindness may be a whole other issue. Please, if you do return him, before you buy another, check out a ferret shelter, there are a great deal of homeless fuzzies around that need a good home too. and shelters are great resources for info, help, and recommendations. Adopting is usually cheaper too.

Your ferret may be deaf I just got a new ferret that doesn t respond to sounds and flips his head back all the time he also has the "blaze" markings you can look at certain web pages that will show the common markings for deaf ferrets this is a good source because 75% of the ferrets with these markings are deaf. I don t recommend taking your ferret to the vet because some of the tests can be traumatizing. And many vet offices don t have anything to test them with. And ferrets often don t respond to their names. So i recommend doing home testing.

I agree with the other poster that there could be something more wrong with this ferret then being deaf, normally ferrets don't stumble and fall a lot until they are older at least that has been my experience unless they are just young and haven't learned if you aren't paying attention you'll fall off the coach.

Anyway if he is just deaf I would keep him. The way I trained my ferrets I have had 8 of them in my lifetime, is to tap the floor. When they fill the vibrations they come running. I could never just call their name and get them to come to me.

Since it has been less than a month you can take him back to the store. Ferrets are already hard of hearing so it won't really affect his training. There depth perception isn't great, but is much better than what your are describing. His behavior might be signs of something more serious. I would definitely get him checked out. My young ferret jumps 1 1/2 feet from the couch to the coffee table and although he is clutzy never stumbles or acts drunk.

I would keep him.

Most people get 2 ferrets a time, like I did. I had a deaf one and one that could hear. The one the could hear would help the deaf ferret out.

Your ferret could be sick. Stumbling and falling often could be a sign of an insulin issue in your ferret. Please see a vet about this.

As far as deafness is concerned...deaf ferrets are still trainable and MOST ferrets, even ones that can hear, do not respond to their name when called.

I'm thinkng of the ferret. Considering the fact that you are inexpierienced and have a dog, I would take him back and tell the people at the pet store that he is deaf so that they can see that he gets an appropriate home.

Keep him and love him. Ferrets are hard to train anyway. It just makes him more special.