This thread is kind of odd... why not just get the a/c thingy and cages and whatever else you've got concocted for the poor animal and go for a weekend tour with him? Surely that'll tell you more than a bunch of random folks on the internet ever could.

I'd rather not have anything extra to worry about on a tour, but I rather like being alone so not having a pet is just a bonus to me.

Train ferret to catch rabbits and then you'll have dinner every night

Ha ha. That's a thought. You can put a hamster just about anywhere.

You certainly are a minimalist. Most of us probably would not include dumpster diving as part of our travel planning. however, I do understand it. While others might critisize, I salute you. The heartiest and most flexible individuals go farther and last longer than the average men.

Openmindedgent, it appears from your posts that you are a person of eccentricity. Of course, that is meant in a positive way. You may notice that you have ideas and plans that seem outlandish to the average person, but which seem quite normal and do-able to you. You might take action, travel, explore and do things in way that others advise against and perhaps call weird. Upon your successful return, people are fascinated and intrigued by the stories of your grand adventures and some even doubt the truthfulness because to them, it all sounds just too incredulous, but YOU were there seeing the world with real dust under your feet while others watch the world from their couch.

Anyway, our eccentric friend, sometimes you find that your great ideas could use some tempering from like-minded adventurers with, perhaps a different perspective or additional experience.

I would say that your pet ferret is far too important of a companion for you to risk losing it on a bicycle tour. Another forum member mentioned that ferrets might not be legal in some states or municipalities. It would be a terrible loss if some power-drunk policeman or sherrif or deputy or animal control person confiscated your pet during your tour. The ill things that could happen to your ferret friend are numerous and realistic. Probably, the risk is not worth the award. You will have to weigh that yourself, of course but from the outside looking in, it seems like a risk too great for a pet of which you are so attached.

well said Mike

I have a chinchilla and they are also sensitive to heat. I don't take him on my bike, but I did go to Lowe's and buy a 1' square of marble tile for him to lie on when it's too hot. I believe it cost $1.49 and it does a very good job of keeping him cool. Not sure how much heat it can deal with though. Maybe some type of cold pack in the bottom of your basket with the square of marble on top would do it.

I really wouldn't want to take an animal like that on a long tour though. Way to much stress for the both of you.

A heat sink for a chinchilla?:lol:
I'm thinking perhaps a CPU heatsink with battery-operated fan might work for a small critter.:roflmao2:

Yep. They sell them for that purpose, but it was much cheaper to just buy a single tile. Much larger too.
Chin Chiller http://www.cutepettoys.com/wp-conten...et-Toys_92.jpg

There is a hilarious recording from 1999 of then-mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, when he hosted a weekly call-in show. A constituent apparently repeatedly called him regarding ferrets, and Giuliani eventually went off on the guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxLP6...eature=related

the Giuliani audio starts around 0:15 seconds, and gets pretty amusing beginning at the one minute point. Toward the end, it unfortunately turns into a political ad (not for Giuliani, however).

I used to think Guiliani was a hell of a megalomaniac before Trump started jumping the shark.:twitchy:

How the hell did you come up with that link?

Thank you very much, Mike, that was the best advice so far. I do see myself as an eccentric and most everything I do is strange to those who have not lived my life or experienced what I have. I will be doing extensive touring this year, but I will be doing it alone. I will, however, be taking Mufasah around town in his little basket so we can share the thrill of traveling via bicycle. I am glad I posted on here because I knew a comrade could make something click in my wild mind and put me back on solid ground. I will continue to think outside of the box but I will be smart and safe as well so my pet and I can have many more bike rides down the road. Thanks again.

I think quite a few people here are making some pretty wild assumptions about ferrets because they know about other animals. Ferrets are not dogs, aren't cats, and aren't hamsters, and knowledge about them doesn't necessarily apply to ferrets. Their needs and tolerances are very different.

My best advice to you would be to consult with other ferret-owners and see what they think about the heat issue... that may be your only sticking point. I have some experience with ferrets, but not biking with one... my initial thought is that if you keep a container of ice in his cage and ample water with him he'll be okay... you'll have to stop and change it every now and then. I second the notion that you should take a short trip and see how he does. It should be obvious if he's not enjoying himself.

EDIT: Also, as was mentioned, taking a siesta in the hottest part of the day and instead riding in the mornings and late into the evenings may help the problem as well.

Cage seems like a non-issue to me. I know it's pretty common practice to cage ferrets while the owners are off at work (8 hours), so I don't think a decent sized cage on a moving bicycle will be bad for the little guy, providing you don't go for too long without a break for outside-time. Ferrets, unlike dogs or cats, are OK to be caged for some time, especially with companionship... it's not bad for the animal. I think the same would go for sleeping - caged in the tent with you would solve litter and shelter problems... just be sure you take lots of breaks and he gets a lot of chances to run about during the day. Again, you know your pet, and you'll know when he isn't happy with things.

I'm very skeptical of animal troubles, but I guess maybe if you're super deep you might have problems.

As far as some states' ridiculous ban on ferrets, this is definitely something to be aware of. Either know ahead of time, or have a way to find out and change plans if you are doing this on-the-fly. They will not let you go through border crossings if it's banned, and getting caught when you aren't supposed to have one will result in a fine and a confiscation of your buddy.

As far as this thread being odd, I'm not sure why. People travel with pets all the time, and ferrets have been domesticated for nearly as long as cats and dogs and served similar purposes (companionship, hunting, etc). Just because it's not a dog doesn't make that weird. Traveling with a pet can be a good experience for both of you... if you can do so in a way that's safe and good for you both, why not? Touring is supposed to be fun, after all. :)

Cheers!

Sounds good! Later on you can try a longer tour with Mufasah I guess. Travelling is a bit stressful but OTOH when I got my first dog it was just before my family drove 2/3rds cross-USA. The puppy was only about 8 weeks old but did fine, never threw up or peed/pooped in the car. Just depends on the critter's inclination I suppose.

Terra-cotta tiles can help keep pets cool. If you keep them moist, the evaporation really helps. Flower pots with a saucer underneath might also work. Or you could just squirt or spray a little water on a tile, which is the way I did it. It works surprisingly well.

I did it with a small cat, and she was very happy with it.

This works best at lower atmospheric humidity levels (=better evaporation rates, and more cooling).

Maybe there are other animals that would be better for long distances?

I just spoke with a woman who is in charge of the pet rats at a large pet store. She says they can make for great, intelligent, affectionate, bonded, lovingly interactive pets, and are among the very best she has seen. There are many exotic types available now. You can also help and save the life of an animal that is otherwise doomed to become reptile food.

When selecting one, it is best to follow suggestions outlined in books, or on knowledgable internet sites. If you get them very young, or find some that have been lovingly handled by humans, they tend to be better pets. Early experiences with humans are important. Also, if you are choosing from a group of young rats, the one(s) that come right up to your hand, and are friendly and fearless and affectionate tend to make better pets when they grow up. Their tendencies when young often carry over into adolescence and adulthood. If one is shy and reclusive when young, it is likely to be something like that later as well. If one is outgoing and fearless and playful, those tendencies also tend to carry over.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&b...aqi=g1&aql=&oq=

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_rat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDy3b...eature=related

Niles H., as a former pet-rat owner, I would never take one on tour.

They're tiny, and the bouncing of a bike or trailer over road surfaces would throw them around and make them pretty unhappy.

In addition, they can squeeze through small places and run really fast, so I'd be afraid of one getting stressed out, escaping, and never being seen again. They don't like living only in their cage (they like outside time, especially if the cage is small) and there'd be no safe place to let them roam, since they could easily chew through a tent.

I went on walks very occasionally with my shyest rat, 'cause I knew she'd stay in the hood of my sweatshirt, or hide in my sleeve, but a braver rat would be more likely to run off to explore.

Pet rats do make excellent pets though. They can be smart and really affectionate.

growing up with various guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice and one rat, Harry the old three legged rat was by far the most intelligent, friendly and full of character than all of them put together.

My first pet at a young age was a rat (3 actually) and in high school my brothers and I raised an albino ferret named Bulvi. I guess we have always been into alternative pets, although dogs are tops.

So funny that your rat was Harry. My first was Harry, then Harry the 2nd, and Harry the third (rest their souls)... I thought myself quite the joker :P

Or a Gerbil... :p:roflmao2:

It will be too hot for the animal.

I like that rats have been brought up - makes it easier for my to illustrate my opinion on this.

I used to have a very memorable rat named Otta. I never actually took her on a tour, but she'd ride in my shirt happily enough while I took my bike around town. I'd bring her to the park and let her run around in the picnic area. I took her up to a rented cabin on Lake Superior once and she eagerly explored the rock pools along the shore. She was very high strung and energetic, but rarely jumpy and she never strayed or wandered off out of eyesight. She'd try to jump onto strangers sometimes(or groom their hair, steal their food, stick her nose in their ear) if I walked too close with her on my shoulder. She'd chase the cat(and a squirrel once, too), or doze off fully exposed on the floor or atop a table.

My six other rats where terrified of the cat, apprehensive about strangers, and wanted no part of being outdoors. Just goes to show that there are animal eccentrics, too, so to speak. Problems such as overheating can be overcome with creativity and probably some money thrown down. If you think your ferret's temperment is suited to touring - well, you know your ferret best.