Being a Ferret Parent

There are many issues to consider before becoming a ferret parent. Among these, but not all inclusive, are:

1. Ferrets are very social animals and enjoy human interaction. They are not a pet to be caged for days on end. Most ferret owners acquire a second ferret so their first ferret has a playmate and someone to snuggle with while no one is home.

2. Ferrets need be let out of their cage for 2 - 4 hours EVERY day for exercise. Ferrets are very intelligent and should have toys or other stimulation available when they want to play. A good size cage can run $150, and most likely will run more.

3. Ferrets, generally, are not cheap to purchase. Pet stores charge any where from $89 to $149 per ferret. Shelters charge $50 and more for a ferret and interview potential adopters to determine if a ferret is right for that family and help to determine which ferret personality would make a good fit. Ferret personalities are about as varied as human personalities.

4. Ferrets need either a room that has been ferret-proofed or a cage when they are not being supervised because they are very curious and mischevious. Ferrets can escape through very small openings. Any room in your home that you plan to let your ferret run free in, needs to be ferret-proofed to cover any opening that your ferret might be able to get through.

5. Ferrets do have a natural musky odor to them. They are part of the weasel family. Even ferrets that have had their scent glands removed still have the musky odor to them because the odor does not come from the scent glands, it comes from glands in their skin.

6. Good quality ferret food can be expensive. I've found it to run $12.99 to $18.99 for a 4 pound bag. Ferrets must be fed high animal-protein, high fat foods. Some folks mix high quality cat/kitten foods that meet the animal-protein/fat guidelines for ferrets with other high quality ferret foods to defray costs.

7. A mix of three foods should be fed to your ferret(s). This ensures that if one food is no longer available, they will have other foods that they recognize as food to eat. Ferrets imprint on foods and it can be difficult to get them to change foods.

8. Even though ferrets sleep 18 - 20 hours a day, they still need a large cage for those times they are awake and are not out of the cage, so they have room to play while being caged.

9. Wire cage floors are hard on ferret feet. The floor needs to be covered with vinyl flooring, blankets, cage mats, or other suitable material so that the ferrets are not walking on bare wire. Ferrets can get their feet caught in the wires and hurt themselves.

10. Ferrets should have other bedding in their cage or available to them. Bedding could be sleepsacks, hammocks, human t-shirts or sweatshirts, etc.

11. Most ferrets will require at least one major surgery in their lives, whether it be for adrenal disease, insulinoma, a blockage, or many other health issues.

12. Ferrets require annual vaccines for distemper and possibly rabies. Some areas do not require rabies vaccines, while other areas do.

13. Ferrets cannot be seen competently by just any veternarian. You will need to find a veternarian in your area that is ferret knowledgeable and can competently perform surgery on your ferret if the need arises. You would do your ferret(s) a favor to find a vet before you give a ferret a forever home in your home.

14. While some older children may be responsible enough to properly care for a ferret, ferrets are high maintence, expensive pets. They require much more work on the humans part than a cat or dog. Ferrets are not a pet to acquire to teach a child responsibility. Ferrets can live as many as 12 years.

15. Your area may require you to obtain a permit to have a ferret as a pet. Ferrets are illegal in some areas altogether. Check your local ordinances/law/statutes to find if you need permits and if ferrets are legal in your area.

16. I recommend researching any pet before you bring one home. While no one knows all there is to know about any subject, a pet is a living being and it is in the best interest of all concerned for the humans to have an idea of what their new pet will require.

There are many resources on the Internet also. Check out my Links Page. There are many sites listed there containing ferret information.