What Every Prospective Ferret Owner Needs to Know

What Every Prospective Ferret Owner Needs to Know

The purchase price of a ferret can vary widely, ranging from $65 to more than $250. You will also need to budget for spaying or neutering your new pet, so check with your veterinarian for costs before making your purchase decision.

Be extra careful to safeguard the contents of cabinets and drawers to prevent your ferret from opening them, and to keep medicines, soaps, cleaners, etc. safely out of your ferret's reach. Close toilet lids to avoid drowning accidents, and supervise sinks, bathtubs, buckets, etc. any time that they are filled with water. Aquariums should also be covered.

While many ferret owners feed cat or kitten food, that is in large part because there are simply very few ferret foods available. In any case, avoid fish and fish-flavored cat food, which can create a litterbox odor problem, and do not feed your ferret dog food as that will fill your ferret up without providing some of the necessary nutrients.  One of the best ferret foods to keep your ferret healthy is made by Wysong.

Because they are natural hunters, ferrets usually can't be trained to get along with birds, fish, rabbits, lizards, or rodents. Ferrets can generally be trained to get along with dogs and cats.

Because of their curiosity and energy as well as their physiology, ferrets can-and do-squeeze into very small spaces. Depending on the size of your ferret (hobs are about twice as big as jills), you will want to be certain to block all holes over 1/2" x 1". Ferrets are prone to playing literally underfoot.

Ferrets like to nest, so be wary of allowing them near couches, sofas, beds, and sofa beds. Fasten heavy fabric or thin plywood across the bottoms of couches, sofas, etc. Because ferrets love to nibble on floor fabrics, you may need to place a plastic carpet protector over any sections that your pet finds especially appetizing.

Healthy ferrets naturally have only a slight musky odor that comes from a gland under the skin. Descenting your ferret, removing the scent sac, will not help the natural musky healthy odor and it can lead to a host of medical problems. Neutered ferrets will rarely release their scent unless they are extremely agitated or frightened.

Unlike cats, ferrets don't naturally prefer to use a litterbox. Start a ferret using a corner box inside its cage or in a very small area, and then gradually allow more freedom as it continues to use the box. You may need to keep a small amount of dirty litter in the pan for a little while to help your pet understand the box's purpose, and you can discourage the ferret from using other corners of the room or enclosure by covering them with bedding or food bowls.



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Many prospective ferret owners are naturally concerned about how well a ferret would get along with their children or other pets. The child must also be old enough to handle the responsibility of caring for the ferret. Ferrets are not recommended for a household with children younger than 6 or 7 years, and especially close supervision would be required around babies or infants.

Ferrets love to play, so be sure to provide lots of toys in lots of variety for them. Most cat toys are great for ferrets, but ferrets are harder on them than a cat would be. Specially made ferret hammocks, swings, and tunnels are also great favorites and will provide hours of amusement.

If you wish to get a kit, for most people, the ideal age kit will be between eight to sixteen weeks, although they are often sold as little as six weeks old. A kit less than eight weeks is not really old enough to leave its mother and siblings, and it is best to wait until they are 12 weeks old. A kit, while requiring more time, training, and patience than a mature ferret, will reward you with added playfulness and adaptability; and you will have the joy of watching it grow.

There are some people who point out that the ferret's wild relatives are solitary animals. On the other hand, many ferret owners observe how delightfully ferrets will play together. The choice of how many ferrets you will have is up to you; however, if you wish to have more than one ferret it usually works best if you obtain them both when they are young and then introduce them gradually, as described above for introducing a cat or dog.

Without the necessary time, patience, or knowledge of a ferret's needs, unfortunately some people do get into trouble with discipline. As a result, ferrets are neglected or even abused, and then given away or resold. Most of the older ferrets that you encounter when searching for your new pet will not fall into this category.

Some ferrets do respond to fear, pain, or to certain noises or actions by biting. Your ferret isn't doing it to be mean or with the intent to harm you.

Jills (female ferrets) and hobs (male ferrets) each have their advantages, most of which have to do with the reproductive cycle. If you do not intend to breed ferrets, then it is kinder to spay or neuter your pet. An unaltered male can become aggressive to other males during breeding season, and you should be aware of this tendency if you intend to keep more than one ferret at a time.

Jills (female ferrets) and hobs (male ferrets) each have their advantages, most of which have to do with the reproductive cycle. Be extra careful to safeguard the contents of cabinets and drawers to prevent your ferret from opening them, and to keep medicines, soaps, cleaners, etc. safely out of your ferret's reach. Most cat toys are great for ferrets, but ferrets are harder on them than a cat would be. In any case, avoid fish and fish-flavored cat food, which can create a litterbox odor problem, and do not feed your ferret dog food as that will fill your ferret up without providing some of the necessary nutrients.

Like a cat, child, or dog , you will need to protect your ferret from suffocation hazards including plastic bags and drapery cords. Because of your ferret's small size, you will need to also consider items like the cardboard tubes that hold toilet paper, paper towels, or gift wrap. These may seem like inexpensive toys, but they can pose a danger to your pet.

Time
Ferrets make excellent pets for people who have the time for them, and who bond well with animals. Ferrets are naturally quiet, friendly, inquisitive, intelligent, and companionable.



Be wary of your ferret with houseplants. Many plants are dangerous, toxic, or deadly, and you should check every plant in your home for safety before allowing your ferret to run loose. To keep your ferret from chewing on your "safe" plants, you can try coating the leaves with Bitter Apple or a similar solution.

As you pick out your new ferret, you need to be sure that it is in the best of health. The key to judging a healthy ferret is in its behavior and general appearance.

Legalities
City, county, state, or military regulations can all dictate whether or not it is legal for you to own, breed, or sell a ferret where you live. California, for example, allows only neutered males to be kept; and in Carson City, Nevada, it is illegal to own a ferret if you have a small child in your household. Depending on where you live, you may permit or need a license for your ferret.

You will need to budget for renewals of vaccinations, routine veterinary care, and applicable licenses once you bring your new ferret home. Your ferret will, of course, need food, plus you will need to regularly buy litter, deodorizing cleaners, over-the-counter medicines including hairball remedies, and vitamin supplements, shampoos, collars and leads, etc

Ferrets are playful, active, loving and curious. They make wonderful pets, but before you fall in love with one at a pet store or rush off to get one after talking to a delighted ferret owner, there are a few things that you must consider.

A young ferret will not understand what hurts you and what doesn't hurt you until you communicate the boundaries. It will be up to you to establish those boundaries appropriately, without hurting your ferret or teaching it to fear or mistrust you.

A healthy ferret should be playful, alert, and curious. Its eyes should be bright, its ears should be erect, and its movements should be supple and smooth. There should be no discharge from its ears, nose, mouth, eyes, anus, or sexual openings, and its ears, mouth, and pads should be clean and pink.

If you have a dog or cat, you will want to introduce them to your ferret gradually, and vice versa. You will need two people, one to hold the cat or dog and one to hold the ferret. Make certain, however, that the ferret has an escape route available.

You can reward your pet for desirable behaviors or just add variety to your ferret's diet with vegetables, fruits, and treats. Safe, specially formulated ferret treats are available through companies like Ferret Fiesta, in flavors ranging from carob raisin to peanut butter.

The choice of how many ferrets you will have is up to you; however, if you wish to have more than one ferret it usually works best if you obtain them both when they are young and then introduce them gradually, as described above for introducing a cat or dog.