Are you Really Prepared ?
First off.. I am by no means trying to discourage anyone from ferret ownership, but to help those considering ferret ownership make an educated decision. I feel ferrets are the greatest pets in the world, I foster up to 8 Myself.. however they are not for everyone!
There are far too many ferrets in ferret shelters across Canada & the United States and beyond.
I cannot stress enough.. that if you do feel you are ready to be owned by a ferret.. you should always consider adopting a ferret from a shelter rather than purchasing one from a pet store.
For those considering a Ferret...
You should ask yourself the following questions:
| Are ferrets legal in your city, state or county ?
| Some states may not have specific laws against ferret ownership, however the counties within the state may. Please refer to the section "Do your Laws allow them".
| Will you be able to afford to pay for high quality food, supplies and possibly up to $1000.00 or more for medical bills ?
| Ferrets are fairly expensive themselves, around $100.00 or more from a pet store, and they require proper food, cages, accessories & medical care. Ferrets can suffer from a variety of health conditions (cancer, ECE, adrenal disease, respiratory infections, injuries, gastrointestinal blockages, etc. Please refer to the section "Health & Fist-Aid".
| Are you a patient person ?
| If you are someone with a short fuse and little patience, ferret ownership is probably not for you. Patience is an important virtue when owning a pet.. especially ferrets. Owning a ferret can be like having a two year old child. Ferrets are very intelligent, persistent, & curious animals who will try to get into everything, especially things they are not supposed to.
| Do you have at least 3 - 4 hours per day free for supervised time "ferret play time," out of the cage & additional time for going for walks, grooming and cage cleanings ?
| If a ferret is left alone for long periods of time, or is never let out of the cage (I find this to be abusive) it will become depressed, stressed or ill. If you are someone who is out of the home a lot or one who travels, a ferret may not be the right pet for you. Ferrets are very social animals and need at least three hours of "out of cage" play time each day.
| Will you be able to provide constant supervision for your ferret as well as if you have young children ? Will you be able to help with the care of the ferret ?
| Children, especially very young ones, have difficulty understanding how to properly treat animals. Small children have a tendency to pull, grab, squeeze and drop small animals without realizing they can hurt them. This can lead to injuries to the ferret, or the ferret may possibly nip the child out of fear.
| Will it bother you or would you want want to get rid of the ferret if he/she gets into everything, damages a carpet by scratching, or goes to the bathroom on the floor ? (if the answer is YES, DO NOT get a ferret)
| Ferrets like to hide things. If you leave items around such as the tv remote, shoes, socks, keys, kitchen items, etc where ferrets can reach them, the items will usually end up in their favorite hiding place. Be prepared for litter box accidents, drinks getting knocked over, potted plants being dug into and toys and other objects showing up under the couch or bed.
| Are you willing to make changes to your home to protect your ferret and your belongings ?
| Ferret proofing your home is a must.. as there are many dangers that can be found within the home. Please refer to the Section "Vital Essentials".
| Do you have other pets at home that your ferret may not get along with ?
| Ferrets can get along with some other domesticated pets, mainly cats and some breeds of dogs. It usually works best when they have been raised together. Please use extreme caution & constant supervision when introducing a ferret to another pet, and NEVER leave your ferret alone with birds, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats, rabbits, chinchillas or reptiles. Ferrets will usually consider them food.
The decision to adopt or purchase a ferret (or any other pet for that matter) should be a careful one. Ferrets do bond with their owners & become stressed when separated from them.
| You should consider adopting a ferret from a ferret shelter. Older ferrets are a good choice for first time ferret owners, as they are less hyperactive and may already be trained. Baby ferrets (kits) require a lot of training, patience and time from their owners.
So, if you are considering a ferret as an addition to your family, it's best to think of it as a 6 to 10 year commitment. Don't act impulsively. Ferrets do require alot of time & commitment on the part of their owners to ensure optimum health and safety.
