Want Ferret - Now What?

Question
I'm going to be a first time ferret owner when i get my feret do i keep him in the cage for a while or play with it and how much are they at petco? please reply

Answer
Hi Evel:

Congratulations on your decision to get a ferret!  I STRONGLY recommend that people considering bringing a ferret into their home read FERRETS FOR DUMMIES by Kim Schilling *completely - cover to cover* before bringing that ferret home.

Ferrets are not at all like dogs, cats, hamsters, gerbils or any other pet. They have very very specific needs - in the cage you select, in the food you select, even the temperature of the room you keep the ferret in.  It's just so much more than I could possibly put here in a few paragraphs!  Many people who *think* they want a ferret - once they realize that having a ferret is more like having a two-year-old child in the house than having a pet - decide against bringing a ferret home. Others, fortunately, bring that ferret home to a a well-organized plan of care, an adequate cage and high quality food (that will help keep your ferret well, thus attempt to keep vet bills down as much as possible.

The very very best thing you can do BEFORE you bring a ferret home is to visit a ferret shelter in your area - there you will gain more information and understanding of ferrets in just a few hours than you can get from reading for those same two hours. You can have some 'hands on' experience by the time you bring your ferret home and you will be confident that you are giving him/her the best care possible. In a ferret's life, you OFTEN get only ONE CHANCE to get it right.....many many ferrets die every day because their owners just didn't have enough information before they brought the ferret home.

There is also a great website if you are anxious and want to start reading right away:

http://www.ferretcentral.org   

(click on 'main index of ferret FAQ'...start reading at about #3 and you'll get into all the questions you need answers to pretty quickly)

The price of ferrets at Petco or any other pet shop varies greatly - especially in different parts of the country. To find out how much they are at your local Petco, just look them up in your local phone book and give them a call and ask how much their ferrets are and if they have any in stock (they are not always available).

You should also know that if there is a ferret shelter in your area, you may be able to get a ferret for less money there, especially if you can *show* the shelter operator that you will be a good, responsible ferret owner (by reading up on them and showing that you are knowledgeable when you visit).  A shelter also will have ferrets of all ages and will be familiar with each ferret's temperament. Often "kits" (baby ferrets) are really NOT the best choice for a new ferret owner. Baby ferrets usually won't sit still long enough to cuddle or show affection to their owner - they just want to go and go and go.  An older ferret is more likely to play a bit, then want to curl up on your lap and fall asleep.....so little things like this are really important to take into consideration BEFORE you run out to the store and just buy a ferret.

By the way - if the cost of a ferret is very vital in your decision to get one or not, I must be honest with you and tell you that the original purchase price of a ferret is usually the LEAST amount of money you will ever spend on it.  They require a very high quality, high protein diet, which is expensive, a cage large enough for a ferret is usually a couple hundred dollars, yearly vaccinations usually are at least a hundred dollars, and as ferrets age, they almost always suffer from some health problems that can be very very expensive.  I have spent more money on ferret vet bills than I have ever spent on cat or dog vet bills!  You can prevent *some* of those vet bills by thoroughly 'ferretproofing' the area in your home where the ferret will play (you will learn all about that in the ferret FAQ at Ferret Central (link above).  There are just so many things with ferrets that send you to the vet - and not just a 'normal' vet, but an 'exotics' vet, as they are often the only vets who will give care to ferrets and are always the best idea for your ferret - BUT, they are about twice as expensive as 'normal' vets.

So, I hope I haven't been too discouraging - to those who have the time, energy and money to care properly for a ferret, they are the most precious of all God's creatures. But they do require DAILY interraction - they are not meant to be cage animals - they NEED one-on-one time with their human for at LEAST 3-4 hours a day as a kit (less as they age, because they wear out faster, but they still need 'cuddle time' and daily handling and play).  Unlike some pets, ferrets can actually get very depressed if they don't get enough attention....so your dedication to daily care is just not optional.

Best of luck in your decision - I truly hope you will read a LOT and really be prepared BEFORE you bring a ferret home.  Yes, they are cute - but they are very very high maintenance, both in time and in money.    

Another option you may want to consider is volunteering at a ferret shelter - that way you get to handle them daily, love them, play with them....without the full financial responsibility or daily responsibility of their care. Some shelters will even let people "foster home" ferrets who have special needs, but again, you have to be really well informed and learn all you can.  If you want a list of shelters, on the Ferret Central main page, you will find a section called "RESOURCES" and there are many shelters listed there - hopefully one near you!  There is also a list of 'exotics' vets on the website.

I hope this has helped. Please keep me informed and let me know what you decide to do....pet store? shelter? kit or older ferret?  So many choices! :-)

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers