Age 16: Should I Get A Ferret?

Question
i am looking to get a ferret, but would like some info on them first. what are some positivers on ferrets? how much does it cost to take one to the vet? should i get one or two? i'm 16 and want to convince my parents to let me have one, or two, i have other animals and i'm very resopnible, how do i convince them? do they smell really bad? any thing else please add!!!

thanks gretchen

Answer
Hi Gretchen:

The strongest "positive" to ferrets is that they are sooo cute to watch and to play with!!  They are ornery and have to be supervised a lot, but that same trait is what makes them silly and cute (watch your wallet with a ferret around! LOL)

There are things you can do to minimize ferret smell - lots of cleaning.  I scoop the litterbox twice daily, change linens (hammocks and sleepsack, etc) twice a week, and wipe the cage down completely morning and evening. Another thing that causes smell often is dirty ears, so my kids get their ears cleaned and nails trimmed about every two weeks.  Ferrets in pet stores are neutered and descented, but ferrets do have other scent glands (which don't give off as much smell as the ones that are removed when they are kits).  

Ferrets need to be out of the cage for supervised playtime in a "ferretproofed" room for at least 3-4 hours a day and if you have only one ferret, the more time the better and you really can't miss a day. They get depressed if they don't have enough attention, so you never get a day off as a ferret parent.  Having a ferret is more than having a 2 year old child than a dog or cat - they are a lot of work and you can't just put them in the other room and ignore them - they will destroy something or eat something they aren't supposed to and get an intestinal blockage - not fun.  It's really important they have *supervised* playtime, so I would want to make sure you  are committed to giving that.  Also, if you are 16, are you planning to go to college in a couple years?  If so, don't *assume* the ferret will be allowed on campus - it probably won't be. So, unless you don't leave home to go to college, I definitely wouldn't recommend a kit (baby ferret), but you could consider an older, slowed down, well behaved ferret who probably only has a few more good years of life. Ferrets with a bit of age are soo precious! Kits never hold still for hugs, but older ferrets will - so IF you're going away to college, please keep your ferret's future in your plans because they get depressed, sad and often die when you try to give them a new home.  I would want to see you make a commitment to keep the ferret for his whole life (maybe 8 to 10 years).

The purchase price of a ferret is the least amount of money you will put out for them. They have to have ferret-specific food that is very expensive, treats, toys and ferrets often get illnesses and/or cancer in their older age (over 3 or 4 years of age) that can become VERY expensive.  I keep a MINIMUM of $1,000 in a checking account FOR EACH FERRET.  Last year one of my little ones had an intestinal blockage (not unusual) and it ended up costing $2,500 for the surgery to save his life.  You can prevent some things by ferretproofing their play area REALLY WELL.....but even then, they groom themselves and can get hairball blockages (which is what my little one had AND he gets hairball laxative regularly, but got a blockage anyway).

Ferrets average lifespan is 6-8, sometimes even 10 years and during that time almost every ferret I know runs up several thousand dollars of vet bills at one time or another. They are VERY time consuming - and the more time you spend with them, the sweeter they are.  Ignore them or don't spent enough time with them and they become very destructive, angry little guys, so playtime is NOT negotiable.  It must be daily and it must be you on the floor giving the ferret direct attention at least part of that time.  When people write that they are having behavioral problems with their ferrets, it almost always goes back to the owner not spending enough one-on-one time with the ferret.

Ferrets must have distemper and rabies shots yearly; I never get out of my vets office for less than $100 per ferret.

A book I would highly recommend you read is FERRETS FOR DUMMIES by Kim Schilling - read that and you will have a really good idea of what is required to have a ferret live happily, safely and healthy with you.  If you can give a ferret all he needs, then go for it - but I do suggest that you get TWO ferrets, as they are very social little critters and they LOVE having someone to play with, cuddle with while they sleep, etc.  Two ferrets are a riot to watch play, while one will be easily bored.

You might want to check for a ferret shelter in your area and go visit. You will get a better idea of what it takes to keep a ferret. If you let me know where you live, I can check for a shelter in your area that you could visit.

There is a LOT of preparation one needs to do BEFORE getting a ferret - one thing is learning everything you can about what their requirements are (cage, various food requirements, etc), how to ferretproof their play area, the diseases they are prone to and how to recognize them, etc.  Here is a website you can find a LOT of information on ferrets.  Click on FAQ's and just start reading:

http://www.ferretcentral.org

Hope that helps answer at least some of your questions. I always hate to discourage someone from getting a ferret, but also hate to have someone get into a commitment they weren't really expecting, so I like to be really honest with folks who are considering gettting a ferret.  You are truly one of the SMART ones - some folks get the ferret first, THEN ask questions and realize they are waaay over their heads in what is expected of them.

If I can help in any way - don't hesitate to write again. Until then, READ, READ, READ - that will give you the best idea of whether you should get a ferret or not.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers