Things You Should Know Before Owning a Ferret
You want a ferret but did you know…
Too many people rush into pet ownership and they act on a whim. This is not fair to any pet including the ferret. Ferrets are pets that really need to be understood before making an ownership decision. First of all, ferrets are, by nature, very curious and extremely playful pets. This means that they require a lot of attention and they need it regularly. That needs to be considered before you ever bring a ferret home.
Ferret owners must be able and willing to devote time daily to their pet. Ferrets need to be out of their cages and have supervised play rituals that last for a few hours each and every day. Another important thing to consider is that ferrets are not legally permitted in all cities or in all types of dwellings. It would be a sad thing to bring a ferret home only to find out later that he can not stay with you. Ferrets can cost a few dollars to own. Does that sound like something you can afford? Their food is not exactly cheap, plus they need regular vet care, vaccinations, supplies, and often medication too.
Do you own any other pets? This is important since ferrets do not get along with too many other domestic pets, especially birds and would love to make them their next meal so this is something to consider.
Ferrets are animals that have the ability to be trained and they can even be taught to have some manners. They especially need to be taught how to go to the bathroom in a litter box. Younger ferrets are, of course, easier to train. The best age to bring your ferret home is around 8 weeks old but no older than 16 weeks of age. This gives you the best chance at developing that loving bond with your ferret and it is also the best time to try and train them.
You should know in advance that ferrets tend to have an odor, one that is quite musky. This is a natural smell for all ferrets so they must have proper hygiene and their bedding and cage must be cleaned regularly to minimize these natural odors. Much of this odor is eliminated when the ferret is spayed or neutered but it is still there.
Remember that there can be no compromise on what your ferret eats. It must be a high quality ferret food that is low in carbs but high in protein and one that has meat as the primary ingredient. Their food should not be changed unless it has to be and can not be tailored to fit budgetary needs.
Ferrets are very curious pets and because they are small animals they can often find themselves accessible to tiny areas of your house that you may have never considered. While it might seem cute at some of the places they end up these spots can be very dangerous for your ferrets and he should not have access to them for this reason.
Once you are aware of these particulars and still feel that a ferret is a pet that you want then you are truly in for a joyous time. These furry little guys are loving and hilarious to just sit back and watch. It is likely that with some serious thought and little preparation that you will ever regret the choice of ferret ownership.