10 Great Reasons to Get a Ferret

10 Positive Things About Ferrets

1. They have a high sense of curiosity and playfulness which is very entertaining to watch.

• Give a ferret a plastic supermarket bag or a large tube or box, and it will have hours of fun.
• They also like to explore new items in their territory and notice immediately if something has changed.
• Ferrets love water, snow, leaves, or sand to play in. Anything they can dig into or sprinkle is fun.
• They also love squeaky toys or other small animal toys purchased at local pet stores.

2. They get along with dogs and cats with proper care and introduction.

• Ferrets can get along well with other household pets if given patience. Start with a small introduction with limited time together. New introductions should be monitored at all times.
• If your larger pet exhibits mischievous behavior instead of interest and playfulness, you need to rescue and defend your ferret. Be careful not to reward rough play.
• Supervision can go a long way in teaching different animals to be kind to each other.

3. They are very loving animals if given the attention and care they need.

• Ferrets need about 3-4 hours outside of their cage each day to play. If they don’t get enough love and attention, they won’t be happy. They are not the kind of animals you can leave in a cage all day and night. They have a curious heart and need room to play and explore.
• They are prone to accidental deaths, so a safe environment is necessary. Keep them away from power lines, anything they might fall into, houseplants (because they like to dig), and pools. Think of baby-proofing a room as you would for a two-year-old.
• Keep their nails trimmed so they don’t get caught on fabrics or carpets. If a ferret’s nails get caught in fabric or carpet, they are likely to panic and pull their nails too far down, which can cause bleeding.

4. They look so cute in their clothes.

There are cute outfits you can make or buy that will show off your ferret when you have friends or company over and want to look their best.

5. They are quiet and make walking noises, playful squeals or chirps.

• Ferrets don’t make much noise. They make happy squeals and chirps to their friends during playtime. No barking at the door and no howling. They are quiet pets, and your neighbors won’t know you have one.
• They might try to get into your shoes to play and sit inside them. They are known to bite toes, but it is very easy to train them not to. Every animal goes through a teething stage; this is usually not a problem.
• Positive reinforcement works best. Give them lots of attention if they do well. Focus on rewarding instead of punishing. They can be taught to use the litter box outside of the cage with repetition, treats, and patience.

6. They are relatively cheap compared to a large dog. Owning a ferret is like owning a small kitten.

• Ferrets are generally cheaper than dogs or cats, and they don’t eat a lot. They probably eat as much as a small kitten. They use a water bottle, just like a hamster or rabbit.
• Wood chips should not be used as bedding because of the oils in them and ferrets allergies. Puppy pads work well and can be purchased online. The best ones available are called Pee Pee Pads by Pet Select, and they are sewn. They are highly absorbent and can be easily rolled up and sealed in a plastic bag, eliminating odor. Baby wipes also work to clean the plastic under the pad while changing. Ferrets like a clean cage, and pads should be changed every 2-3 days for one ferret and daily if you have more than one.
• Pet stores carry blankets, but they can be messy. So whether you have hammocks for your cage or a soft sweater for your ferret to tunnel and sleep in, pads work well for the bottom of the cage and are easier for cleaning.

7. They interact well with people and can be taught tricks.

• Ferrets are smart and can learn tricks. They can learn to roll, hold hands, stand up, and other fun tricks using rewards. They have special ferret treats at pet stores that work well. Bandits Brand ferret treats are good. They also like the taste of creamy peanut butter in a spoon or banana baby food.

8. If you buy them from a pet store, their scent glands may be removed.

• Those bought in US pet stores are usually Marshall ferrets, and often have their scent glands removed during a sometimes controversial procedure called shedding. Because of this, they smell the same as other pets in the house.
• They can be bathed once a week or two with ferret shampoo. Be careful not to get soap/water in their ears or eyes.

9. They are great pets for children when children spend enough time at home playing with them (3-4 hours daily).

• Twelve is strong enough in most cases to handle well and take care of an exotic pet with supervision.
• In their teenage years, they will learn the responsibility of feeding and cleaning up after a pet.
• It’s hard to have an indoor pet like a ferret if the kids are outside most of the time. Ferrets don’t have a homing mechanism like a dog or cat and will lose it because they always have something new.
• They should be trained immediately upon ownership to hear the toy’s alarming sound in the event of a fire or emergency. If they accidentally go outside, they may hear and return to the sound.

10. Ferrets hide their favorite things and collectors.

• Ferrets love to collect their favorite things. Everyone has their own unique personality and loves to collect different things, such as shoes, foam slippers, rubber objects, toys, shiny keys, money, and jewelry.
• They usually put it in a stash under the bed or closet or in a closet.

Ferret Diet

• High-protein ferret food
• Ferrivite vitamins
• Plenty of fresh water
• Ferret treats flavored with protein, banana, or peanut butter

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This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not intended to replace diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals showing signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2013 Susan Bell / BellStudios242

Comments

Remi to you on November 29, 2019:

what if i don’t have enough money to get two ferrets then i just forget about ferrets and not get one.

Nope. on December 13, 2018:

The size of a kitten, it needs the attention of a puppy and destroys everything it sees. I love it, but it’s a HUGE responsibility.

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