What should my first step be in adopting a ferret?

Question

And what do I do after that?

Answer 1

http://www.saferrets.org/

I used to foster ferrets for this organization, let me tell you ferrets are the most complicated pets you will ever have. They have a history of illnesses and the Vet bills are not cheap. You also have to find a Vet that has experience and specified training in ferret diseases and treatment. They are wonderful animals don’t get me wrong, but they are not like cats, you cant ignore them, you cant keep them locked in a cage all the time and you have to socialize with them a minimum two hours a day. It’s like having a gang of 2-3 year old children that can fit under furniture, cabinets, behind the stove ect ect. Think long and hard about it. I researched for 3 years before I got one and I learned something new everyday. I have had up to 6 at one time and guess what, my apartment did not smell. But the only way I was able to keep the smell in check was to scoop the litter (clay biased no clumping!) 3x a day, disinfect ALL the litter boxes once a week, and wash ALL the bedding inside and outside their cages every two weeks, not to mention giving the little carpet sharks a bath once a month themselves.

They like to eat things, things they shouldn’t, their intestines are the width of a #2 pencil lead. Ferret+cardboard=intestinal blockage. A blockage left untreated for 24 hours=death. What happens if you have to go out of town for the weekend, will the person that watches them know what to look for? Are you really ready?

Answer 2

First you should have done some research about ferrets. Second find a vet that works on exotic pets. Third have your house ferret-proofed. If it's head will fit, it's body will follow. I suggest buying a ferret from a breeder, not the pet store. You will have to make sure it's descented and fixed unless you are going to bred it. Females will die if they go into heat and are not bred. Males get extremely aggressive if not fixed. If you still decide after all your research to get one. And be prepared for fun and frustration.

Answer 3

I own 2 ferrets and they are funny. Most people will tell you they are nasty , but that is not the case. They are just like kittens. They even use a litter box. The first thing I would do is get a book about ferrets. If you decide to purchase one. get it at a pet store. They come already spaded or neutured and descunked. They also give them their first shots. The best pets to have. They are not hard to have either, just like kittens except they will steal from you. Good Luck. They do need alot of playtime though.

Answer 4

As a owner and i do rescue their is really alot you need to do before even looking at getting a ferre first time ferrets are not an animal can live in a cage now they can spend a lot of time in a cage but need time out side a cage so you need to make sure the area you let them play in is safe...meaning they can get through some small spaces so make sure their is no wholes nothing they can get in to that is dangerouse ok now you have that a cage you need to get a cage large enouph for your ferret and make it confortable for that ferret.

The know they do get sick so find a good vet if you can't afford a vet i would not get a ferret they are one animal that can catch and give you a cold or even flue they get cancer and their are some that can be taken care of some that can not so know falling in love comes with lost.

Food ferrets need a high qulity food because they burn it up so fast this will also make cleaning not bad just like if you buy a cheap food for a dog you get more waste so the better the food the i guise sorry to say the better their waste.

ok adopting an older ferret mean more and less problems more in health less that they sleep more I would recomend if adopting a ferret not buying one then get one at least a year old give you more time to fall in love.

for the stupit response they smell what animall dosn't if you get a ferret that is fixed the smell is just as easy to take care of as a dog all you half to do is keep their beding clean and give them a bath. Mine love to play in the tub and they make great ferret shampoos and conditions after bath sprays ever dry shampoo for the times you can not bath them.

I at this time have 2 girsl .. xena who is about 6 and she dose sleep more than my younger gizmo who is 2 and can drive you crazy now they do have a game were they like to nip you mine don't do it hard it just a game but it is somthing if you get a ferret will be in charge of making sure they don't bite you hard because if you don't they may tend to do it if you get a baby this will be one area you will half to work on because they love to play and rough housing is one and some time they get carried a way just like a puppy just teach them what is right and what is wrong.

Now for the fun part of ferret they have a small body but a HUGE .......HUGE. spirt and they can love you and love to be with you ... sometime i look at my girls and wonder how such a small ferret can have such a big soul.

I have had up to 10 ferrets at one time i work with my vet and others in rescue i can give you so much info but it may take up to much time so if you have some PLEASE E-MAIL ME. But don't rush in to it take your time and if you do get one make sure you give him/her the time it needs and enjoy the love they give.

Answer 5

Research what you need to do to keep it healthy and feed it.
Can you afford it?
Do you have a good vet near by?
Do you have enough room to keep a ferret?
Go to a good pet store and look for a lively active ferret with bright eyes, a clear nose, clean teeth, and no bumps or anything else of that matter on its body. Get a nice big cage and other necessities and toys for it to play with (those balls that they can run around in are very cute!)
Take it home and I hope you two have a fun life together!

Answer 6

I would check around and see if you can do a home visit with someone who already has a ferret. They do sleep alot but when they are awake, they need LOTS of play time and attention. Do you have this kind of time? They can be smelly, but we have put drops in the water which helps and monthly baths and clean cages help too. The food can be pricey. I would check with other ferret owners to get their opinion.

Answer 7

Ferretts can be great pets. Yes, they have musk glands, but most pet shops also carry special shampoo for that, and it's just something they tend to do when nervous or excited. Once they get used to you and their surroundings it's not so bad. Females aren't as bad as males. (and no, they don't "spray".)

Ones that have been handled since birth are more people oriented and less likely to bite.

Sables are 2-3 tones of brown, silver- mitt siamese are a mix between albino and sable. They look like a sable, but have silver feet and a liitle on their chest or face.

Get a book on them, and read it before buying. Also, go to a reputable pet shop and spend some time with a couple of them in a play room.

They are like any other pet, don't buy on impulse, get the facts first! They can go anywhere their head will fit, that means inside walls, etc. And should not be left out unattended. They are easily litter-box trained also.
I hope that helps:)

Answer 8

I have owned ferrets, and they will never be 100% litter box trained, and the feces have the foulest smell. They also hid in my sofa and under my oven, which made cooking difficult. I now own two bunnies, they are clean, and hop around my house all day long, and ALWAYS use their litterbox. Bunnies must be spayed and neutered, though, to prevent destructive chewing. I would talk with a rescue shelter for both ferrets and bunnies before you make up your mind.

Answer 9

Get everything u need 2 hav a ferret b4 buying it.

Answer 10

you should check to see that you have everything you need, and if you don't, check in a local pet store to see if they have ferret starter kits. it's possible, i know! then get a ferret, and make sure it's comfy in it's new home. good luck!