When considering pet ferrets: the pros & cons, remember that pet ferrets are mischievous animals, and they need special care and attention. If you’re thinking of getting pet ferrets, there are some vital points to keep in mind – from training to diet and playtime. You will want to make sure your friend is happy and healthy.
While this article covers the main things you need to know about owning a ferret, here is a comprehensive guide that will tell you all you need to know about having a ferret as a pet, including how to extend its life span, and make it a well-trained pet. Read: Find Out About Ferrets
What are ferrets?
Ferrets are related to the weasel family. When kept as a pet they can live for up to 10 years or longer. They have different colors, with age and gender affecting their size. Ferrets can grow from between 12-16 inches long, depending on their breed, and if and when they were neutered. They also have sharp claws and teeth.
What to consider before adopting a ferret
Before adopting a ferret, you should take a moment to think deeply about questions such as: Do you or anyone in your household have allergies? Would a ferret be safe for young children to handle? Like all pets, ferrets need your time, regular attention and mental stimulation. You should also find out how much it will cost to buy a ferret and provide for its basic needs.
Nutrition and diet
Pet ferrets need a special type of diet. Food that is high in protein, fat, free of fiber and carbohydrates, and low in sodium is most suitable. Excellent sources for protein for your ferret would be fresh meat-based items such as chicken or turkey, as well as frozen or freeze-dried insects. Ferrets also must have unlimited access to fresh water at all times.
Children and ferrets
Ferrets would probably be better off with older children. They are active animals and need lots of space, exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy. Younger children may not interact appropriately with or give ferrets the required attention that a ferret needs! Ferrets bite when scared or angry; therefore, adult supervision is a must when children interact with them.
THE ADVANTAGES OF OWNING PET FERRETS
Ferrets are very playful
Ferrets are inquisitive by nature and are very playful. Ferrets will enjoy a game of hide and seek. You need to control play time as your ferret will try to run away and hide even in small places. This can be very amusing but it can also be irritating.
Ferrets enjoy company
Ferrets are social animals. In the wild they live in family groups. It is better if you can have at least two ferrets. They will give each other companionship and social interaction. If you are unable to give your ferrets a great deal of attention then they are not the pets for you!
Ferrets can be trained
Ferrets are quick learners and can be potty trained, and trained to accept being handled and to stop biting. They can also be taught to do tricks, although this does require a lot of patience.
THE DISADVANTAGES OF OWNING FERRETS
Ferrets can bite
If not handled carefully they can bite. So, they might not be a good fit for families with small children.
Ferrets cannot be left unsupervised with other animals
Ferrets are very territorial; and have been known to chase or bite another pet if encountered without being supervised.
Ferrets are escape artists
Ferrets can squeeze their bodies through small gaps. You will have to block exits. Controlled playtime is a must! There is a need to focus on training them and teaching them tricks to keep them mentally stimulated. They will also have to learn when playtime is over, to prevent you running round your house trying to find them.
The unique ferret smell
Ferrets have a unique odor and this can be particularly strong if you do not clean their cage. The ferrets smell stays everywhere in the home. This can be remedied by neutering your ferrets.
Owning ferrets could become expensive
Ferrets need company so there should be more than one ferret and this will mean they will need a large cage. Because they are energetic, they will need toys and ramps to play with. Their feed is a bit more expensive that most pets. As a ferret is viewed as an exotic pet, finding a vet that specializes with these animals might be a challenge if your pet gets sick.
In conclusion
As we have discussed there are some considerations you should take into account when adopting ferrets. There are many positives for owning a ferret such as playfulness, being able to be trained and their loving natures. However, you need to give careful consideration to the points above before introducing ferrets into your family!
Watch this video by Haley on The Modern Ferret channel on YouTube to get an idea of just how endearing ferrets can be as pets:
Video Transcript – Summary of Main Points
The first plus I would like to mention is how cute and fun ferrets are. It’s true most furry pets are cute. I too have had rats, dogs and cats, but I want to defend my cause. These animals may be objectively cuter than anyone else on the planet. Look straight at the chubby face.
Ferrets are also very smart. Their brains are particularly gifted in problem-solving skills. In other words, the ferret will treat the house every day like a giant puzzle or a Choose Your Own Adventure Palace game. A ferret can be entertained for hours on end if you give them enough objects to keep them searching, pulling, grasping and jumping.
If you’re like me, you’ll be just as happy to sit back and watch. Don’t be surprised if they try to get you involved. Now, with a combination of cute animal and super intelligence, laughter will not stop at the desperate determination of animals who can literally do nothing. This is why many people consider ferrets to be the clowns of the animal world.
Sometimes they welcome a good cuddle session. It is magical and in my opinion has some kind of healing properties.
Diverse Personalities
Next, I’d like to talk about how diverse ferrets’ personalities can be. Like I said, I’ve had other furry animals before, but none of them seem to have the same distinctive characteristics as my ferret. For example, my first ferret, Moose, was very affectionate, very friendly, and trusted almost everyone. At the same time he became very aggressive towards ferrets he did not know.
Newt, on the other hand, was a wild child. His mission in life was to escape the house or room he was in. Even if that means jumping off a balcony. I didn’t even feel the need to check most of the apartment until I met Newt. Newt loved stealing food, especially tortilla chips. He also kept a very tight schedule and went to bed in his cage at the same time every night.
Albert’s personality is more of a yellow lab and he’s always in the mood to have a good time and always seems to find something to laugh about. He doesn’t like being cuddled so much, but he loves to play.
Albert’s favorite toys are all toys ever invented. He literally has no freedom of action. Because of their different personalities, it’s fun to find unique ways to make each ferret happy.
Ferrets and Emotional Health
Ferrets can be great mental health boosters. I spoke to one person who suffers from PTSD and he said that his ferret can be there for him when he wakes up frequently in the middle of the night. While this man tried to calm down, their ferret could always play silly and confused for a few minutes. They found these interactions relaxing and distracting, so it was easier for them to fall back to sleep later.
I was talking to another person who has a disabled son and she also mentioned how comforting his ferret is. Ferrets are very sociable animals and will love you as an impatient family if you spend enough time with them.
In fact, when I interviewed ferret owners, they said it was a connection. It’s an amazingly deep connection you can form with these strange and fun creatures, and you won’t truly understand it until you get a ferret for yourself.
Read about another unusual pet some people really enjoy:
The Truth About Pet Rats: The Pros & Cons
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