SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT FERRETS

 Ferrets are fun and interactive animals. Ferrets can be a great pet to own, but there are things to consider before adopting a ferret. Ferrets require a big time commitment. You will need to play with your ferret daily and spend a great deal of time ferret proofing your home. Your household should also be compatible with a ferret. Ferrets may not get along with young children and smaller pets. Also, consider cost. Ferrets can be pricey to adopt and purchase, and also come with a variety of medical requirements. The following is a checklist to decide if you are ready to make a ferret part of your family.

1)  Think about the time commitment of ferret-proofing your home: Before you get a ferret, you will need to spend a great deal of time setting up. You will have to run many errands gathering supplies, and then take an afternoon to assemble them in your home. In the event you move, you will have to repeat the process. Be honest with yourself about whether you have time for ferret proofing.

• You will have to fill in any holes or gaps in furniture or walls, ferrets love to crawl and hide in such areas.
• Cleaning and upkeep of your home will be more timely when you have a ferret. Ferrets can chew almost anything, and can get hurt if they chew or swallow the wrong object. Therefore, you will have to keep your home very clean if you're housing a ferret.

2)  Ensure you have enough time to play with a ferret: Ferrets are social animals. They will not be happy if they don't have time to play with a human companion. A ferret is, by no means, a hands off pet, so make sure you can dedicate adequate time to playing with your ferret.

• Ferrets do sleep a lot. They tend to be sleeping for about 18 hours a day. However, during times when they are awake, they are very active and need a lot of stimulation. Four hours daily is the minimum time amount a ferret should be able to run and play out of their cage or dedicated area.
• Do not leave a ferret in a shelter or cage for the entire day. You will need to spend several hours a day playing with your ferret to keep it healthy and happy.

3) Remember that ferrets require training: Litter training is important for a ferret, as you don't want a ferret having accidents around the home. Also, ferrets must be taught proper behavior. You will need to dedicate time to training your ferret not to bite and scratch.

• Ferrets are intelligent and highly trainable. However, like any animal, training takes time and persistence. You will have to train your ferret over the course of several weeks, and always punish negative behaviors like biting. This can be time consuming, so you should not adopt a ferret if you don't feel you have time to train it.

4)  Keep cleaning time in mind: Ferrets have a litter box that must be changed daily, like a cat's litter box. You will also need to periodically clean their cage. While these are small chores that do not usually take long, keep them in mind when thinking about time. Every core needed to keep a ferret adds up, and you should not adopt a pet unless you can commit to all aspects of its care. This can include ear cleaning, nail trimming, teeth brushing and bi-annual bathing.

5)  Remember a ferret's lifespan: This is especially important if you're purchasing a younger ferret. Ferrets don't live as long as some pets, like smaller dogs and cats, but their lifespan is not brief. Ferrets live between 6 to 10 years. You do not want to adopt a ferret if you will potentially have to give it up in a few years.

• Think about the stability of your living situation. If you're going to be moving from year to year, it can be difficult to find places that allow ferrets. Unlike dogs and cats, there may be specific rules against ferrets or similar animals in certain places due to their odor.
• Consider other factors. Are you going to start a new career, finish a school program, travel, or make any other big changes? If so, it may be difficult to keep your ferret in the long term.
• Think of young children or other animals in your household, whether a ferret is legal in your state and/or if you can tolerate the odor or have allergies.

6)  Costs of care: Between the cage, accessories, food, treats, toys, litter, and other items, your ferret could cost a large amount of money upfront. Make a list of all the things you will need to buy and add up the total cost. This will give you a sense of whether you can truly afford a ferret in the present moment.

• You should also have some extra money in case of unexpected circumstances. A ferret could, for example, have a blockage and need emergency veterinary care.