Is a Pet Ferret a Good Pet for You?

A lot of people that are new to the concept of having a pet ferret, seem to question whether it’s a good pet.  We could spend all day covering the pros and cons, but in the end I believe the more accurate and relevant question is whether it’d be a good pet for you.

When you think of a pet ferret, don’t heap it in the mental bundle you would most caged animals.  Ferrets are smart, lovable, and very active.  If you let them spend a good portion of their waking time out of their cage, and you should, they’ll love you for it.

Surprisingly, caring for a pet ferret is somewhat of a cross between caring for a dog and caring for a cat.  They have most of the play habits, interests, and habits that cats do, but they also appreciate being walked from time to time.  They are very lively creatures, and do need quite a bit of attention, so if you don’t have at least 30 minutes each day to dedicate to your ferret, don’t get one.

Ferrets don’t mix well with certain other animals or babies.  If you have an infant it is not a good time for you to get a ferret.  If you have other animals, you may want to check how they do with ferrets.

If you’re going to get a ferret, you should also be prepared to set aside a few hundred dollars each year for shots, food, and supplies.  If you aren’t, you should be looking for a different pet.

You also need to have patience as many times you will be forced to search the house for various items your ferret decided to claim as his own and carry off.  You can lower the frequency of this with proper set up, more interesting toys, learning his secret spots, or training, but be aware that it will happen.

A pet ferret is both an adventure and a responsibility.  Be prepared for both sides of the coin.  But in the eyes of millions of pet ferret owners, it is also very rewarding and heart warming.