So, You're Getting a Ferret!

There are some basic ferret facts that you should know about as you start out.  These little guys are great, but a lot of them end up in ferret rescue shelters because their owners were unprepared.  Three of the most common issues that come up for new owners are biting, stinking, and using the floor as a "toilet".  None of these things is a major problem if you know what to do, but they certainly shouldn't be ignored.  As we continue to build this site, we'll be addressing a variety of issues in our posts.  If you are in a hurry and want instant access to all of the ferret information you might need though, I'd recommend checking here for quick answers to ferret problems.

There are also some essential items you will need if you are considering owning a pet ferret.  Possibly the most important of these is the place your new pet will call home.   You will need a ferret cage.  Don't even dream of buying your pet until you have a proper ferret cage.  This is a big deal, and you just cannot skip it.   Without a good cage, the issue of where to safely keep your new friend can turn into a major issue in a hurry.  You should already understand that you will need to spend a little bit of money if you are keeping ferrets as pets.  A ferret cage is something you will need to keep your ferret safe and healthy.  You may or may not want to buy your pet a bunch of toys, clothes, and other accessories, but don't skimp on the cage.  Really.  Now with that said, you shouldn't panic.  Sometimes local pet shops drastically mark up ferret cages and supplies.  I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to spend $300 or more on a "starter kit", but you don't have to spend that much.

Some Ferret Basics

As far as pets go, it is important to remember that your ferret is not the same as a cat or a dog.  I've heard some ferret owners try to give descriptions of ferrets relative to both of these common pets, but ferrets are definitely their own distinct animal.  They have been domesticated for over a thousand years, but they should not be taken on with the expectation of them acting like either a dog or a cat. For example, you should never allow your ferret to get outside on its own.  Most people avoid doing this with dogs and cats as well, but they usually end up returning safely when they do get out.  An escaped ferret however, is in a much more precarious situation.  She is simply not equipped to handle the wilds of your neighborhood, and could end up in a very bad way if she escapes.  This is why ferret proofing your house and providing a safe, secure living area (such as a ferret cage) is so important for your ferret's safety.

The ferret cage you choose should be big enough to let your pet stretch its legs a bit! This popular model is available on Amazon (click for details)

One of the most important items when it comes to basic ferret pet supplies is the ferret cage.  As you would probably expect, you can find a wide range of styles available for your ferret to call home.  You will find that you can spend quite a bit of money on a cage if you really want to do that.  That probably is not necessary for most people, but you probably should not base your search on finding cheap ferret cages.  As with so many things, you usually get exactly what you pay for, and focusing on getting the cheapest of anything usually just buys you a large lot of regret.  You can find a quality cage at a fair price without too much trouble online.  Locally, I can't make any promises. I personally have had a tough time finding them for sale anywhere near my home.  The one I did find at a local store was available for a lot less when I checked online.

How Big of a Cage Do I Need?

Ferrets can sleep a lot.  When they are awake however, they crave exercise and stimulation.  Think of how you feel when you have been cooped up all day inside of your house (or work cubicle) for one reason or another.  Your ferret needs something to keep its mind sharp and some room to move.  Ideally you will be letting your ferret out to play with you at least once a day, but you can't walk around holding it during every waking moment.  Your ferret's cage should be at least 12 cubic feet for one ferret.  That works out to about 3'x2'x2' for non math fans.  Bigger is actually better, but your budget and the amount of space available in your home could be limiting factors.  Ferrets usually enjoy having playmates, so a lot of people end up buying more than one of them.  If you do, please remember that you will have to get a bigger cage.  Even animals need their own space, and cramming two ferrets into a small cage is not going to make for happy pets.  Here are some good starter cages that I found selling on Amazon. They generally have better prices than my local pet supply stores.

Watch Out for Escape Artists!

When you decide on a cage for your ferret or ferrets be sure that it is secure, so that your pet does not escape and get itself into trouble, or worse.  Check to be sure that your ferret cage has openings that are small enough to prevent escape.  Get something that is built to handle any potential escape artists.  You should be able to securely fasten the door shut.  Also be sure that there are no openings that could trap or injure your pet ferret.  If you end up buying a used ferret cage, you should also give it a very thorough cleaning.  You will never know with absolute certainty what was kept in there before you and your ferret came along.  Better safe than sorry in this case.  Although I'm personally a big fan of saving money by buying used items, I draw the line at pet supplies.  I figure that the money I'd pay the vet to deal with a sick ferret would easily wipe out any savings from buying a used cage.  That's just me though.

As I'm writing this, I'm realizing that several pages could probably be devoted just to buying ferret cages.  There are many styles that include variations of a very basic ferret cage up through large, multi level outfits built to house multiple ferrets.  You will have to decide what is appropriate for your specific situation.  Before I leave the topic of ferret cages though, I want to mention that you should provide some kind of safe haven in your ferret's cage where he can go to just chill out or sleep.  They like to have some type of cover where they can escape from being in the wide open spaces.  This might be bedding or an actual ferret safe structure that gets put in the ferret cage.  You should also make sure that there is some kind of bottom to your cage other than plain wire.  It is a comfort thing.  Would you want to walk around and sleep on that wire grating every day?  I wouldn't.  One more thing to remember is that your ferret will use what you put in its cage as bedding, so it will eventually get stinky and/or dirty.  This bedding will need to come out for cleaning from time to time.  Get a cage that can be cleaned easily.  You will be glad that you did.  If you are going to take a ferret as a pet, you owe it to her to provide decent living conditions.  A quality cage is a good place to start.  There are many cages to choose from out there.  I've compiled a short list of some of the most popular models.  Click Here to see them on Amazon.

Want more Ferret Info?  Get the ferret facts!

Thinking about getting a ferret as a pet?  You aren't the first one!  The use of domesticated ferrets as pets goes back a long time. There are drawings of animals in Egyptian crypts which may be of ferrets. As remains of these animals have not been found by archaeologists,  no one can be absolutely sure that these were fuzzies though.   These drawings could be of a similar African mustelid, such as a mongoose. Mongooses have been used in India for many years for snake and rodent control – Rudyard Kipling wrote a wonderful story, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi about an Indian mongoose (I loved that book as a kid!).  However there are definite records by the Romans from about 4 BCE referring to the use of ferrets. Indeed, the name “ferret“ derives room a Latin word meaning “little thief” – many ferret owners will have experienced this habit for themselves, with their pets hiding small objects. The initial domestication of ferrets would have preceded this by many years. In fact, ferrets have been domesticated for so long that they can no longer survive in the wild, unlike cats. Their survival instincts have been bred out of them.  That is one of the reasons why it is so important to have a quality ferret cage.

Ferrets as Hunters

Fearless Hunters!

Ferrets were initially used for hunting or as a means of deterring rodents, although, as with all working animals with personality, there would always have been a bond of affection between animal and owner which would put them in the class of pets as well. As rodent catchers they were more effective than cats, due partly to the deterrent effect of their strong natural odor.  Cats gradually took over this role due to the fact that they didn't smell as bad as a ferret (descenting has made this less of a problem today). However, ferrets were preferred to cats for use on sailing ships, due to their ability to get into much smaller spaces.

As hunters, ferrets were unrivalled at their ability to flush rabbits from their burrows and they were widely used for this. In fact, at one time, possession of a ferret by a commoner was enough to sustain an accusation of poaching; only wealthy people who used them legitimately for hunting were allowed to own them. A sport called “ferret-legging" is thought to have arisen from the poachers’ habit of hiding their ferrets in the legs of their pants – this sport was revived and is practised in the USA, although it is not common. During the Middle Ages in Europe, ferrets were very popular for hunting, and there are many paintings attesting to their popularity as pets with their owners as well. Albino ferrets were preferred by hunters as they were easier to track.

Ferret Popularity

The big factor which reduced the popularity of ferrets as pets was their strong musky odour. Since the introduction of descenting in the same way as skunks by Dr Wendy Winstead in the USA, their popularity as pets has grown in leaps and bounds. There are many movies featuring ferrets and some actors have appeared with their pets as well.  Check out movies like Beastmaster, Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire, or Lord of the Rings, for a start.  Today ferrets are most often kept as pets, although some are still used for hunting, and in the USA they are sometimes used to pull cables through narrow conduits.

Ferrets have always appealed to humans much more than creatures such as rodent,s and with advances in their domestication, the popularity of ferrets as pets is growing. A ferret makes the perfect pet for someone living in an apartment or condominium as they require relatively little space and do not disturb the neighbours with their noise.   Of course, you should be sure to check with your landlord if you rent, and you must be committed to spending some time with your ferret every day.  In general though, ferrets are really a very good choice as pets for many people today.

If you are here, it's pretty likely that you either have a ferret already, or you are thinking about getting one as a pet.  It should be pretty clear by now that I think they make great pets for the right person.  However, in the interest of both potential owners and the ferret itself, it is only fair to give equal time to something that can be a pain in the neck.  I'm talking about keeping things clean for your ferret friend.

These little guys are fun, but they can make a mess of their home.  One of the reasons that you'll want to get a metal cage is that they are less likely to become giant breeding grounds for bacteria and such than a homemade wooden cage (which a ferret could also potentially chew through).  Even with a metal cage though, there is some basic maintenance that you will need to handle.  These chores are necessary for a couple of reasons.  First off, you'll want to keep your pet healthy.  Letting him wallow in an environment filled with traces of his own poop isn't conducive to that.  Second, you probably don't want your home to smell like the bottom of a litter box.  I don't think this one needs much explanation.

Even when ferrets are litter trained, they move about their cage so much that it is almost inevitable that they will spread around some of their droppings.  They also are not always the neatest animals when it comes to dining or maintaining their toy collections.  Even one ferret, by itself, can make quite a mess of its room.  If you have more than one, well, use your imagination.  It is not a pleasant task, but you should give the cage a thorough cleaning from top to bottom every couple of weeks at a minimum.  I told you this could be a pain in the neck.

You will need to thoroughly scrub pretty much everything and wash anything that is washable.  The cage itself should also be scrubbed down with soapy water (or possibly bleach water) as well.  When you do this, make sure that everything has also been rinsed thoroughly too.  By now you should realize that part of ferret proofing is considering anything that the ferret could end up getting into its mouth.

If you have allergies or are otherwise sensitive to doing this kind of cleaning, that might be a good excuse to pass this chore off to another family member.  There are also cleaners specifically designed for cleaning ferret cages.  They are made to not only clean, but also to do away with any unpleasant odors.  I like one particular "green" cleaner that is made for this job that is also pretty cheap as pet supplies go.  You can check it out here.

Seriously, I doubt that anyone looks forward to cleaning out a ferret cage.  It is right up there with walking around and scooping dog poop out of the yard.  It is a necessary thing to do though, and, even if your ferrets can't tell you, they will certainly appreciate having a clean living environment.

Is Buying a Ferret Illegal?

Even though you will often find them listed as "exotic pets", ferrets have been around as domesticated animals for thousands of years. Today they are somewhat of a trendy pet even though there are bans against owning them or permit restrictions in some areas of the United States and in some other countries. Whether or not these bans are reasonable or not is a subject of debate, but before taking on ownership of a ferret, you should check your local laws for requirements and restrictions.

Is a Ferret the Right Pet for YOU?

Assuming that you are allowed to own ferrets where you live, you should also consider carefully whether owning a ferret is right for you. These little guys can be fun to own, but they present challenges unique to their species and they should not be expected to act like the cats or dogs you may be become accustomed to owning. This is certainly not to put people off of owning ferrets as pets, but there are already too many abandoned ferrets in ferret shelters and ferret rescue facilities as a result of people thinking that ferret adoption would be "fun" without taking into account the work that would be involved.

Why Read a Site About Ferrets?

As this site grows, it will be our goal to find and present everything ferret related that we can think of to help you to learn about ferrets as pets. We recommend that before you buy a ferret, you do some research. Reading websites like this one and others related to owning a ferret is a good start. It would also be wise to get yourself a quality ferret book that serves as a guide to ferret ownership so that you can grab it at any time and look up particular issues quickly, should any arise.

Some topics you should consider as you learn about ferret care are:

• What ferret supplies will you need to purchase?
• The cost and size of ferret cages and the best location for one in your home. (You can find cheap ferret cages if you will consider a used model, but don't buy poor quality cages).
• Ferret food - what will you feed your new pet?  Ferrets need a healthy diet to meet their nutritional needs.  Properly balanced ferret food is available online.  Depending on where you live, you might have a difficult time finding it locally.
• Ferret odor - although often exaggerated, this can be an issue for some people who are particularly sensitive to odors and who own ferrets that have not been fixed or de-scented.  Most people prefer to have their pet de-scented.  Find out if the pet has had these procedures done before buying it.
• How much ferret training are you willing to do?  How much time you put in will determine what kind of results you get.  It's common sense.
• Is there somewhere near you that you can buy a ferret?  Buy from someone reputable.  If there has been too much inbreeding, genetic problems become more likely to appear.
• Where will you get your ferret supplies and how much will they cost?  Ferrets supplies are not nearly as easy to find as those for dogs and cats.  My favorite place for price and selection is Amazon.  Everything you need will be delivered right to your door.  Here is a link to see ferret supplies on Amazon.com.  Checking now, there were almost 2,500 items listed.  Good luck finding that many ferret accessories at your local pet shop!

This is only a partial list, but it should get you thinking as you prepare for owning a pet ferret. Owning a ferret can be a great experience. They are a pleasure to own most of the time, but you should go into the experience knowing what to expect and with your eyes wide open to all of the challenges that pet ownership brings with it.

Ferret Tips and Ferret Facts

Here are some helpful tips and ideas to help you become the best ferret owner that you can be:

• Ferrets are not low maintenance pets.  It's recommended that they get several hours of playtime and exercise every day.  A good portion of that time should involve you playing with your pet.  If you want a well adjusted ferret, you'll have to put some time into it.
• Remember that there will be veterinarian care needed for your new pet.  Check to see if there is a local vet around who will treat ferrets.  If there isn't, find out where the closest one is located and decide whether you are willing to drive your pet that far when it is needed (for shots and/or regular care)
  

  This ferret cage is not very expensive and is presently eligible for free shipping from Amazon. Click on the image for the current updated details and to read reviews.

• Buy your ferret from a reputable breeder who can speak intelligently about the ferret you will be buying.
• The fact that ferrets have little natural fear can sometimes lead them into precarious situations.  Be diligent in your ferret proofing of the house.
• Talk to your vet about medications your ferret might need.  This would include heart worm preventatives.
• Get your ferret some toys to keep it entertained.  They do sleep quite a bit, but they are very active when awake.  Without some type of activity to keep it amused, a ferret may find a source of entertainment that you do not approve of.  Make sure that these toys can handle the chewing your fuzzy little friend will be giving it.  Small, chewed off pieces can be a choking hazard for your pet.
• When you take your ferret out in the car, use a carrier and strap the carrier down securely.  Don't let your ferret run loose while your driving.
• Learn to pay attention to the sounds your ferret makes.  Know what a contented sound is, as well as a sound that signals distress.
• Never leave your ferret unsupervised if it is out of its cage.  They almost certainly will end up in trouble.  Their curious nature leads them into all kinds of hazards.
• A common ferret problem is intestinal blockages caused by eating things that were not meant to be eaten.  Get down on the floor, at ferret eye level, and look around for potentially dangerous items or things that your pet might decide to eat.
• Please, do NOT cheap out on the cage for your ferret.  Ferret cages are meant to provide a safe place for your pet to spend a large portion of its life.  Give it room to move and get something that will close securely so that you don't ever have to go on ferret hunts in your own home.  Don't even think about trying to use a cardboard box.  Your ferret will make short work of getting out.
• There are already tons of homeless ferrets.  Consider getting your pet spayed or neutered.
• Because ferrets do have a tendency to explore, you might want to get a microchip implanted in it, just like they do for dogs.
• When choosing ferret bedding, remember that these guys do like to snuggle in and burrow.  They also can spend a lot of time sleeping.  Don't worry.  They are just storing up energy for their play time!  Some ferrets like hammocks, while others do not.  Some of them like tents...other don't.  You'll have to see what your pet's preferences are and go with that.
• Some people like to buy ferret clothes and dress their pets up.  Ferret hoodies seem to be pretty popular nowadays.  If you are going to do this because of the cuteness factor, only keep them dressed up while you're showing them off.  Some clothes could end up being a hazard to your pet.
• There are many ferret accessories available for purchase now that ferrets have caught on as semi-popular domestic pets.  What you buy is up to you, but you probably don't need to buy every single thing when you are just starting out.  I can't stress enough that looking into quality ferret cages should be a top priority so that you never have to deal with an escape or a lost ferret.
• Please remember that ferrets have a life span that could range anywhere from 5 to 11 years.  Don't get one unless you are willing to care for it for that long.

Ferrets can be great pets for the right person. They have playful personalities in general, and they're fun to be around and to watch. Thank you for visiting and please take a look around. This site will continue to grow, so please stop back whenever you need ferret information.  In the sidebar, you will find some suggestions for a pet ferret starter kit. You might not need everything you see there, but take a look to make sure you are all set before you bring your new friend home.  If you click on the images, they'll take you to a listing for the product on Amazon.com that will give you a full description, along with any customer reviews.  The ferret supplies shown on our site are sourced through Amazon because they are extremely reliable, they include loads of reviews, they often offer discounted shipping, and their prices are usually the best around. Thanks for reading!  CLICK HERE to check out the savings now.

You will probably be getting a ferret cage with a wire bottom.  These should have some type of covering over them to protect your ferret's feet and to make it a more comfortable place.  Some people will throw in an old piece of carpeting, but that can hold odors and ferrets sometimes snag their claws in it.  You can also put something solid across the bottom like plexiglass.  Over this layer is where you will put your ferret's bedding material.

Ferrets like to have something soft that they can snuggle into comfortably.  A lot of people like to get their pet ferret a hammock or a sleep sack.  There are even little tents available to ensure privacy if you feel that is necessary.  Remember that no matter how cute things look after you set things up, you will have to maintain things.  Bedding material should be kept clean and should be made of fabric that is durable enough to withstand a snuggling and digging ferret.  Whatever you choose for bedding, you should check it often for damage since ferrets do have claws and teeth that can be tough on fabrics even if they don't really mean to be.

Ferret Bedding Options

You will find that since ferrets have become quite popular, there are now a lot of different options available for you to choose from in almost any type of ferret supplies.  Ferret bedding can now be found in matching sets and in a variety of patterns to fit whatever theme you like.  Of course you can go with the most basic themes or even make the bedding yourself if you have a creative streak and the ability to get crafty.  Just be sure that it is safe for your ferret.  Watch closely to be sure that any ferret bedding materials that you make yourself are not getting chewed up and eaten (which can result in an intestinal blockage).  Below you will find a nice variety of ferret bedding options including the hammocks and tents I mentioned previously. Click on any of the images to learn more about them or to see similar items (there are a TON to see)!

Carefresh Ultra Pet Bedding 11lb	Super Pet Ferret Super Sleeper, Cuddle-E-Cup with Hang-Tag, Colors Vary
Super Pet Ferret Super Sleeper, Sleep-E-Tent, Colors Vary	Super Pet Ferret Super Sleeper, Cuddle-E-Cup with Poly-Bag, Colors Vary
Marshall Ferret Leisure Lounge, Colors may Vary	Super Pet Ferret Super Sleeper. Fuzz-E-Floor, Colors Vary

Ferrets can sleep a lot, but when they are awake, they LOVE to play!  It is a good idea to make sure that your ferret has plenty of safe ferret toys to play with when he's feeling playful.  There are many different types of toys available for ferret owners to choose from, but you should always make certain that whatever you choose is safe for your pet.

Ferret toys should be made of materials that are resistant to your ferret's teeth and claws.  They should not be allowed to play with things that can be chewed up and swallowed by accident.  Soft plastic squeaky toys are cute, but could be very dangerous to your pet ferret.  Ferrets who swallow pieces of these toys can end up with blockages in their digestive tract that can be very dangerous.

Good items for a ferret to play with would include hard rubber or hard plastic toys and balls.  Softer toys should be resistant to chewing and watched closely for signs of wear.  Any toy that looks as though it has been damaged deserves your attention so that your pet does not swallow any of it.  Ferrets have a more difficult time passing these "non-food" items through their systems than larger pets do.  The safest bet is to never let them swallow pieces of toys in the first place.

Ferrets like to gather "stuff" whether it is yours or theirs.  Giving them some toys of their own can help to satisfy their desire for interesting things and keep them away from items that they shouldn't be allowed to have.  Before purchasing any ferret toy, check with the seller to ensure that it is safe for ferrets to play with and that it is designed for ferret use (if the information isn't included in the description).

Below, you will find a sampling of popular ferret toys. Click on any of them to see reviews from Amazon buyers.

Popular Ferret Toys

Marshall Polar Ferret Toys Asst, 2-Pack	Marshall Ferret Tumble Toy
Marshall Ferret Octo-Play	Super Pet FerreTrail Fun-nel Playground Tube Kit, Colors Vary
Marshall Ferret Hide-N-Sleep Alligator	Marshall Ferret Bed Bug Play Center
Marshall Ferret Super Thru-Way	Super Pet FerreTrail Roll-About Ball Toy, Colors Vary

Getting a pet ferret is sort of a trendy thing to do nowadays.  When you see those cute little guys wrestling with each other or snuggling on their owner, they can look so adorable that you just want to get one for yourself.  There is no doubt that ferrets can make great pets, but they require some getting used to if you have only owned more common pets like cats and dogs.  Before you decide to get yourself or your family a pet ferret, you owe it to yourself and the animal to do a little bit of research and make sure that a ferret is the right pet for you.

Some sources say that people have kept pet ferrets for thousands of years.  Domesticated pet ferrets are actually quite common, but they have gotten a bit of a bad reputation.  They are not cats and they are not dogs.  It is not fair really to compare them to either of these animals.  Although they look like rodents to some people, they are not.  They are actually carnivores and are related to animals like weasels, minks, and polecats.  Even writing this makes it sound as though they are wild animals and that just isn't true.  They have been domesticated for many years, and do well as pets for the right owner.

Pet ferrets do not really get a very big.  Females are typically smaller than males and neutered males will usually top out at 4 pounds.  There can be individual differences in the animals, and you may see them bulk up during the colder winter months and begin to thin out once spring arrives.

Some people worry because they have heard that ferrets smell bad.  The family of animals that they belong to all have scent glands in their anus.  This family of animals includes skunks, so you can see where the bad reputation comes from.  Most pet ferrets are de-scented so this really is not an issue.  But even ferrets that still have their scent glands will not smell anywhere near as bad as a skunk.

If you do decide to get a pet ferret, you will learn a couple of things quickly.  Ferrets like to sleep a lot.  Sometimes a pet ferret will sleep 18 to 20 hours each day.  When they are awake however, they can be extraordinarily playful.  A pet ferret will adjust its schedule according to that of its human owner.  You should definitely only consider getting yourself a pet ferret if you have the time and energy to put in to playing with it on a daily basis.  Of course, you may also want to consider getting your pet ferret a friend to keep him company.  Ferrets love to play with each other.  If you want your ferret to be happy, you must be sure that it will have enough exercise and attention to meet its needs.  They will not be happy living a solitary life in a cage without any attention.  They really should have at least a couple hours of play time each day.

Another consideration if you are thinking about getting a pet ferret, is the cost.  Most likely, you are not set up with fdrret pet supplies.  You'll need to get your pet some accessories to meet its basic needs.  Before you ever get your pet ferret, you should make sure that you have purchased all necessary supplies.  You cannot simply put your ferret in a box and walk away.  He will be out before you make it out of the room.  A proper ferret cage should be purchased if you intend to keep a ferret as a pet.  You also should ferret proof your home thoroughly.

If you have ever owned a small puppy, you have gotten a little taste of what an animal can get into if it is curious.  Well, ferrets are very curious.  Ferrets can get into just about anything.  Before you bring your new pet ferret home, you should make sure that he will not be able to get to things like electrical cords or heating ducts.  You may actually want to get down on the ground at ferret level and take a look at things from that point of view.  If it catches your eye, it will catch the ferret's eye too.  It is your responsibility as a ferret owner to ensure your pets safety.  Ferret proofing your house is essential.

I will be writing more about ferret ownership in upcoming posts.  If you're thinking about taking on a pet ferret, just be fair to yourself and the animal.  Realize that owning a ferret can be an adventure.  It is not the same as owning a cat, dog, bird or any other domestic animal that you may have taken as a pet previously.  I'm not saying that it is better or worse, just different.  Do your ferret research, and be sure that a ferret is the right pet for you.  I certainly do not want to discourage anyone from owning a pet ferret.  I just think people should go into it with a full understanding of the commitment they are making, so that we don't end up with even more abandoned