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