Selecting a Ferret as a Pet

Let's first make sure that a ferret is the right pet for you. The following questions should be answered "Yes" or we respectfully ask you to reconsider a ferret as your choice of a companion pet.

1. Have you done your research; spoken and visited with ferret owners or local shelter?

2. Have you read about the housing, nutritional, exercise and medical needs of the ferret?

3. Are you ready to make a long-term commitment to the love and care of your ferret, knowing that a ferret has a potential life-span of 15 years?

4. Are you prepared to feed your ferret quality ferret food?

5. Are you prepared to visit the vet once a year for vaccinations and check-up?

6. If you rent, are you allowed to have a ferret?

7. Are their other animals in your house that could threaten or be threatened by a ferret? These could be Terrier breeds and large and/or aggressive dogs.

8. Are there existing pets that could be harmed by a ferret? These could be rabbits, kittens, snakes and amphibians.

9. Can you spend one to three hours a day nurturing and supervising the exercise and playtime of your ferret?

10. Are their children under five years or are you planning a family?

11. Can you ferret-proof your house?

These questions are asked to help you with your decision. Many of the ferrets in shelters are a result of the owners facing the above-questions after they have brought a ferret into their home. In helping you make the right decision we encourage you to ask us your questions before you make your selection.

If you have decided that a ferret is the companion for you, we encourage you to seek out your local ferret shelter and adopt. Along with a loving, in-need pet you also have the wisdom of your new acquaintance, the Shelter Director.

If this is the first ferret for you , we encourage a selection of a ferret that is 6 months or more. The reason for this is handling experience. Just as puppies or kittens, ferrets have to deal with teething. Kits (baby ferrets) go thru a temporary phase of having double teeth. Unlike puppies or kittens, ferrets temporary and permanent teeth are in the gums at the same time! Ferrets teething is much harder than dogs or cats because it is a much shorter period of time. This time period starts when they are about 6 weeks and development continues until they are 12 weeks old. It's also important to know that ferrets have bad eyesight. Therefore, their senses of smell and hearing are acute. Never eat a bucket of chicken, go to handle or kiss your ferret and not expect a nip. I have been told by many ferrets that fingers and lips taste like chicken. You have been forewarned. Should a ferret nip, don't react no yanking back, no yelling this will only scare the ferret and he/she may do a "fear bite".