Ferrets Pets Toys
ferrets as pets?
I really want a ferret, but I'm not sure if I should get one do to the cost, I have two dogs that are fairly expensive for yearly vet checks and imergencies. Is there really any way to keep owning a ferret cheaper. I'm not worried about buying the ferret itself because I might adopt a ferret for $ 50-$100 including cage, shampoo, toys, and other needed things but I worry about the yearly cost for the vet and food?
Ferrets are one of the most active, lively, wonderful pets I have ever had the pleasure of being 'owned' by! I've been owned by ferrets for almost 14 years now with as many as 15 at one time, at present I have 3. Ferrets live on average between 6-9 years. The cheapest part of getting a ferret is buying/adopting the ferret and getting the accessories for your ferret. Ferrets as they age are 'VERY HIGH maintenance' pets, don't let anyone kid you! Generally when they hit 4 years old they encounter some type of common ferret illness such as adrenal gland disease, lymphoma, insulinoma or cardiomyopathy to name a few. Of my 18 ferrets over the years I have only had one that was over the age of 4 that has nothing wrong with her and that's Molly, she's 6 years old. Right now I spend $200.00 a month on medications alone for the 3 that I have; Callie is on Lurpon (for her adrenal issues) and prednisone for her insulinoma (low blood glucose) . Zoe has Cardiomyopathy (heart disease) and gets Enacard and Lasix everyday along with monthly injections of Lupron for her adrenal issues. These expenses don't even cover yearly shots. When I had 15 ferrets my yearly 'vet' cost was well over $7000.00!!! Ferrets are also 'very' intelligent creatures and if you cage them they need out at least 3-4 hours a day for exercise and exploration; to leave one continually caged is depressing and cruel to the ferret. You must ferret-proof the area in which you are going to let them play as they can get into many, many things, including your box springs!!
I would highly recommend buying the book, 'Ferrets for Dummies', by Kim Schilling, this is an excellent resource of information!!
Here is a great website to ask yourself about a ferret:
http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/ferr...
This is a great website coving ferret illnesses:
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
Also, over bathing ferrets will make them smell worse!! Ferrets have necessary oils in their skin, when bathed this strips those needed oils so the ferrets body goes into overtime trying to replenish those lost oils, thus making your ferret smell worse!! I have not bathed my ferrets in YEARS! People tell me how 'good' my ferrets smell, I also use 'Downy' fabric softener in their bedding wash load. The secret to a good smelling ferret is keeping their bedding washed and changed at least once a week, keeping the cage cleaned weekly, changing /cleaning litter boxes daily and keeping their ears clean.
As for food, ferrets require higher protein and fat than cats, although there are some 'premium' kitten foods that meet their nutritional requirements and not all ferret foods are good foods. It's best to have one high in animal protein and fat with protein being between 30-45% and fat being over 15%
Some of my favorite pictures of my fur kids
Some eating their 'Duck Soup'
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL18/606693/1041797/92926977.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL18/606693/1041797/22118505.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL18/606693/1041797/92311861.jpg
Best wishes and I hope this helps with your decision!
Edited to add:
It always amazes me when people say that ferrets aren't expensive to take care of???? I also work with the local 501c3 ferret shelter for the past 12 years, whom houses anywhere between 20-55 ferrets at any given time!! You know what ferrets are generally in the shelter??? Ferrets over the age of 4 years old that have health issues from people dumping them when they start getting expensive. Go ahead and call 'any' ferret shelter, they'll tell you they are very expensive. Join some 'ferret forums', those people will also tell you the same as myself. I am an administrator of a ferret forum and belong to 'many'. Bottom line, ferrets are wonderful pets BUT they are VERY EXPENSIVE to care for when they age! Of course if you ignore their illnesses and don't take the necessary steps to seek medical help then that's just plain irresponsible and I won't even address that topic!
Ferret Toys : Homemade Toys for Pet Ferrets
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