Everything to Know About Getting a Ferret

If you plan on getting a ferret, here’s everything you need to know for planning ahead.

Even though you might be excited about the prospect of owning a baby ferret, such as a black footed ferret, there are several important points you need to keep in mind. Take a look at a few facts you need to know, and don’t forget to find a local vet who can help you care for your ferret.
What do you need to know about getting a ferret for yourself or your family?

1. Are Ferrets Legal in Your Area?

First, you need to take a look at the rules and regulations in your local area. There are some places where you are not allowed to own ferrets at all. For example, if you live in California, Hawaii, or New York City, it’s against the law to own a ferret. In addition, there are a lot of other cities and towns across the United States that do not allow you to own a ferret. Make sure to take a look at the laws in your municipality to make sure you are allowed to own a ferret.

2. Are You Up For the Time Commitment?

A lot of people believe that a ferret is like owning a dog or a cat. In reality, this is not the case. Even though you need to have a reliable ferret cage, you need to let your ferret out of the cage for several hours every day. Unlike a dog, you shouldn’t take your eyes off of the ferret. Ferrets are known to run away, so you need to watch them closely. They also like to chew on things, so you need to watch them to make sure they don’t ruin your furniture. Ferrets do have teeth, and they bite sometimes, so it’s important to make sure they are not a threat to your friends, neighbors, or children.

3. Is Your Ferret Vaccinated?

You also need to make sure that you get your ferret vaccinated. Your ferret needs to go to the vet regularly. There are a lot of vets that take care of dogs and cats, but not every veterinarian is trained to take care of a ferret. Ferrets can carry rabies, so they need to get their rabies shots, along with a wide variety of other vaccinations.
You also need to make sure that your ferret is either spayed or neutered. This is similar to owning a dog or a cat, and it is important for population control. If you do not take your ferret to the vet regularly, he or she could get sick.

4. Can You Handle Two Ferrets?

Ferrets are very social animals, so if you can handle one, you may want to get two. If you only have one ferret, your ferret will likely become depressed, and he or she will not be as active or happy as they could be. Even though it can be expensive to own two animals, you will provide your ferret with a much better quality of life.

5. Do You Have Everything You Need?

You need to make sure you have everything you need to provide your ferret with a good life. This means you need to have food, treats, a litter box, plenty of bedding, a cage, and toys that your ferret can chew on.
In addition, you need to make sure that you ferret-proof your house. This means that you should close your windows, block caps underneath the doors, and push your furniture against the wall. You need to make sure that you remove any fragile items that your ferret could knock over, and make sure your ferret cannot chew on electrical cords.
Ferrets may bite other animals, so if you own other animals, make sure they are out of reach of the ferret. When you are looking for a cage, it should be at least six cubic feet in size per ferret.

Consider Getting a Ferret

These are just a few of the most important points you need to keep in mind if you are thinking about getting a ferret. Even though it can be a lot of fun to own a ferret, they do require quite a bit of work. The most important thing you need to remember is that you should find a veterinarian who can help you take care of the ferret. That way, you always have someone to go to if you have questions or concerns.
Although they are cute, ferrets are known to produce odors that can be quite pungent in your home. One option to combat this odor is a CritterZone Air Naturalizer, which is both an air purifier for pets and your home as well as a pet odor eliminator.