| $ $ Continuous Expenses: $215 - $590 | $ $ $ Primary Expenses: $160 - $990 |
Ferrets are adorable and funny little animals that belong to the weasel family.
Humans started domesticating them to hunt mostly rodents and rabbits, approximately 2,500 years ago. They’re very active and well-known because of their curious habit of stealing or hiding small things.
That’s actually how they got their name: ‘ferret’ comes from furittus, the Latin word for ‘little thief’.
As you can imagine, they’re not the typical pet, but they can be great and fun companions for us humans.
There are a few things that you should know first before getting one, like their main traits and how much you’re going to spend in the short and long term.
Table of Contents
Is A Ferret The Right Pet For Me?
If you have ever seen a ferret, the way they move, how fast, and cute they are, you’re probably thinking you must get one as a pet!
But if you want to keep them healthy and happy, you must be able to provide them with all the attention and things they might need.
Ferrets can live between 6 to 8 years, so you should be prepared for this kind of long-term commitment.
Because of their natural habitat, ferrets can’t survive temperatures over 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ferrets are carnivores, they need a diet with high levels of protein to stay healthy and in good shape.
After all, they were first used to hunt rodents and other small animals, which are their natural prey in the wild.
Although it’s advisable to have cages for ferrets, they should also be let out of the cage for at least four hours a day.
They need the exercise, and this means you should be prepared for these small thieves to hide your stuff and maybe even make a mess in your house.
Experts recommend you should never leave them alone when they’re outside their cage, and maybe even think about proofing your home, just in case.
Check if having a ferret is legal where you live. They are banned in some states.
Primary Expenses
These are the expenses you’ll have to make only once when getting a ferret as a pet.
The cost will be determined by the city or town where you live, and your personal preferences.
Adopting Or Buying A Ferret
Adopting a ferret could be quite difficult.
These pets are not as common as other animals, so they’re generally rare in shelters.
However, if you manage to find one and want to give them a proper home, it should cost between $50 to $100.
If you want to buy a ferret from a breeder or pet store, they will cost from $100 to $500, depending mostly on the breed.
Cage, Food & Water Bowls
Cages prices will vary according to the size and material used.
They tend to live better in bigger cages, so they can move around and exercise when they need it inside the cage.
Cages tend to cost from $60 to $400.
Some will have accessories like hammocks or bedding.
Food and water bowls or dishes generally cost between $10 and $20.
Litter Pan And Toys
Ferrets can be trained to use a litter pan, just like a cat.
But they’ll need pelleted litters to prevent respiratory problems.
Litter pans are usually found from $10 to $45.
Toys are a must for ferrets.
They need to be kept active and entertained, so they won’t destroy your house!
You can give them small balls to play with, chew sticks and they’ll love playing with tubes or small tunnels.
You can find toys for ferrets from $5 to $25.
Continuous expenses
These are the most common things you’ll have to constantly buy when having a ferret as a pet.
Food
Their diet should be high in meat protein, no carbohydrates, fruits, or vegetables.
These can be dangerous for your ferret’s health, so it’s better to avoid them.
Ferret food usually comes either wet -in cans- or dry, in bags.
You can expect to pay from $50 to $250 annually for ferret food.
Litter
Special litter for ferrets, made of pelleted wood or other material that won’t cause any harm to your pet, will likely cost between $15 to $40 per year.
Vet Visits
Ferrets need vaccines for certain viruses like rabies and distemper, regular treatment for parasites, as well as proper annual check-ups and dental cleaning.
You should spend in vet visits a year, from $150 to $300.
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