Do Ferrets Make a Good Pet?

When animal lovers speak of ferrets as pets, some people get an image of a weasel-like animal that bites and has an offensive odor. However, after dogs and cats, the most common pet to have roaming around a home is a ferret, according to the Ferret Information and Rescue Shelter and Trust Society. What makes these adorable furry animals wonderful pets? Perhaps it is their playful nature and their need to be in the presence of humans.

  1. Ferrets as Pets

    • Ferrets make good pets. They have the best characteristics of cats and dogs along with some unique to them, according to The American Ferret Association. These animals are playful, social and loving. While they are known for their independence, they love being around humans and playing with them. They are intelligent animals and can be litter trained. Keeping a pet ferret requires some commitment, and you should be willing to spend time playing and interacting with the animal.

    Ferrets With Kids and Pets

    • These loving animals get on well with older children, as long as the children know how to hold the ferrets without causing them pain or harm. They can spend hours playing with kids. However, young children should not be left alone with the animal for their own as well as the animal's sake. Ferrets get along with cats and dogs generally, but should be kept away from smaller pets, such as birds, reptiles, hamsters, guinea pigs and gerbils.

    Feeding a Pet Ferret

    • Ferrets are carnivorous pets and subsist on meat. Pet shops sell food especially formulated for ferrets which should contain 36 percent animal proteins, 20 percent fats and negligible amounts of carbohydrates. Do not feed ferrets food rich in carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, cereals and grains, as it could result in cancer or gastrointestinal problem. Typically, ferrets eat food when they are hungry, so it is advisable to keep dry food in their feeding bowl. They also require fresh water every day.

    Caging a Pet Ferret

    • When pet ferrets are not under human supervision, it is best to keep them in a large cage for their own safety. Ferrets are curious animals and have a tendency to explore and investigate their surroundings. They can swallow small objects, hide in small enclosed spaces or escape outside, where they will be unable to survive. However, do not keep the ferret constantly caged. Ferrets are extremely active animals and require regular exercise and play time, according to The American Ferret Association.

    Housing a Pet Ferret

    • Ensure that the living area of the ferret is big enough for it to roam around and play. Keep soft bedding for sleeping along with toys and a litter tray. Ferrets require a certain temperature in their living environment. Maintain a temperature between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for the animal to be comfortable. They can tolerate cold temperatures, but not hot temperatures, so ensure that the temperature does not go above 85 degrees.

    Exercise for a Pet Ferrets

    • They require regular exercise and company of humans. Let the ferret out for at least four hours every day to play in a ferret-proof room. Ferrets love playing with socks, bags and boxes. Have these around for your pet ferret during its play time. The American Ferret Association recommends a minimum of two hours' interaction with humans every day to keep the ferret hale and hearty.

    Grooming a Pet Ferret

    • Fortunately, ferrets are clean animals and spend time regularly grooming themselves. However, they shed twice a year and during those periods require regular combing to remove loose and dead hair. They do not require frequent baths. Hence, limit the bath to when the ferret appears visibly dirty. They need nail trimming and ear cleaning every week. Clean teeth once a month using specialized ferret toothpaste and a pet toothbrush.

    Spaying or Neutering a Pet Ferret

    • As there is no profit involved in ferret breeding, it is best to get pet ferrets altered. Spay or neuter your pet ferret by the time it is 9 months old, according to The American Ferret Association. Female ferrets can get aplastic anemia if they do not mate. This is a fatal disease. Hence, spaying is recommended. Male ferrets tend to give off a strong odor it they are not neutered and this odor can be offensive for many ferret owners.

    Health Care

    • Take your pet ferret to a vet once a year for general checkup and teeth cleaning, if necessary. Also, get the vet to vaccinate your pet against rabies and canine distemper. The vet may also perform test to check whether the animal is a carrier of the Aleutian disease virus, which can be transmitted to humans.