Things to Know Before You Get a New Ferret
If you are looking at purchasing a new ferret then you will have a friend for life if you give it the love and attention it needs. Ferrets are very energetic, even though they sleep for up to 16 hours a day, and will require lots of exercise and play time with you.
While they seem like the ideal pet for many people, there are some things to be considered before purchasing a ferret.
Where to Buy
There are a number of places where you can purchase a ferret.
1. Pet stores. Most people purchase their new pet from these stores.
2. Breeders. This is probably the best place to purchase your new ferret from as most breeders will give you valuable help and information as regards to looking after your new pet.
What You Will Need:
Feeding Bowl and Water Container
The food bowl for a new ferret should be large and heavy enough so that the ferret doesn’t think it’s a toy and throw it everywhere so a good large, deep bowl should be used. Your ferret will also need access to plenty of clean, fresh water, so a water bowl or drinking tray attached to the side of the cage is ideal.
Cage
Even if you plan on letting your ferret roam around inside the house it will be a good idea to have a cage for it so it has somewhere to sleep and be safe. Get the largest you can afford.
Food
It’s important to note that some foods, like corn or bread are not suitable for your new ferret. A ferret is a true carnivore so will need a high protein diet consisting of predominantly meat. Some kitten foods are an excellent ferret food but be sure to look at the ingredients carefully, as some will be high in vegetable protein, which isn’t good for your ferret. The ideal scenario would be feeding your new ferret with whole meat like mice and rabbits but most people cannot bear to do that.
Litter box and litter
These are important if you want your ferret house trained. It is a good idea to have more than one litter box spread out around the house to and use wood or paper pellets at the bottom of the boxes if you can as they soak up the waste.
Hygiene
Nail clippers, toothbrush and shampoos all play a part in grooming your new ferret believe it or not. Keeping nails short will stop your ferret from hurting itself when it’s playing, a toothbrush can be used if you see tartar building up on your ferrets teeth. Ferrets don’t like water so you should preferably not bathe your ferret but if you must then a maximum of twice a year should be ok. Bathing your pet too often results in them losing their essential oils.
Toys and Activities
These are an essential part of your ferret’s life and should not be forgotten. You can purchase them from pet shops or other places, even online but do not buy anything made from latex or rubber as your new ferret will chew them up. Always be sure to choose toys that are designed to appeal to your ferret’s inquisitive nature and sense of fun for best results.
Once you bring your new ferret home, you’ll soon realize that you’ve found an adorable, funny little friend who can be affectionate and mischievous all at the same time.
