Ferrets can bring a lot of joy to a family due to their entertaining, playful, and mischievous nature. If you have the time to play with them by taking them out of their cages every day, these interactive and cuddly pets are perfect for you. But you need to know that ferrets are not suitable as pets for everyone, although most owners love having them as pets. Here are a few things you need to know before you get a ferret as a pet.
They Need A Lot Of Exercise
Ferrets are generally quite active. They like tumbling, running, and skidding across the floor in between the time they are snoozing. The younger ferrets can get under your foot a lot as they love chasing toys and nibbling on your toes. You should get them a cage where they can move about a bit so they are not completely sedentary.
Invest in a good ferret cage setup so you can let them out of their cage easily, as they will overeat if you don’t let them out of the cage for regular exercise. So getting a ferret will mean you have to invest a lot of time playing with them.
Ferrets Get Into Everything
Ferrets are known to chew and dig on pretty much everything, especially when they are younger. They will also steal and hide your items under beds, in closets, or any other secret place in stockpiles. If you haven’t got something nailed down and made of foam or rubber, you will most likely find it inside your ferret’s mouth. If they ingest foreign objects, it can lead to obstructions in their gastrointestinal tracts.
Electrical cords that are strewn across your home can also be a potential hazard. This is why you must supervise it strictly when it is out of the cage. You must ferret-proof an area of the house so your pet can run about freely. Also, don’t leave items like socks, shoes, and other items loose on the floor that your ferret might chew on.
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Ferrets Need Companions
Typically, ferrets seek out the company of other ferrets or their human family as they are social creatures. This is why many ferret owners take more than one ferret as a pet. But you must remember that not all ferrets like the company of other ferrets. It is important to watch over them carefully for the first few days if you get more than one ferret.
Do this regularly before you decide to leave them alone. You must also take care that each ferret gets the same access to toys, food, and places for sleeping and hiding things. This is important so that the ferrets don’t fight over resources.
You Need To Vaccinate Your Ferret
In states where keeping ferrets as pets is legal, the law requires that you vaccinate your pet ferret for rabies. Ferrets are susceptible to the canine distemper virus, a deadly virus that usually affects dogs. This is why they must be vaccinated against this virus too. Baby ferrets should get all the vaccines by the time they are approximately 4 months old. This should start with a series of three distemper vaccines, spaced three weeks apart from when they are two months old.
Once this is completed, your pet ferret must get an annual booster vaccine for rabies and distemper. Your pet ferret might live indoors, but you can still bring in the canine distemper virus from your shoes and clothes. Your indoor ferret may come into contact with bats and other wildlife that carries the rabies virus. Also be informed of all the required pest management tips that you should know to keep your ferret safe.
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Summing Up
A ferret is a good choice if you are looking for a playful, spirited, and energetic companion. They do require some space to run around and significant attention from you. They will also need to be looked after more as they age. If you are prepared to invest time in this commitment, the ferret can be your perfect pet.
