FERRETS: Are You Right For Them?
Not all humans are “right” for ferrets. You must first ask yourself if you have the quirky personality that ferrets need from humans. Are you ready to play (or sleep) at a moment’s notice? Do you mind cleaning up poopies from every corner? Will you vaccinate, house, feed and entertain your ferrets properly?
This guide will not cover every aspect of living with ferrets. It is meant to give you a glimpse of of “the ferret lifestyle”. More in-depth information on these interesting creatures can be found on the internet. PLEASE - take the time to do a bit of research! Ferrets, for instance, can live up to an average of eight years. You must be ready to commit your time, love and money for a long time!
While the initial costs of buying or, better yet, adopting a ferret are high….the lifetime costs can be astronomical! A good cage runs at least $100 - $200, each bag of ferret food costs between $6 and $20 - then add in treats, supplements, toys and bedding!!
Vet expenses are not limited to yearly vaccinations, either! Ferrets are predisposed to diseases that require life-long treatments and/or surgeries.
So - with all that (and more!) - why do I bother keeping ferrets in my life? Well, it’s hard to say. I’ve had a lot of different pets, but ferrets tug at my heartstrings in a special way. However, seeing people buy and then “get rid of” these bundles of fur really upsets me. PLEASE do the research, check the internet, offer to “babysit” a friend’s ferrets or volunteer at a ferret shelter — and do it BEFORE you get that first little fuzzy!
Afterall, it’s better to discover that you’re not right for ferrets BEFORE they fall in love with you!