Ferrets are silly, energetic, and mischievous pets, but don’t let their looks fool you — they’re smart enough to learn tricks, love socializing with their fellow ferrets, and can form really meaningful bonds with people. While they’re definitely considered a “low-maintenance” pet, they’re still a big responsibility (and a big source of love).
From balancing their diets and giving them plenty of play time to getting check-ups at the vet and keeping their homes clean, there’s plenty to know before you get your fuzzy friends! That’s why, in this quick guide to pet ferrets, we’re going to explore the top five things to prepare for.
1. Ferrets are a Social Bunch
They might not be as people-oriented as dogs, but ferrets are very smart pets who love to socialize. Ideally, they’ll have more than just their owners to hang out with. After all, you’d get pretty lonely cooped up in a room too, right? With a ferret friend, your pets will have plenty of opportunities to talk, play, and stay stimulated. Otherwise, your pet might get bored, depressed, and just overall gloomy.
2. Ferrets Have a…Unique Smell
If you’ve ever been around wild ferrets before, you’ve probably deduced that they have scent glands. Those glands release that powerful musky smell that you definitely don’t want in your home. That’s why many domestic ferrets have been “descented,” which is a surgical procedure that removes those glands. It doesn’t get rid of the smelliness of your ferrets completely, but it substantially reduces it.
If you feel bad that you have to put your pets through surgery for your own comfort, then understand that descenting surgery isn’t necessary. While popular for domestic ferrets, you can always ventilate and clean the ferret room to keep the smell under control!
3. Ferrets Need Check-Ups Too
Some people approach less-common pets like ferrets, hamsters, and reptiles as lower maintenance animals than your typical cat and dog. While in some ways that’s true, your uncommon pet still needs to get regular checkups to make sure they’re in tip-top shape! Like all animals, ferrets have particular health issues that they’re susceptible to, and they’re counting on you to take care of them.
One common condition is an adrenal gland disease, which isn’t fully understood and has no complete cure. If your ferret has this disease, they might lose their hair, get vulvic enlargement and prostatic inflammation, become aggressive, and itch all day. So get your pets looked at regularly to keep them as happy and comfortable as possible!
4. Ferrets Wouldn’t Mind Some Fresh Food
Ferrets have very particular diets — ideally, they’ll consume food that has a bunch of protein and fat and limited carbohydrates. While a typical commercial ferret food will check all of these boxes, some pet owners feel like that limits their quality of life (like dogs eating the same dry kibble all day, every day)! If you want to spice things up for your pet ferrets, you can look up recipes that incorporate foods like raw meat, dairy, and eggs.
5. Ferrets Need a Big, Fun, and Cozy Home
Since your ferret will spend most of its life in a cage, it’s really, really important that they have everything they need to live happy, exciting, and healthy lives. Beyond physical health, there’s a lot to consider regarding mental health. These are the biggest checkboxes to fill while you’re getting your ferret home ready!
Space: Adult ferrets are around 20 inches long from snout to tail! Make sure you overestimate the size of your cage. Ideally, you’ll get a big, perhaps even multistaged, cage with plenty of room for toys, structures, food, water, and waste. The first floor is perfect for potty time, the second for play time, and the third for sleeping time. They’ll be very thankful.
Fun: Ferrets are smart and social, and as such, they require a lot of mental stimulation. Make sure they have tubes to crawl through, structures to climb, burrows to crawl into, and plenty of ferret toys to keep them occupied. Since most ferrets need buddies, make sure there’s enough for everyone!
Coziness: Ferrets are cuddly pets. Make sure they have plenty of nooks to hang out in and ample bedding to sleep in. They love t-shirts, towels, blankets, cloth bags, and especially ferret hammocks!
Free Time: Cages are not permanent homes for your ferrets — they’re just where your pet will stay while you aren’t spending time with them. Ferrets, like all pets, require ample time to roam and feel free in safe play areas. Just remember that these escape artists will take advantage of even the smallest openings!
Help a Ferert, Help Yourself
Pets are remarkable at keeping us healthy — they get us off the couch, give us plenty of love, and bring us so much joy. If you’re an animal lover, you may benefit from an emotional support animal or exploring animal-assisted therapy. I’d be happy to give you more information. Feel free to read more here or contact me!