Ferrets are playful, cuddly, energetic animals that make great pets when cared for properly. Here are some things a ferret needs to be happy and healthy.

Basic Info:

Lifespan: ~8 years, depending on health

Diet: carnivorous

Cost: $200-$400 for the ferret alone

Maintenance: cage cleaning weekly, baths twice a year, clip nails

Level: Advanced

Other: better in groups, at least 2 hours of free roam play time a day

Medical Care

Finding a vet that takes ferrets can be difficult, but as these little fuzzy creatures become more common as pets there are starting to be a lot more options. Because they are exotic pets, ferret vet bills can run you hundreds to even thousands of dollars. With check ups being around $50, two annual vaccines being around $20 each, and any other medical issues that may come up - which are common in ferrets - can cost a lot. You'll want to have money set aside in case a sudden case ear worms, heart issues, tumors, or other diseases pops up. As your ferret gets older, they will be a lot more likely to get sick. 

Habitat

Ferrets have lots of energy, so they shouldn't be kept in a cage all day, needing AT LEAST two hours of free roam playtime a day. For when they do need to sleep or rest in their cage, buy a pretty large cage, depending on the amount of ferrets you have/are getting. Ferret Nation is probably the best brand you can buy a cage from, and for 2-4 ferrets you will need a two level cage from Ferret Nation, and any larger of a business (a group of ferrets) will require multiple cages. If you buy one ferret (which is not recommended, but with the right care is fine) a one level is fine. Do not keep any scented items (candles, air fresheners, etc.) in the same room as a ferret. Ferrets have very strong noses, similar to dogs, and these strong scents can be harmful to them.

Diet

Ferrets are carnivores, and cannot digest anything other than meat. This can make finding the right food a bit tricky, but we're here to show you the best diets for your furry friend! there are two main options when it comes to what to feed your ferret, raw or kibble. A raw diet consists of, well, you guessed it, raw meat! There are many different ways to feed your ferret a raw diet, but the most popular is blending raw meat, which basically makes a soup. For kibble, there are unfortunately only a few good, purely meat brands. We suggest the Wysong brand, which has lots of good dry food, wet food, and supplement options for your ferret.

Enrichment

Ferrets are playful and energetic, so enrichment is a must! Here are some easy ways to entertain your fluffy noodle! 

1. Toys! while you can find small ferret toy sections in pet stores and online, the easiest and biggest varieties are in the cat and dog toy isles! Make sure your toys do not present choking hazards, or have something smelly in them like cat nip or lavender, as scented things are harmful to ferrets.

2. Make a grain bin! simply get an old bin and fill it with raw beans, raw rice, raw macaroni, etc! Just make sure the grains are no smaller than a grain of rice, as this can present a choking hazard.

3. Go on a walk! If you choose, buy your noodle a ferret harness! while they may not walk by your side like a dog, they will still enjoy the outdoors! Just make sure the weather isn't too cold or hot!

4. Simply play with them yourself! Quick movements, dangling toys or blankets, and more will easily get a ferret excited and playful.

Business Playtime

If you have a business of ferrets they will play together, which can seem a little violent. Hissing, biting, and even dragging is perfectly normal. If your ferret drags your other ferret, even attempting to stash them behind/under something basically just means the victim ferret lost the game/play fight, which is perfectly normal. Break the ferrets up if blood is drawn. Ferrets have sharp teeth and thick skin, but playing too rough can be very dangerous.